Application Process & Interviews at Optus

Interview process consisted of phone interview, online testing, group assessment, one-on-one and panel interview. This may seem like a lot but it is required to attain quality employees.

1. Resume/cover letter submission 2. Phone interview 3. Online assessment 4. Assessment centre

Initial resume screening and psychometric tests, phone interview,, and a day-long assessment centre comprising of 2 group activities, a pre-prepared presentation and a one-on-one interview

First we had to submit our resume with cover letter and academic transcript. This was screened and we then had an over the phone interview with a HR coordinator. The next phase included an invitation to come to Sydney campus for an Assessment centre for people in the same area of work (Networks/IT for me). We were asked to create a 3 minute presentation on the future of Telecommunications to be presented during the assessment. During the assessment centre we were welcomed with a beverage of our choice and an overview of Optus was presented. We were asked to perform team tasks and a short team presentation and got the opportunity to speak to department head and leaders. We then gave our presentations to an audience of department heads and applicants. This was followed by half of the group going to one-on-one interviews with the other half going on a campus tour led current graduates in Optus. Following the interviews the groups were then swapped.

Online application Telephone Interview Personality test Assessment Centre (including interview) Offer

Started with a phone interview, if get past that you are invited to a 2 day graduate assessment centre.

Multiple rounds of telephone interviews, a group assessment day and a 1:1 interview

As with all graduate programs the interview process was quite strenuous, online application, telephone interview (it's changed to video interview), assessment centre, and individual face to face interview.

1. Online application 2. Phone interview 3. Assessment Centre 4. Interview

Applying for the Graduate Program I applied online, then had a phone interview, and was then invited to an Assessment Centre. I know the process has changed since then and they now do a video interview instead of a phone interview.

I was able to get an interview through a referral from my old employer, who had worked at Virgin previously.

1) Application - Resume & Cover Letter 2) Phone Interview 3) Online Psychometric Assessment 4) 1 day Assessment Centre 5) Video Conference Interview

Resume, psychometric testing, phone interview, assessment centre with 2 group tasks, a one on one interview and a 5 min presentation

Process is similar to that of other large organisations - phone interview, assessment centre with group interaction, interview with HR and technical manager, final interview with HR and hiring manager

Online application>Phone Interview> Assessment Centre and 1 on 1 Interview.

Examples of overcoming complications and conflicts in previous situations. What interests you have outside of work. Why I want to work for Optus? What can I bring to the company? What made me want to study marketing? What I think Optus is about?

personality/culture questions, why you want to work at Optus and the area that you want to work in etc.

My interview was much more like a conversation. I was asked a bit about the industry, what I offered the company and why I wanted to be there.

I can't remember to be honest. It was a mixed of behavioural questions (give us an example of X, what do you hope to achieve in 5 years' time?), character questions (how would you describe yourself in 3 words?) and technical questions.

I was asked about specific developments in the country's NBN program and examples of when I demonstrated the company's key values.

Mainly behavioural for the Graduate Program. For my current role, more situational questions and role play. The group assessment was all about how we best demonstrated the Optus core values.

Interests in the field of Marketing, what I know about the Optus culture, how I would fit into the culture, what I want to get out of the program

Why do you want to work for Optus? Why do you want to join the finance stream? What can you bring to the organisation? What do you think the organisation can do for you?

What made you apply for Optus? Give an example of overcoming conflict in a previous experience. Why did you want to study marketing?

For HR I was asked why I wanted to work for Optus and what I knew about it as a business. At my assessment centre interview I was asked what part of HR I believed to be the most important for the business and why.

What made you choose Optus? Why work in telecommunications? Where do you see the industry headed in the next few years? Strengths and weaknesses.

1) Key strengths & Weaknesses 2) Why Optus? 3) Describe a time you encountered a problem

Past work experience and how it might relate/apply to the company. Personal interests. Area of study in university.

I was asked about my experience, my interests, motivations and where I wanted to end up in my career.

I am a very introverted person, in my everyday life. When applying for these roles it's very important that the introverted person that you are should not give you a bad outlook, if at all possible you should try to be energised and enthusiastic about the job and its prospects, research the role and prepare for every possible scenario. Of course emphasise on any strengths that you have and find weaknesses that can be converted into strengths when worked on.

Learn about the industry environment, and then just be yourself in all interviews etc. Optus is a massive place and if they see talent and authenticity they'll find somewhere to put you.

By the time you get to the assessment centre, I think they are really just looking for cultural fit. Be yourself and be comfortable, and confident. Take your time in answering questions, no one is going to rush you.

Review possible question/answer scenarios. Have a solid understanding of what you are applying for and the company.

Relax on the assessment day and be yourself. Make sure you are personable and friendly to everyone. Wear a suit but you don't need a tie. Don't be scared to speak up and ask questions.

Get up to speed on hot topics in the industry - look for recent industry newsletters or magazines.

Learn about the telco industry, Optus and the wider SingTel group Focus on customer service and challenger spirit

We have tons of information on our recruitment page about the values of Optus. Look into those and use examples of your previous experience and how that reflects Optus values. We are a customer facing company so you can get the idea that we want to be the customer's wingman by the products we offer. Look into the website and you can see the type of language we use and that gives an insight into the type of people Optus is looking for.

Do research about the company, its competitors, and the industry. Go over potential interview questions in advanced & prepare examples specific to you. Also prepare your own questions to ask the interviewer to increase the depth of engagement.

Make sure this is the right cultural fit. Often this company (when it comes to grads) is looking for the best cultural fit. Also, make sure you have an understanding of the market landscape. Also research a bit about SingTel.

Yes. Be who you really are. It's easy to spot a fake. When preparing for interview questions, make sure you think about where you're weaknesses are as well as you strength but explain how you are working on these weaknesses (shows that you are realistic about yourself and proactive). Make sure you think of examples of solving problems and how your strengths are best displayed because people remember stories better than just plain facts. And finally, show a genuine interest in the people of the company - especially in the interview. You are finding out whether you want to work with these people just as much as they are about whether they want you to work with them. It's good to come with that mindset.

It is important to keep track of the latest developments that involve the company, particularly if they are at a national level.

Learn the Optus core values. Learn about what Optus is focusing on at the moment and how they are performing in the market. Know the role you are applying for and how your strengths match the role.

Be yourself, Optus is a huge company and if they see that you are authentic, genuine and talented, they'll find somewhere for you