Application Process & Interviews at BAE Systems Australia

Thorough but fair, and enjoyable.

My way into the company was not the convenient process, when first starting my interview process was more of a catch up to see what things I would like to do during my internship. After that I completed talks with my manager who suggested to apply for a graduate role as I liked the work I was doing. From their it was the matter of showing interest and voicing what I wanted to do.

I had an initial online recorded interview, followed by an in-person interview. However, the process felt very disorganised.

Single interview conducted virtually, very candid and pleasant, carried out like a conversation.

The interview process was simple and straight forward. Consisting of a phone screen and two interviews over teams. They were very relaxed interviews.

Straight forward and fair. Process was fast compared to other graduate applications.

Once applied to the grad program, you will receive an initial call from a recruitment agent that will follow and help you through the hiring process to book you in for an interview. After the interview, which can be in groups or one-on ones (I had mine with my eventual manager and one of the senior team members), you progress to the standard pre-employment checks that include a health assessment, background check and police clearance. Once the process is complete, you will receive a call from your recruitment agent with a verbal offer for the position, which after you accept you will be sent a letter of offer to sign and return. After that, the only thing you will need to submit is an application for a government security clearance, if your role requires it, using the link/code the company will send you.

The hiring process takes a fair amount of time to do. At times I felt I didn't know what was going on and if I got the role or not. I think once you are in the Company you appreciate and understand a little more that it does take time because of different reasons such as security and being in the Defence sector but to an outsider I think it doesn't look as good and is a bit frustrating.

The application submission and interview process was reasonably seamless and smooth. BAE was also one of the only companies I applied at that I know got back to EVERYONE as soon as possible, unlike a lot of other companies who reply ridiculous amounts of time later or not at all to unsuccessful applicants wondering how they went.

The interview was very structured. I believe I had 2 meetings with the recruiter before any meetings with an project leads. The questions asked were well diverged and fairly complex.

Initial hire process took ages. I nearly accepted another role. This inefficiency may lose applicants. I did appreciate the online 'interview' requiring many takes. One-way Online interviews are a terrible practice when you try mimic a conversation with a countdown clock. One-way interviews are never a skill you practice in the work place so it's so silly that this is a tested criteria. However, what BAE Systems do really well is that they treat this process as a pitch. Better approach.

The process is inherently complicated considering the simplicity of the role however this is due to the necessary security requirements of the industry generally. The process was fairly communicated, though it was a little lengthy to go from step to step in the process. Lastly, the finance department is newly expanding their intern and graduate intakes and therefore still developing various positions. The information I was given about the role was brief prior to starting as a result.

I found the process fairly straight forward, but I started as an intern and then to apply for the gad program, I only need to get my manager to refer me. There was no added interview process. The original interview process was great though. I had two interviews for different engineering specialisations and HR made sure to keep track of the order of preference of my specialisations so they could prioritise those roles.

I had an initial interview for the graduate position and never heard back. Eventually I applied for the same position as it became available later in the year, had the same interview and was successful. The interview itself was good, the interview panel were engaging and thorough.

Only a few rounds of applications and interviews, which is much more streamlined compared to some other companies interview process. Recruitment were also very responsive and helpful with answering my recruitment process questions.

After submitting to be interviewed for the graduate job, I was constantly kept in the loop. Communication could not have been any better. I had a few phone calls with the company's Talent Acquisition Team. During these calls I was asked numerous questions to check if I was a viable candidate for the job and explaining what the job would entail. I then did a final online interview by a couple managers within the area of the company I would likely be working in. I did not have any assessments. However, due to the nature of the business I did need to undergo police checks and more.

application, zoom interview, phone call / email of outcome

Initial stages problematic - application response was lost and I had to follow up personally. After that was expedited through the process to last round so more convenient and somewhat made up for the mistake.

Had a one way interview, following my an in-person group interview and individual interview

Despite the lengthy process, the Talent Acquisition Team has been outstanding in assisting and easing the process

standard

Nothing too unexpected for the field I am in.

What I wanted to do. The things that I like to do. What computer software you have experience with.

Do not recall as this was almost 5 years ago.

Do not recall.

What do you know about BAE and why you want to work for us? What's your greater strengths and areas for improvement? Tells us a time you were out of your comfort zone and what did you do about it? Tell us about yourself. Can you tell us about your area of study and previous experiences you had. Tell us a time you found an opportunity to improve a process. Tell us a time when you dealt with change and had to adapt to that. How do you deal with people who disagree with you and is there a time this has happened? Tell us a situation you challenged a stakeholder or client. Tell us a time something went wrong and how you handled that. What is your expectations on safety, health and environment in the workplace and what is your experience with it.

I can't remember the exact questions, but they mainly focused on my social skills and what I would do in a team setting, such as "What would I do when I ran into an issue I don't know how to fix?" There were a few technical questions that related to software, such as "How do you document your code?", but they weren't focused as much on as the social questions.

I did feel the questions I was asked in my interview were a bit harder then what I was expecting for someone at my level. I remember being asked how I would manage a team and manage change. This being my first job out of university I felt I couldn't answers these questions very well and it left me feeling like I didn't do well in my interview.

I was asked holistic and slightly more tailored engineering and work place questions. Questions ranging from diversity in the work place and challenges I faced and overcame, to what the systems engineering processes typically entail etc were asked.

The questions asked were related to safety, previous experience and complex questions about IT.

I cannot remember. Plenty of soft skill type questions requiring STAR examples.

technical, more about your knowledge of the role thy hiring you, focus on you not experience like other companies.

Basic things around previous experience, current study and goals for future employment. Questions based on situational examples around safety in the workplace, interpersonal communication and taking initiative.

My interviews mostly were just discussions about what experience I had, what I had done at uni and then a few technical questions, which were made fairly relaxing since they were treated more as discussions. I don't recall doing any online assessment prior to the interviews. The questions relating to my experience and uni work flowed mostly from my explaining my engineering background and them asking questions about the things I discussed.

Behavioural questions (teamworking, conflict, problem solving, etc.), and a couple of engineering-specific questions.

Q1) Briefly tell us what you know about BAE Systems and why you would like to join our graduate program? Q2) What do you believe to be your strengths and your areas for development? Q3) Team work is important but as we know, there are times when people disagree. Tell us about a time where someone disagreed with you and how you dealt with that situation? Q4) Now tell us about a time when you had to work outside of your comfort zone and what you learned from that experience. Q5) To wrap up, is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Nearly all of the interview questions revolved around past experiences, how I have dealt with certain problems in the past, and the nature of my person.

personal + technical (projects I had done at university)

Fairly generic behavioural questions, no technical ones. Can't remember specifics.

Asked about the company, teamwork related question

Think about why BAE should want to hire you, and market yourself (honestly) to that angle.

Show that you are interested and want to work in this industry for this company. If joining an area similar to mine, don't expect to know everything but it does help to know small parts of things you want to do work with (Software, hardware, coding languages, etc.). I would say the top thing to show is that you are eager to learn and you contain base skills such as problem solving and cooperation.

Do not recall as this was 4+ years ago. However, I do believe my prior knowledge / experience in the defence industry helped. I would suggest familiarising with defence / defence industry ahead on interviewing.

Prepare arguments for how past work/academic experiences are relevant to the role, examples of displaying leadership, analytical, collaborative skills in past situations.

I would say to not focus too hard on the technical aspects, focus and prepare more on how you would act in a social/office/workplace situation with colleagues. That's not to say to disregard the technical aspects entirely, they are still important. My manager has said to me, on a few occasions, that he looks more for the social skills in a person, because technical knowledge can be taught easily, but social skills are harder to ingrain.

I think it is best people research about the Company as much as they can to get a solid understanding prior to starting. This company can be very confusing in its structure and still I am learning about it and I don't think I will ever stop learning about it. For any interview it is always good to rehearse some answers for potential questions.

Show an interested in the company you are applying for - research their values and achievements. Most applicants, particularly in graduate cohorts, will have the same experience and knowledge - so show them who you are as a person and what you can bring to the team. Other companies will pick based on experience alone, and that's not a company I want to be apart of.

If your a few years out of uni like I was when applying, I recommended going back through your uni work and getting yourself familiar with what you learnt over the years.

Apply early and engage at careers fairs for graduates. This depends on the role but focusing on ECs I'd say STAR examples, a bit of research on company and align values.

focus on technical questions, more about your knowledge of the role thy hiring you, focus on you and what you want to achieve. They straight forward, not trying to trick you or focusing on what you can do, they have room for support and growth. They will train you.

Become familiar with business mission statements and values. BAE Systems Australia focuses heavily on safety in the workplace and for its products and services. I believe I stood out because I used experiences in my previous career as examples of transferrable skills. I was honest about my inexperience in this industry but expressed my eagerness to learn, not just the technical and practical elements of the role but also the cultural and structural aspects of the business as a whole. Lastly, I asked questions about what the interviewers thought would make a successful intern and what actions I could take to ensure that success.

I think they should definitely look into the projects that the company works on and finding what they're interested in. It shows they're passionate and keen to work at this particular company. Additionally, if they show they're easy to chat with, can be easy to work with and have a passion for learning, then they would be a great candidate because they can be taught/learn on the job.

As a graduate, don't focus too much on the technical questions, but go in prepared to present yourself professionally.

Show a keen interest in the company through having knowledge about company work/contracts and news. Be able to show through examples that you have experienced that you can be adaptive and forward thinking. Experience in the relevant industry is valuable but not essential.

Go through the company's website and read all you can about the different projects. Be honest and don't worry if you do not know much about the industry. Most graduates will not have had much exposure to the defence industry, so if you can set yourself apart by having some knowledge (like knowing about some of the companies projects) that can go a long way.

Revise through technical questions according to your discipline

Try and find and befriend a hiring manager from the company through LinkedIn, job fair etc. Will help you through the initial stages.

research the company values, review more on teamwork related skill sets

Know your elevator pitch well and have ideas of what skills you have or lack and how you have used them in a scenario.

Know the background of the company and history of the project you are applying for. Show initiative by knowing the values of the company and how you will be applying them through your work.