What’s the application process?

To help you succeed we've outlined our recruitment process and provided some useful tips and techniniques.

The Application Form

  • This is the most competitive part of the process, with only 5% of applicants being successful at this stage
  • Check your form carefully before submitting, and take a copy to refresh your memory later
  • Take your time with the questions relating to your skills, behaviours and motivations - these are heavily weighted
  • Keep your examples specific, recent and relevant
  • Examples can come from work, university or life experience
  • The ‘diversity' section is voluntary, and will not form part of the selection process

“The application process was great and confirmed that the Group was right for me. The online application is competency based, therefore ensure you are familiar with the behaviours so you can provide appropriate examples. The application form also focused upon the co-operative movement – this helps to check applicants have the right values and principles.”
Amie Harris

Online Psychometric Testing

  • Our tests will only measure skills and abilities in areas which we consider to be key criteria for our graduate development programme
  • We will be measuring numerical and verbal reasoning
  • The tests are used to confirm that you reach the benchmark level in these areas

“I’d advise applicants to visit their careers services as they have example tests which will enable them to practice beforehand.”
Hannah Slaney

The First Interview

  • This is a two-way process, so take the opportunity to prepare and ask questions
  • The interview will be structured and based on your application form and our criteria
  • Describe your own actions, behaviours and learning to show how you have demonstrated the skills we need
  • Check all available background information, including our websites and marketing material before attending
  • Ask if your careers service offer mock interviews 
  • Read your invitation letter carefully.

“To prepare for the interview I thought about how I could evidence the behaviours, making sure my examples described the role I played in the situation and the end result. I also researched The Co-operative Group.”
Florence Cole

The Assessment Centre

  • The centre will allow you to demonstrate your skills in different situations, as well as giving you the opportunity to get to know us better
  • Our assessment event consists of a role play, group exercises, individual exercises, a presentation and an interview
  • You will be assessed by a number of assessors so that the process is fair and objective
  • Decisions will be made only on what the assessors observe and hear, so make sure you give them opportunities to assess you

“We had a presentation to prepare, which I put a lot of thought into and rehearsed in front of my friends and family, and I’m glad I did, as it turned out to be my strongest element.”
Kath Wright

Amie Harris