Application Process & Interviews at Optus

Hiring process could have been a bit more transparent - many things were very vague and sometimes I felt like I was just left lying in a limbo waiting for something. The interviews/interviewers were very accommodating (I have a disability) and the HR team was easy to speak to.

Started with a phone interview, then a pre-recorded video interview, followed by an assessment centre which lasted 2 hours and it was a combination of group and individual questions and activities, both behavioral and functional too.

The process was very similar to other graduate programs. There were multiple stages with an interview, assessment centre and an at home assessment. The time between each stage was very quick and the HR team extended the offer not long after the interview.

There was a video interview, pyrometric, assessment centre, 1v1 interview and if you're a tech grad, a technical assessment

Following the online application, there was an initial online technical assessment, then an online one on one interview and assessment centre.

Stage 1: CV and cover letter submission Stage 2: Online/psychometric tests + Online interview Stage 3: Assessment Centre

There was 1 x video interview, 1 assessment day and then another interview. There was also assessments that needed to be completed prior to the assessment day. The process was good but did feel lengthy at times and not super personalised.

For the graduate program we had to do a pre-recorded online interview and then we did a full day assessment centre.

The interview process was clearly constructed and communication in 4 main stages: 1. Application 2. Digital quiz/Virtual Interview 3. Digital Workshops/F2F Interview 4. Offer This kept it simple and all the steps and updates were communicated well.

The communication given to potential hires could be better. Sometimes they don't hear from Optus for a while and sometimes when they hear back, they are put in an area of the business which they are less interested in when compared to the area of the business they applied for.

for graduate programs, it was quick but was a bit unclear towards the different streams

Hiring process was fine, it was the after where there was minimal contact and took a while for contracts to be processed.

It was quite rigorous, firstly you just had to apply with a cover letter and resume. Then you proceed to a full-day assessment centre where there is an info session, a problem-solving group task, and then a round of 4x 10 minute interviews.

Steps are: CV submission, IQ and EQ testing and then a a half day assessment centre.

We had multiple stages to get into the Graduate Program: 1. Online Application 2. Video Interview - recorded responses to questions 3. Assessment Centre: Case Study, 1:1 Interview & Group Task

I went through a few rounds of assessment for the grad program - my memory might be wrong but it was psychometric testing, Hirevue automated interviewing, an assessment centre with challenges and a 1:1 interview. This was pretty standard/good in terms of grad program interview processes. But now that I'm in the role that I'm in, I can see how I and others were misled in some ways. Namely the streams of the program were described in job ads quite incorrectly. e.g. the business unit I was hired for being Marketing & Revenue, but it being described to me in the job ad as Marketing & Public Affairs (the latter of which sits in an entirely different business unit). In reality, the opportunities to go into a marketing rotation have actually been quite limited! I was also told at one point in the hiring process that all Marketing spots had been filled, and was instead offered a spot in the Business stream - I accepted, then was told quite some time later that I'd been reallocated to Marketing and Revenue. All in all I think there was probably quite a bit of miscommunication between the actual early careers program coordination team, and the talent acquisition team who went to market with incorrect information.

There were several assessments however once an offer hade been made, the Early Careers Team maintained key moments of contact and hosted several virtual and in person sessions to prepare Graduates.

Terrible disorganised and poor. Unprofessional & not responsive, delaying outcomes by over 3 weeks with no communication (despite multiple emails and calls from me). This almost single handedly made me switch companies despite really enjoying the interview with a senior leader.

The grad program had a lot of stages and when I did my interviews they were all online which had its own challenges. But overall it worked out really well and I felt supported throughout the whole journey.

robust and straight forward

basic interview questions, group case study, individual case study on Optus's TOFU principle

How would you solve a large and complex problem involving many stakeholders - the follow up question to this involved our proposed solution not working, what would next steps be as a result? What makes your previous experience an asset to the position you're applying for?

Why you want to work here What did you have to do when you were told to do something that you didn't agree with How do you handle stress How do you prioritise/handle time Assessment centre -Optus Case study and need to work with a group of other candidates to think of solutions and present it back while a Optus employee supervises

Why I would like to work for my current companyWhich field of emerging technology interests me the most - Projects I have worked on - Questions about company values

Why did you join Optus and how can Optus help you achieve your career goal?

Why do you want to work at Optus? Describe a time you made a mistake and how you resolved it Speak about a time you had to learn something new and the process involved with this Tell me about yourself.

tech background behavirol questions 5 years plan

Tell me about yourself? Experience in computer science Team based questions

"Why do you want to work here" "Tell me about your education and your work experience" "Describe a challenging situation you've had at work, how you solved it and what was the outcome"

Why I wanted to work at Optus. Given a case study and asked to propose creative business solutions, collaborating with 3 others and preparing a presentation

Hard to remember from a few years ago but along the lines of: * Tell me a challenge you faced and how got through it? * Can you describe time you went above and beyond and impact that had?

I can't remember aside from one, which was a case study about how you'd approach something by TOFU-ing (take ownership and follow up).

Apologies, I don't remember.

We had a few different interviews, a technical one where we were asked coding questions, and then a behaviour interview, group interview and individual interview. We were asked questions about what we have learnt in previous jobs, what we would do in certain situations and just generally about us. In the group interview, we were asked to solve a problem and present the solution as a team.

About the company values and how we would behave in difficult scenarios, about who I am and what I had done in my personal and professional life

Standard interview questions

Questions regarding difficult situations and how they were dealt with, times I worked in a group, times I had to find the answer/s to issues I hadn't experienced before, times where dealing with a customer/person that was being difficult.

What would you bring to the company? How do you hand x situation at work? What are you strengths and weaknesses? Are you willing to learn, if so what would you like to learn?

It was a while ago now but just your general interview questions as well as how we show the Optus behaviour of Take Ownership and Follow Up.

Usual interview questions, how have you gone above and beyond. What are your key interests etc.

Study what Optus's main principles/values are

Apply the STAR method wherever possible. In group activities, the aim isn't to be the loudest - it's an opportunity to showcase your interpersonal skills, let your personality shine.

Look into the company values and prepare examples of where you have displayed them.

When you reach the 1v1 interview, try to treat it like a normal conversation. If possible, get the interviewer engaged in the interview themselves, ask heaps of questions. For the assessment centre, try to be a good team member, give others a chance who haven't had a chance to speak. Don't shut down ideas. Keep to time.

Get to know the company and their values / goals / mission. know Why you want to work for the company.

Understand why you want to apply for Optus and how you can achieve your life goals with Optus. The best preparation comes from a good level of self-understanding, i.e. not only understanding your own strengths and weaknesses but also what you want to achieve in life and tie that with what Optus can offer you. Know why you want to work for Optus and this would give Optus the confidence that this candidate knows what they're doing and why they're here (at the interview).

Understand and research the company. Think about various situations you have been in and how you dealt with them (positive and negative). Come prepared with questions to ask back

Focus on your engagement and ability to provide deliverables for the organisation.

be positive, prepare lots of behavirol questions not many tech questions

Most of the interview questions are behavioural based, so study the STAR method for answering questions - (Situation, Task, Action, Outcome) and apply that to every question you answer. Definitely familiarise yourself with the telecommunications industry as it is quite niche and specific. Have a well-thought out answer to why you want to work here - they pressed this one in detail.

Look to be confident but genuine. Learn about type of customer Optus caters for.

* have some pre-prepared examples of how demonstrated key skills i.e. teamwork, etc (and weave Optus values into this) * look up the role, understand the company and articulate what you're hoping to achieve from being part of xx team. * pre-prepare questions about company/expectations of role you want clarified

I think authenticity and friendliness is really valued here. Also, a lot of focus is placed on your approach to things - e.g. how would you consult stakeholders? How would you approach solving a business problem?

Research the company and have some knowledge about current marketing campaigns, clients and activities.

I think Optus really looks for people who will fit the culture of the company, so do some research into this and see if it actually fits you too. Also, think about what you have learnt from uni/previous jobs, and how that would translate into a new job.

Look at the values in the job description and see how you can align with them in your own way and also find something unique about yourself and be clear about your skills and goals

Know about the company, know what you can bring

Use your learnings and experience in work/university/life to your advantage and ensure you are open and honest with your experiences. If in a group assessment, ensure you promote communication and group involvement, rather than just focusing on trying to seem knowledgeable and impressive, as working within a team is more important.

Research the company you apply thoroughly along with the language and etiquette they express in emails and interview to determine how casual / formal you should be. Also regardless of in person or online interview make sure you look presentable. Also be transparent and have an open mind if you express this you become a lot more approachable.

Show genuine interest in the company and the area you are applying for. Note the values and behaviours so that you can use these in the interview process.