Preparation
Asbjørn: How to prepare for the assessment centre? My tip – familiarise yourself with the vision, mission & strategy, but just as important; understand and reflect on why you are a perfect fit for Arla as a F15 Graduate.
Chantal: Indeed, creating this storyline is a great way to present yourself and captivate listeners. Furthermore, I prepared for case work together with fellow students. Even reaching out to F15s on LinkedIn was a great way to feel more prepared.
Experience
A: Time flies by when you're having fun - Cliché right? But it's true. In the in-depth interview, we talked about my profile, aspirations, and reflected on behaviours and my fit into Arla; quite the enjoyable experience. As we had already taken different personality tests in advance, the interviewers had a good idea of our personas, setting the perfect scene for deeper reflections. You felt that Arla would only select applicants they believed would be the perfect fit for the company.
C: Indeed, I think that being vulnerable and open-minded was key to a great interview, and to building relationships in the company. I actually just had a coffee meeting with one of my interviewers! I was most nervous about case interviews. But remember; stay calm, be explicit about your structure, and don’t be afraid to ask questions!
A: For me, the highlight was a 10min 1to1 with the head of the F15 Programme, talking about the “peaks & valleys” of my life. This topic allowed us to tell our individual stories in a different way, which was a truly uplifting experience.
Reflection
C: As Asbjørn already mentioned, the assessment centre really revolves around YOU. Despite any nerves, remember that the aim is to find your perfect job. My top tip – be honest to Arla, and to yourself, then I am sure you will get to the best outcome!
Finally; applying for a job in times of COVID-19 can be daunting; we have been there. However through online lobbies, breakout rooms, and interactive sessions, we are sure you will feel comfortable and your personality will shine through to the interviewers.
Good luck, have fun, and embrace learning from the process!
