Santander 2012 Operations Grad Programme

Hi Rachel,

Sorry for the late reply, have you had your phone interview yet?

If so how did it go?

I have one coming up after xmas and was wondering what it involved

Thanks

Hey Rachel,

Could you be so kind and share what questions they asked? It'll be much appreciated :)

Thanks

Hi RachelB and Artful Bodger,

I have a phone interview coming up for the operations graduate job too, could you let me know what they ask please? Also how did you both get on?

Thanks

Hi all. I have Santander online numerical test for Credit Risk role to write within the next 24 hrs. Has anyone taken this before? Can they also give a clue to the types of questions asked?
Thank you.
Francky.

I had a phone interview with them a few days ago for Operations. I don't really know what was asked because the interviewer did not speak English very well at all so I guessed what he was asking! I think he asked why the grad scheme and not general entry, and he asked for an example of when I worked in a team. I have no idea what he was trying to say for the other ones!

Hi Rachael. Could you please tell the type of questions set for the test? Thank you.

Yeefjn124, Please how was the test?

Oh really, that's really bad! Were they spanish or something? Have you heard back? How long did it last for all together? Did they not ask any questions about Santander itself?

I have passed online numerical test and also verbal reasoning test which you do if you pass the numerical test! For the numerical test you just need to make sure you have a calculator and know how to work with percentages and get information from graphs and charts etc. I cannot remember the exact questions, I am sure they will change anyway but I would suggest to do practice tests first! I didn't finish all the questions but I passed the benchmark still, so be more careful on the questions you do answer and try not to just guess before the time goes!

Hi guys

I had a phone interview from Santander for the Operations Grad programme and passed it. I now have an assessment centre scheduled next week and was wondering if anyone knew anything about what Santander's assessment centre is like?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I can help with the telephone interview stage. I have a list of questions noted down!

MH

Thank you SM90

Hey SuperbadDude... how long did you have to wait after you cleared the phone interview to get booked in for the assessment centre? A week ago, I was informed I have cleared the interview, but I still haven't been contacted about the AC dates. Do you think I should get in touch with them?

I think it was about a week between being told I had passed the phone interview and getting confirmation of the assessment centre date. I wouldn't worry about it but ring them to confirm they have scheduled you in for an assessment centre. Which division have you applied?

MH

@SuperbadDude - I also have an AC on Wednesday - Triton Square at 2:30pm-5:30pm?? When's yours?

I did an internship with Santander in their cards division this summer so got fast tracked to the AC stage for their finance programme :-)

My intern AC was just a 1 hour interview with the treasury manager - who became my line manager in the summer :-)

From the info I've had so far it seems this AC will be much longer and in depth than my internship 1 (understandably)

I found this on wiki job but its from 2009 and for internal audit and I know there graduate recruitment and schemes have been totally revamped in the last year or 2 (They didn't even offer internships as Santander UK until this summer - so I was a "guinea pig" so to speak)

".it was pretty standard a/c. first there was a numeracy test, then some written exercise, competency interview and group work. i found the team work the worst thing as i felt more like during the recruitment of the sales or marketing people rather than auditors. but over all very nice HR people, lunch, interviewers. good luck"

@SuperDude... Thanks for that. I have applied to the Operations Programme myself.

Has anyone applied for the Banking Operations (GEOBAN) programme? Any invites for assessment centres?

Hi francky,

For Santander's numerical reasoning test, you should have gone to ---> testgenie.co.uk

@SuperbadDude, Wikisher and SM90, I cleared the numerical and verbal tests. I am scheduled for telephone interview next week. Would you kindly hint me on the types of questions I should expect? Thanks. Francky.

Anyone heard back from the Assessment Centre yet?

jr241, I was at the Santander Operatations Assessment centre last tuesday (24th Jan) at Leicester and I still havent heard anything, I have even tried many time to call them, but I dont seem to get a reply. When was your AC? have you tried emailing or calling them? ? SuperbadDude have you heard anything from them, or anyone who attended the AC on the 24th?? Also for all of you people who have already received feedback from the AC, how long did they take??

I was also at the one in Leicester on the 24th.

Francky ,

Have you had your Telephone interview?

How did it go? do you mind sharing some details?

Thanks.

@tradman27 The interview was conducted by a staff of HR. The questions were based on (i) skills and competencies like example of teamwork, leadership, excellent services rendered, and (ii) motivation for the role. I thought the questions were straight forward and I hope I pass. Do you have one soon? Which role? Good luck.

@SuperbadDude, @jr241 Could you tell us which was the topic of the presentation and the group exercise at the AC?

thanks!!!

Thanks for that Francky.

I do have one next week - Operations.

Good luck too.

Hi MH, I hope you have been doing well with any prep for your assement centre day. I will sit the Numercial Reasoning Test in 3 days for Santander Operations and wondered if you could be kind enough to give me some advice as how to score well on the test.

Many thanks salayi

Hi everyone, hope u all well. I will sit the Numercial Reasoning Test in 3 days for Santander Operations and wondered if you could be kind enough to give me some advice as how to score well on the test.

Many thanks salayi

Check your inbox

Hi all, I hope those of you who had assessment centres, tests and interviews ect did well.

firstly to those asking about the verbal and numerical reasoning tests there is nothing to worry about as long as you practise. most large organisations including santander use SHL who have practise tests on their website (you need to signup just use fake details if your bothered) . if you do a few of them you get the hang of them.

secondly did everyone who completed the telephone interview recieve the same questions as francky?

@Yeefjn124 I think I will have the same guy for my telephone interview, the person who phoned to set a date didnt speak particularly good english :/. it worries me slightly.

@SuperbadDude did you get the same questions as Francky for the interview?

Tommy,

Did you get the same questions as Francky?

@SuperbadDude

Hello, I saw that you posted that you had already taken the telephone interview stage and noted the questions down, I was hoping you could share them with me as I have the telephone interview in a couple of days :). Any help would be much appreciated, and I hope the assesment centre went well! Thanks

AL

Guys,

Apologies for the delay in getting back to all of you.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW 20/25 mins with a spanish guy who has a groggier voice than Kermit and sounds like he's just woken up. Passed it though. Below are the questions which he (or if you're lucky, she) will ask:

Q1 - Describe a time when you delivered exceptional customer service Q2 - Describe a time when you worked under pressure/had a limited time available for completing a project Q3 - When you showed teamwork Q4 - When you showed leadership Q5 - What does the Operations division do Q6 - Why Operations

He'll start by 'eloquently' speaking about the structure for 10-15 mins, so it'll give you a chance to compose yourselves. The tele interview is mostly competency based, but with a little effort in preparing some good rigid answers with structure, you should be fine.

ASSESSMENT CENTRE Apart from a horrendous journey to Narborough, a village on the outskirts of Leicester where the assessment centre was, the day was quite an enjoyable one. Meeting likeminded individuals from across the country, sharing experiences and generally getting a feel for how the company works made it an interesting day. I will say although most of the assessors are quite welcoming, there were a couple that looked like they had a stick up their 'gluteus maximus'. I did and still do feel I did enough to pass on the day but unfortunately I had Tweedledum and Tweedle-flipping-Dee for my interview, and therefore I am on hold. Outcome is next week.

Structure -

Introduction - Interview by senior member

Group Exercise Scored highly on this

- 10 mins individual time to analyse several documents loaded with info. Dont worry, break it down and it's actually very straightforward. No complex concepts to grasp. Regarding business performance of a company and how you can improve it. - 10 mins discussion to come to a conclusion concerning 3 policies which you as a team would pursue and why - 10 mins to present to the assessors. There were around 12 assessors and 8 candidates. They encircled the room as if we were in a Flavian Amphitheatre, armed with clipboards. Nah, I'm kidding. They did encircle the room and were armed with clipboards, but don't think about them and you should be okay!

Presentation 30mins to prepare before you go in to present to two assessors. Scored highly on this.

- Will vary between person to person I think, but research on Santander UK activities, really drive home the point that you know alot about Santander, the market it is in, the volatile market it faces, and what can be done to overcome these challenges

Interview Two assessors, scored weakly on this. 40-50 mins

Describe a task where you demonstrated teamwork Describe a task where you faced a difficult experience and didn't know what to do Describe a time when you did something but turned out to be wrong and what you learnt from it.

Many other follow up questions, what motivated you, what challenges did you face, what obstacles did you overcome, why did you take this action etc. The assessors made me wait about 10 mins outside and i think they were trying to catch me off guard but I managed to compose myself before I went in. Make sure you provide very thorough examples of each competency, use your telephone interview questions as a precursor.

Guys, I would like to say something. This website runs on the premise that those who have had experiences from any bank/firm contribute and give back what they learnt and what others should do better. In this tumultuous and uncertain economic environment, we all know it is extremely difficult to attain a job. Those of you who have done so, well done. Those of you who haven't, lets work together and use the experiences to ensure that we WILL do better in this app process. I spite none, nor hold grudges with those who have succeeded before us. But giving back is an innate quality that should be practiced. We need to help each other! I want each and every one of you to contribute to any threads, posts, blogs regarding the application processes you have been through, for the benefit of other graduates.

God be with you all.

ASuperbadDude.

You are truly a superbaddaude and I have no doubt that you would receive an offer soonish.

Thanks and Good luck.

Thanks SuperbadDude, your reply has really helped alot! Good luck

HI all

Yes SuperbadDude you are a star, it is because of people like you that forum like this one can work...I got yesterday the email inviting me to do the online reasoning tests and was when I found this threat...well done and once again thanks a million!

Hey Guys, I have just passed the telephone interview and I wanted to share the experience.

It was very straight forward (the ready script kind of interview)- they ask you a couple of questions at the beginning such as - can you confirm that you are flexible to travel, or do you have/require a work permit... so this gives you a little but of time to just relax and get used to the whole "talking on the phone"

the questions I got asked were: 1. Why Santander 2. Why Operations 3. Give me an example of a time when your decisions/actions made you unpopular? (you can imagine my face when I heard that :) but its fine - you can use an example of a Conflict situation, where you tried to defend your point of view or something like this) 4. an example of working in a team 5. when you had to change your way of working. 6. example when you worked towards a deadline/under pressure

• I dont remember already the exact wording of the questions, for which I am sorry, but you get the point.

My impression was that there were a lot of questions in comparison with other telephone interviews I had. One after another. The interviewer didn't interrupt me not even once, which was good as it gives you the chance to cover everything you had in mind. (although not more than 2.30-3 min per question is the standard) Mine was exactly 35 minutes ( so say 10 min general talk at the beginning and at the end and 20 min actual interview). They give you the chance to ask something at the end, so prepare a question if you want , although I don't think that saying you don't have any questions is bad. Hope this will helps. I am invited to an assessment centre now.

I just have one question, does anybody know for sure if the presentation that should be done there needs to be prepared in advance, or they give you information for this task there and then they give you some time to prepare and then the interview/presentation follows? I am worried because I can't find information confirming this.

Hey Guys,

Just had my telephone interview yesterday, don't know the outcome but I think it went ok. The competency based questions were a mix of the ones given by SuperbadDude and sasha5, so it seems they've just got a pool of questions and pick four to ask you.

With the motivational questions of the interview, I got asked:

Why Santander and this Graduate Scheme? Why Operations?

And within those questions I got asked things Like, Can you name any of Santander's competitors? Outside of the UK, can you name any countries in which Santander operates?

Hope this helps and good luck with your applications

Oh, and I just remembered they asked me, what do you think you will be doing on a daily basis :)

and one more came to me: Name Santander's Competitors.

• sorry for this, things are just popping in my head.

Thank you Rachel, it really helps. I appreciate it very much!

thanks SuperbadDude and sasha5!!!

Hi,

Would you be able to tell me how long they took in telling you whether you've passed the phone interview? Is it the Global Banking Manufacturing/Operations programme that you applied for or the other Operation grad schemes? Thanks!

I applied for the operations programme and found out I'd passed the same day but they are taking a little longer to let me know if I'm through to AC. apparently more people have passed to this stage than they want to take to AC so they are reviewing everything we have done so far.

span csm

Hi all,

Just had my phone interview and though that I will jot down a few things before I forget. It's pretty much the same as what was shared previously.

At the beginning they will set the structure of the interview process and tell you a bit about the graduate programme.

As usual, they are looking for the STAR structure from your answer. As long as you answer accordingly, they won't be probing you further.

The questions I was asked were as follows:

Part 1: Competency questions: 1. Describe a time when you had delivered good customer service 2. Describe a time when your individual contribution towards a team helped to accomplish a team task goal. 3. Give an example of when you had a challenging task but still manage to accomplish it (so the example I gave was how I had to meet multiple deadlines) 4. Give an example that demonstrates your leadership skills, in the context that you had to take an unpopular action.

Part 2: Motivational questions 1. Why are you interested in joining banking industry? 2. Why are you interested in joining Santander? (After your answer, they will then pick up on the things you mention and test you on your knowledge of the bank, e.g. recent acquisitions, their competitors) 3. Why are you interested in the Operations graduate programme? 4. What do you think you will be doing on a day-to-day basis in Operations?

At the end of the interview, you will be asked if there are any questions you would like to ask. I asked about what will happen after the graduate programme, career progression etc.

It'll take them latest 1 week to let you know about the outcome.

Hope these help! Good luck :)

Hi guys, I just attended the assessment centre today. Felt like everything happened so quickly! There were 7 of us in total.

Here is a description of what we did.

It started with a presentation by a business representative, introducing Santander and sharing with us his experience working in the bank.

The first activity we were assessed on its a group exercise. We were given a 3-page document on the performance of a call centre team of a fictitious bank. We were given 10 mins individual time to go through the document, think of 3 priorities, bearing in mind that during the group discussion we had to come up with 3 recommendations and the impacts that the recommendations have. The group discussion time was 20 mins, after which we presented our 3 recommendations to the assessors. There were then follow up questions by them.

Then half of us moved on to the presentation task, another half to interview and numerical test. I was in the group who did my presentation after the group exercise. We had been asked to research some information on Sanatander as a whole and Santander UK upon invitation to the assessment centre. The topic of presentation was only given on the day, we had 40 mins to prepare for the presentation. No chart of diagram or any presentation materials needed to be created, we just had to write down our points on a piece of paper, which we could refer to during the presentation. By the way, this is an individual presentation, not a group's. We were given 10mins to present to 2 assessors, which was again follow up by questions and answer session. The topic of presentation I got was: (1) What are the challenges and opportunities faced by Santander UK? (2) What are your recommendations for Santander UK to be (a) the best bank for its customer (b) the best bank for its staff (c) the best bank for its shareholders

Then there was a break, which was then followed by competency-based interview, by 2 interviewers. The other half of the group who did their interview and numerical test were now doing their presentation. The interview questions I was asked were as follows,

(1) Tell us a bit about yourself. Why are you interested in joining Santander and Why the Operations Graduate programme in particular?

(2) Describe a time when you had done something that was not in line with the expectation of you

(3) Describe a time when you had to understand someone to complete a task/ project

(4) Describe a time when you had to apply commercial or business analysis to an action/ decision you've taken.

(5) Describe a time when you were asked to do a task that was out of your expertise

(6) Describe a time when you motivated others in a team to achieve a team objective/ task

After that, the last activity for me was the paper-based numerical test. They use SHL, like the online numerical test. It lasts for 20 mins and consist of 20 questions. Then that's the end of the assessment centre!

That's about it. Overall, it was a good experience, also met some other nice candidates. They will take longest a week to inform us the outcome.

Hi Guys!!

It seems I will see some of you on the 29th in Leicester for the Operations Grad Programme!!!Thank so much for the information shared here!!! The asked me what people shared here + what did I learn from those experiences.

But what I do not completely understand about the program, I guess you can help me, is the rotation done within santander branches??Cause the job description does not mention anything about branches specifically, as it does say in the Retail management program, of course. But I guess they do not have THAT many offices around the UK, do they?

Rachel B, you ve got already an offer?