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FDM Group

4.1
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

How to prepare for FDM’s Virtual Assessment Day – COVID-19 Edition 

Catherine Tsiakoulas

Graduate Recruiter at FDM Group
So, you’ve passed the online application stage and have been invited to a virtual assessment centre, congratulations! Now it’s time for you to prepare for an online interview.

With FDM being amongst the many businesses that had to move their recruitment processes onto a virtual platform during COVID-19, it is important  that you know the steps you can take to help you succeed in your  virtual  assessment day for FDM’s Graduate Program. 

As a Graduate Recruiter, I have facilitated multiple virtual assessment days that evaluate candidates from different backgrounds for our Graduate Program in Australia. Here are some tips to help you prepare for FDM’s Virtual Assessment Day.

Firstly, you may be wondering, what is a virtual assessment day?

It’s an important stage in the recruitment process where a group of candidates are brought together and complete a series of exercises, tests and interviews that are designed to evaluate their suitability for the role they are applying for. If you hadn't already guessed, the ‘virtual’ part means that the entire assessment is held online. That means that you won't need to visit the company office or meet a recruiter in person. The assessment may be held on a platform like Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Skype.

At FDM, our virtual assessment day takes place on Zoom and can run for three to four hours. The assessment begins with a presentation to give you an overview of FDM and the Graduate Program, followed by a two tests; a Set Notation and Venn Diagram and an IT Aptitude test. Following this, you will have three strength-based interviews. As a result, good preparation is vital in order to pass.

Prior to the day:

  • Conduct thorough research on the company and its values.  
  • Ensure your devices are fully charged and working properly.
  • Contact your recruiter and ask any questions that you are unsure of to ease stress or uncertainty. 
  • Know your audience by researching recruiters and other internal staff who may be potential interviewers to familiarise yourself with the team.
  • Research current technology news and trends.

On the day:

  • Test your technology before the assessment starts, such as your computer device, camera, audio and WIFI connection.
  • Dress appropriately – if a dress code isn't specified, I would suggest asking your recruiter.
  • Position yourself in a well-lit environment with an appropriate background. Watch this video where FDM’s Video Specialist gives his top 5 tips on how to stand out in your video conference.
  • Try to eat beforehand as you may not have time for a break. It’s important to ensure that you have enough energy to think straight and perform to your best ability! 
  • Join the video call 5-10 minutes early.
  • Use open body language. This can be hard behind a screen but eye contact, open hand gestures and a smile goes a long way. 
  • Try not to read off notes. Be confident and most importantly, be yourself.

What else can I do to enhance my employability during COVID-19?

  • Take the time to upskill and self-learn. Reliable online resources include Coursera, GitHub account, Udemy and the Institute of Coding. 
  • Apply for virtual internships to gain exposure and expand your network. 
  • Update your LinkedIn profile and improve your online presence by following technology pages and professionals that inspire you.
  • Find a hobby that you can talk about in interviews as these are great for icebreakers. 

With these tips, you are one step closer to achieving your dream job! Wishing you the best of luck from the other side of the screen. We hope to see you soon at a virtual FDM Assessment Day!