Application Process & Interviews at Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade

Long and hard. Psychometric was a bit of a joke. Interviews were great, I felt comfortable. Assessments were challenging but they provided ample support.

The process for the grad recruitment is very long. It includes testing, a video interview, a written exercise and an interview or assessment day (COVID depending).

Intensive. CVs, cover letters, psychometric testing, writing exercise, one-way video interview, online interview.

There are a lot of interview steps, verbal, written and numeric tests, group interviews and individual interviews.

Application -> -> Pre-recorded Video interview -> Written assessment -> Zoom interview -> Reference checks -> acceptance.

It was long but that was mostly due to COVID. There was an initial application, then a cognitive test, then a verbal assessment, then a written test, then a final panel interview. It was very formal and un-personable until the final interview which was great.

1. Initial application - very standard, not unreasonable (esp. as very similar to anything else one might be applying for) 2. Testing - both the problem-solving and the language-based questions felt a lot less arbitrary than similar tests for other applications, like the law firm/other ministry ones my classmates were applying for, which I appreciated 3. Video interview - this was the worst part of the process for me; it's nerve-wracking without having someone to steer you in the right direction and there's more of an element of luck in how you prepare 4. Zoom interview - really nice for a zoom interview! The interviewers were lovely and empathetic to nerves.

long, many MANY steps.

The interview process was staged with each activity 1 week apart (contingent on passing through to the next stage), usually with a window from Friday night - Sunday Evening to complete. This process was during COVID so all aspects were virtual, in-person experiences may vary: Applications open: CV/Cover Letter submissions Week 1: Aptitude testing (word association ,numerical and abstract reasoning) - 45 minutes Week 2: One-way recorder interview - 15 minutes Week 3: Problem Question answer - 3 hours Week 4-5: Virtual interview focused on behavioural questions- 45 minutes 2-4 weeks after interview: Acceptance/decline call and email

Very intense, long and arduous. A stressful experience.

Describe a time when plans changed and you had to adjust?

The video interview questions are more around motivation and then the 'real' interview is largely situational questions (tell me about a time when etc.).

Generic interview questions

Typical questions, why you would be good for the role, what interests you about the work etc.

About the values of organisation, STAR method. I remember one about conflict, and one about convincing others.

The interview was the most chill part of the whole process. At this stage you just have to not screw up. I was asked generically about my skills, interests and the role itself. There were a few scenario (STAR) based interview questions. Overall a very good/easy interview for such a long process.

Big picture strategic thinking questions

- What exactly does the job entail? (What do you expect your work will look like?) - What does MFAT do? - What in your view should be MFAT's two main concerns/priorities (economically?) at the moment/going forward - Talk about a time you had to get someone on your side - Talk about a time you had to adjust/change direction quickly on something

Big picture global perspectives

Perspectives on what MFAT does, personal motivations for joining, STAR based behavioural questions

Why do you want to work for MFAT. Plus behavioural questions.

Be yourself. Don't try pretend you are somebody else. Think of what you and your experiences can bring to the Ministry, not what you think the Ministry is looking for.

Have a good read and explore of the website, go to the events MFAT hosts in advance where you can chat to current policy officers or HR staff about the roles, prepare questions you can ask the people who interview you (this shows real engagement), prep some examples you can draw on for the questions as well.

Have broad life experience. Having a previous career.

Prepare by reading up on the different work programmes that MFAT does, think about what you would get out of/bring to each sector of the org. You're applying for a rotational role so you should try show interest in all.

If you want this job spend time on each round of the application, it shows. Show your skills and talent but don't forget to be personable, being likeable and interaction skills are number one. Look at the values and work of MFAT and talk about these. Do your research before each stage.

No it was rather closed book

Read the strategic plan; try to actually get a clear answer out of current POs as to what they actually do (a very hard ask - "oh it's different everyday" is not a helpful answer"); reflect on times you have done things that were challenging to you/not 'in your wheelhouse' so to speak

Prepare for the STAR based behavioural questions well

Be yourself and show your personality where appropriate in the interviews. You don't need to know everything about foreign affairs, or even much at all. It's more about your personal experiences and how you draw on them.