Initially, it was very easy. It started with an online application through Indeed, and then I was contacted by email to complete the pre-assessment about a week after applying. When I received the email it asked me to complete the assessment within 72 hours, although if there were any issues I could either call or email someone about getting an extension. The pre-assessment consisted of a personality test, and a spacial reasoning test. While the personality test was pretty basic, the spacial test was a little different. It shows multiple 3D images and you have to list which block is touching which. They are these little pyramid shapes of rectangles and squares, and it will ask if Block A is touching Block B, or how many blocks is touching Block C, etc. Of course you will not finish in time, just answer as many as you can. I found this part very easy, and did not mind taking it.
A few days later I received an email to schedule a phone interview and to pick a time in the days they listed. The phone interview was very simple and straightforward. I was told on the phone that I passed and that they would be contacting me a few days later for the next step. Just as she said, I got a call from someone asking what time would be best to come in for another assessment. He told me it would be about 2-3 hours long and to plan to stay the whole time.
I am very glad I did some research in what to expect on the last assessment, because if I hadn't I would have been completely blindsided. After going through it, I can understand why everyone is so frustrated and angry about what they had to go through and why they were upset when they were turned down. I can also agree when so many others have stated even if you know what's going to happen, you still can't prepare for it.
I arrived 10 minutes early, and did not get started until about 7-8 minutes after I was scheduled. I met with two others who would be conducting the role-play scenario. They took me to a room that was to be my office, and gave me instructions. I had many different papers in front of me, all put together in specific order. They gave me a small notepad, two red pens and two yellow highlighters to use to take notes and fill out paperwork. There was a small boombox on the desk with a CD in it. They left me a packet of about 30 pages to read, and the CD would read it out to me. I took the advice of others, and once they left I turned off the volume and read at my own pace. I read faster than the CD, and I wanted to be able to look over the information without having to worry about stopping and starting the CD to do it. They give you 35 minutes to look over the information and attempt to finish the roleplay scenario knowing everything.
Obviously this is a trainee position, but unfortunately they treat it as something you should have already known. I did my best to stay calm and focused, and to just follow the instructions. Unfortunately despite having the instructions in front of you, they are not going to pause the scenario so that you can read back over what you are supposed to do.
