Application Process & Interviews at Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)

Psychometric testing to screen candidates. Then a first round assessment process involving an interview with 1 HR and one business rep, a written test and a group exercise. Final stage was an interview with the hiring department.

Normal, assessments and interviews

There was a psychometric assessment, an interview, an individual assessment and group assessment. These were quite thorough, but the assessors were friendly and this made the process less daunting.

The process was very thorough. There was psychometric testing, two individual technical assessments, a group interview and an individual interview.

stage 1: psychometric tests. stage 2: assessment centre. stage 3: final interview and technical assessment.

Very lengthy and arduous process.

2 interview rounds - 1 of which was group interview / exercise Reference check P&C were communicative

The process I had to go through has changed since - but after submitting my application form, I was first asked to do a video interview. Once past that, the assessment centre consisted of a written 'test' (essentially looking at some graphs and answering some questions about them and prudential regulation), a 30 minute interview, a group activity (we had to build a Lego Ferris wheel within 30 minutes), and a presentation to a small group about our values. Once I got past that, there was a 1-hour long interview with the people who would be working in the area you expressed an interest in joining. Once successful, there was one more psychometric test.

The Graduate Program interview process is made up of a number of assessments - online and video interview, in-person assessment centre, and final interview.

There were of course video interviews and also in-person (remember when that used to be a thing?) assessment centres and final interviews. In both rounds, there would be interviews. The activities were mainly group-based.

Very general

Everything from personal attitudes, work experience, studies, areas of interest to more specific questions around governance and liquidity.

I was asked the usual questions such as why do you want to work here and what makes it an attractive employer. I was asked about what I did outside of uni (hobbies). I was asked about my professional experience and my expectation of the grad program.

a range of both technical and behavioural questions.

About my experience How I could contribute to APRA What I knew about financial services

I was asked questions about my previous work experience at a retail job (I had not completed any sort of internships before applying to APRA), such as working under pressure and dealing with tough situations. I was also asked quite a lot of questions about me - my hobbies, what I valued, sharing about how I dealt with tough things, perspectives on life etc. I was only asked one or two technical questions, in which I was honest and said I did not know the answer to, but was willing to learn (the interviewer was pleased with that answer - it might have been a trick question). I was also asked about the area I wanted to work in, and why.

Questions about my previous experiences in workplaces, personality questions, and current risks and events faced today.

Technical questions wise, was asked about how the Superannuation industry would react under several hypothetical scenarios. Behavioural wise: when was a difficult situation, tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision etc.

Focus on the soft skills rather than solely on technical analysis.

Know about APRA generally and what it does or is meant to

Be aware of why you are applying, and what you are interested in that relates to the organisation - there are a very wide range of roles that can relate to these interests. Show interest, ask questions, and don't feel you have to box yourself into some predetermined archetype.

- The APRA website was a great source for research on the organisation - Be authentic in interviews! - Try to balance listening and speaking in assessment centres

Have a good understanding of the work that the authority does. Check the news page on the website to ensure you are up to date with current issues. If there is a corporate plan, read it and have an understanding of it.

be yourself and stay on top of the news around the organisation.

Know what APRA does, why it does it and how it does it.

Do read up about what APRA does generally (in particular, the mission, mandate and strategy). The website is a good start, along with public speeches and analysis papers etc. Have a particular area of interest that you would like to work in; this could be in the form of a particular industry (banking, superannuation or insurance) or in the form of a particular risk area (climate, risk culture, investments). I also strongly suggest that you be your honest, authentic self - don't try to be someone you're not, or try and be 'over the top' in proving your leadership characteristics - the assessors can see right through it. Finally, I do suggest to have fun with it - there is always a buzz when potential graduates do apply at APRA, and the assessors are really excited and keen to get to know you.

Understand APRA's purpose and mandate and see if the values align with career views and professional development.

Have a foundational knowledge of the Australian financial system. Know what it is APRA does and who they are. Be ready to challenge or at least curious at the interviewers.