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I applied through an employee referral. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Atkins (Bristol, England) in Oct 2020
Interview
Excellent process overall, very efficient. Had an 1 1/2 hr interview with a number of both career and competency based questions. Good discussion with interviewers. Talked around current roles/type of work with the business - lots of current growth. HR function and online system very good at keeping track of things through to offer letter.
Interview questions [2]
Question 1
Describe your approach to leading an Atkins project team as the new PM?
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Atkins (London, England) in Jun 2018
Interview
Two senior managers were on the interview panel and were pleasant enough. They interviewed me using standard competency style questions which I felt were outdated and therefore could not really structured my answers accordingly. Although I had sight of the job description, I knew it was not really a standard industry role in my field, but the interview questions threw me off balance and found myself going off track. I am an experienced senior manager who has conducted lots of interviews in the past and have interviewed well in most roles I have applied for. But unfortunately, I found the style of questioning odd that I could not perform as well mostly because this was not a purist and standard industry role that I normally do in PMO. I also realised during the interview that they were out of touch with how most organisations operate PMOs and fair enough, they are a consultancy led service. Truth is, I did not perform my best.
The interview got slightly bizarre towards the end when they asked for security clearance questions, took a copy of my passport and provided me a list of the company's benefits and where I could be suitably located. It was so bizarre because it was obvious I was never going to get the job and had admitted during the interview that I did not really have some of the experience they were looking for such as bids development and consultancy. I received rejection 2 working days following the interview via email, with no feedback. I have since requested feedback but not heard anything yet.
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Atkins
Interview
Had 2 interviews, one with head of section (who I know professionally from previous role) and his #2. I was asked to apply formally online, which I felt was more of a formality rather than any part of the decision process for them.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Not applicable - it was more of an informal chat to discuss the role and to see if we would be a good fit culturally. Great interview! I should say my reputation preceded me in this instance and it was almost a done deal from the start, as I was desperate to move and they were keen to take me.