Application Process & Interviews at ANSTO

Very intense with many rounds. psychometrics, video interview, assessment centre, technical interview

Covid affected. initial application followed by short recorded video interview and finally a3 hour online assessment centre. long wait times in between each round.

The process was broken down into many components. initially there was an application with a resume, cover letter and some questions. then an 'interview' were you needed to record yourself answering questions. towards the end, there was also a group task (online) with other potential employees where we were assess on aspects like team work and negotiation, and immediately following that i was individually interviewed. finally, we had a personality style test.

1. submission of resume, qualifications, gpa, referees and a few questions to answer related to the work. 2. recorded answers to questions posed on vieple (online interviewing platform) 3. online interview composed of a one on one with someone in my field, then a group interview process. all of this was done online because i was living interstate and covid-19.

1. submit online application 2. pre-recorded video interview - asked 5 questions withy 30 seconds to 1 minute to answer 3. selection committee - applications sent off to relevant departments for review (internal) 4. top 50 selected for an assessment centre 4a. panel interview - interview with 2 subject matter experts, asked questions about myself and one technical question 4b. group presentation - asked to create a presentation with 2 other candidates then present to a panel of 3. we were on zoom so the panel watched the discussion process as well. 5. cognitive assessment - applicants shortlisted were asked to complete a short assessment. 6. offer

There was an original application and questionaire, followed by a video interview followed by an assessment centre.

The interview process is really long. there is a video interview then a phone interview and then an assessment centre. the process is very drawn out (it goes over a few months) and then you do not find out on the outcomes for another 6-8 weeks.

The interview process was standard for a graduate role. the process consisted of an initial online application, followed by a phone/video interview and then a two day assessment centre. the assessment centre involved both group activities and individual interviews.

Fun, but extensive.

1. a written application with cv and transcript 2. a video interview: around 5 really short answers recorded with webcam 3. a phone interview with an ansto person in your field, including some more specific questions 4. an assessment centre: group exercises and an individual interview

Written application questions, video interview, group interview and 2 personal interviews

The graduate program is competitve with only 14 successful candidates selected from more than 1200 applicants. it was a two day process with two 30 minute one-on-one interviews in addition to team/group questions/workshops, tours and presentations.

The interview process had a few stages. the first was the application process, which was quite standard and required some generic questions to be answered. next was a 10 minute phone interview, also with standard interview questions about experieces and why i'd like to work at the company. the next stage was being flown in to sydney from melbourne for two days at the company. the first day was very interesting, they structured it as them selling themselves to us. so we learnt about the ins and outs of the company and met all our potential supervisors. the following day was us selling ourselves. we first had a group assessment in a team of 5, where we had to create a 'live' debate using information from newspaper articles. who was for and against was given to us, after this we had to analyse ourselves and what we thought we could have done better both preparing for the debate and throughout it. after this we had two sets of individual interviews, one with our potential supervisor, and another with two other members of an unrelated area to give an objective opinion. after that i was returned home and heard back about getting the job a few weeks later.

Job application, followed by submission of a 2 minute video interview/question response. then two interviews, and a group activity assessment all on the same day.

We had a video interview as well as psychometric testing, these were fairly standard compared to other companies. this was followed by a day of tours and assessment / interviews at ansto - this was a lot of fun!

Two-day assessment centre. day 1 (flown down from inter-state), and given an overview of ansto, including a tour of the site to see all the work conducted. day 2, completed a group assessment and two panel interviews.

1. written response through the web, plus resume and transcripts 2. video response online, a few minutes to prepare responses to about 3 short questions, delivered into a webcam and recorded. 3. assessment weekend including; 3a. travel to sydney and site 3b. site tour and introduction (observation) 3c. group situation assessment (4 candidates, 3 assessors), which was a situation response based on some local newspaper articles, where you each represented different stakeholders and in effect had a interview/debate 3d. a further two one on one interviews, which were aligned to our technical field but still talked about managing teams, leadership capabilities, conflict resolution, etc 3e. return to home 4. referee checks 5. verbal offer, official acceptance, background checks, security and medical clearance, and so much pre-arrival onboarding paperwork.

There was a multi-step process to securing my position, which included an application, video interview, and assessment centre as well as panel interviews.

The interview process began with an online application where i had to answer a number of questions and upload my cv and university transcript etc. stage two was a self recorded online "interview". i was given five minutes to prepare an answer to a question and record that answer though an online website. there was a practice question with no time limit before the real thing. stage three was a short phone interview where i spoke with someone in my field (engineering). stage four was an assessment centre with around 30 other applicants here in sydney. there were two individual one-on-one interviews as well as a group activity with an assessment panel.

First round criteria response and resume/cover letter drop. phone interview video questions final stage - 2 interviews, and a group interview (a mock talk-show where you had to adopt the view of different stakeholders to a new infrastructure project).

Examples of projects previously worked on, working in a team/with deadlines

Initial pre recorded video interviews involved generic questions like "what does excellence mean to you?" online assessment centre involved a technical panel interview with four questions, covering previous research and evaluating your skills in your field. this was followed by a group presentation with a few other candidates on the topic of organisational values.

I recall being asked how i stayed productive during the covid-19 pandemic for my recorded interview. in my live zoom interview, i was asked what makes a good scientist, and i had one knowledge question from my area of study.

Questions regarding to safety, conflict resolution, teamwork and a few technical questions specific to chemistry and human health.

The questions were standard, as expected for other interviews for other graduate programs. there is a hge emphasis on safety as ansto's safety culture is emphsised heavily.

I was asked about when i had led teams, and when i had worked on teams. i was asked about my design experience and when i had made design decisions.

We were asked both technical and behavioural questions in the interviews. we were also asked questions around why we want to, and why we think we are suited to, work at ansto.

Experience and quaifications. dealing with workplace conflict. risk minimisation. safety.

Questions ranged from personal qualities and values, to 'give me an example...' to gauge technical knowledge

We were asked as a team to develop solutions to a business related problem within a short timeframe, and then present these to a panel. the one-on-one interviews were more specifically related to the individual job area, and personal skills and attributes.

A large variety of questions were asked. i can't remember them exactly but they were along the lines of: why do you want to work at ansto? what can you offer ansto? give an example of when you had to overcome a a problem and how you dealt with it. give an example of a time you had to deal with a difficult team member? how do you approach completing projects? give us an example of a time you mixed priorities and how you dealt with that. give an example of a time you went above and beyond your job description. etc.

Mostly questions which assessed personal traits rather then technical

I don't remember specifics - they were fairly standard interview questions

The questions were similar to what were asked in the assessment criteria submitted prior to the interview, as well as the core values associated with the organisation.

My suitability for the role, times that i have lead teams

I was asked about my problem-solving capabilities, teamwork and my attitudes towards safety.

I was mainly asked questions about my experiences in my field of work and situations where i had shown leadership qualities, conflict management skills, etc.

Questions of experience. questions surrounding how you lead, how you respond to problems, how you communicate, etc. questions around what you value in the work place be prepared to ask informed questions.

Describe a time when... so situation based questions. lots and lots about teamwork.

Research the work that ansto does, it's generally much broader than people are aware. show your passion for the area of work. demonstrate relevant experience through work/side projects.

Learn about the unique and exciting work that ansto does, it's not always easy to find but very interesting once you do.

Before the actual interview stage, it is important to have experience behind you in the form of research projects or internships related to the field. i think having a job while studying is extremely important in entering the workforce in the field you desire. it shows versatility and work ethic. once you reach the interview stage it appears to be largely about how you present yourself because you've already proven yourself technically capable to some degree to make it to this stage. being friendly, relaxed and professional is probably the best bet. this is easier said than done as interviews are very stressful.

* read about the organisation and what makes you passionate about working for them. * be technically prepared for your area of expertise. * have questions prepared to show you're proactive * most importantly for the group assessment - be open to new ideas and collaboration and think innovatively

Make sure you look up the values of the company, and have points to demonstrate how you best display those values.

Any experience you can previously obtain at ansto (for example internships or year in industry) would be very beneficial. prepare by learning as much as you can about the group/division you are interviewing for.

Look up ansto values.

Don't worry if you don't have much experience in nuclear (how can you?) but read around australia's position on key nuclear issues. get across the basics of (some of) what ansto does (which is a lot).

Understand the organisation

Be yourself. know the aims and goals of the company and make sure they align with your views. do your research.

Firstly by the researching the company. ansto does a broad range of things and not many people in the public know about them all. especially researching the values as the company is proud of them. i'd also recommend coming up with examples for standard interview questions. most importantly, make sure you outline extra-curriculars you are a part of. the company isn't just looking for intelligence, they're looking for leaders with good life experience and who succeed when there are multiple activities in place and priorities need to be ranked.

The most important question to answer is why you want to work here

Learn about what the organisation does - there's a huge amount! don't feel you need to know every detail though, you will mostly be picked for your enthusiasm and people skills

Browse the website and get to know what work the organisation does, specifically in the field of interest you're applying within. then you're able to recall these in the interview phase when answering some of the questions and describe how your skills can fit into/enhance the work currently conducted.

Show your all-roundness, and be ready for a long process. almost all of us that were eventually hired were not directly out of university, most had started phds, taken on a masters course, traveled for an internship abroad, etc.

Do your research on the organisation and have some idea of the area/s you would like to work. be prepared to socialise at the assessment centre and demonstrate the values of the organisation.

The application dates for ansto were very early so keep an eye out early in the year.

Yes, pay lip service to your experience and technical know how, but people hiring graduates here are looking for agents of change. don't overdo it, but make sure you are able to get across that you are energetic, adaptive, open to experience and keen to make a difference. this is more important than experience.

Prepare by writing down every situation you can think of where you've used teamwork/communication/taken responsibility. could be in casual job, volunteering, uni group assignments, as far back as being some sort of leader at high school. then when you get asked about teamwork 5 times you'll have a variety of examples to give. also read over the resume and cover letter you sent in as your application and be consistent with what you said in those documents.

Understand the organisation