I applied online. The process took 5 months. I interviewed at Mott MacDonald (Southampton, England) in Feb 2019
Interview
The interview began with the two members of staff walking around the office trying to find out where we were based for the interview, and also looking for their interview question sheets- very unorganised and unprofessional, and immediately gave the wrong impression. They both seemed bored and like they didn't want to be talking to me, which obviously had a large impact on my performance. The interview had a range of questions that were very different to any interview I have had before. Questions about my morals, and my personality which were very hard to answer. The two members of staff asking the questions were marking me on a scale for each answer quite clearly in front of me, which did put me under a lot of pressure. After these questions were finished there was then a short section of questions about my actual experience and how I would suit the role, but this did not last more than 5 minutes. After this I was then taken downstairs and given a test, where I had to identify around 30 different species and then write down the latin names for each one. This was followed by a range of sonograms of bat calls where I was expected to identify what species of bat each call was and then write down the latin name. For a graduate scheme interview (which is advertised as entry level with only minimum knowledge and no work experience required) this seemed very over the top, and I felt lucky that I did have work experience so knew the answers. Most recent graduates with no work experience would struggle with this test, and I thought it was a strange thing to do. I also had told Mott MacDonald that I wanted to be based in the South West or North West, which they ignored, and sent me for an interview in Southampton. Finally I was not given any feedback from the interview. I was told I would hear back in a few days, but actually didn't hear back for 2 weeks, and just received an email telling me I was unsuccessful with no feedback. My email asking for some feedback was ignored. Overall a very unorganised company, and I did not enjoy my time at the interview at all.
Informal with two managers from the company. About 1 hour long. Although there were competency questions, the interviewers were more interested in getting to know me as a person. A lot of the company was discussed: what projects they have worked on as well as areas of speciality.