MT Application Preparation | Maris Personal Blog

Preparation Experience

My tips and experience for each round in MT/GT hiring process

These rounds are not in any order, and not every program includes all of them

01. CV

Read carefully the job description
List out keywords about role, skills,…
Revise your CV, make your previous job description related to the above keywords
CV should be within 2-3 pages
Should present all experience from the newest to the latest (from top to bottom)
Use past tenses for previous jobs and activities
Shouldn’t be too colorful, just be minimalized with back and white

Recommended templates: Academic CV, minimal CV

Template I used: LINK

02. SHL Test

Only 1 tip here: practise as much as possible, from basic level to advanced level

There are so many types of SHL tests, each type tests one aspect. For example, numerical tests test your calculation ability, and verbal reasoning tests examine your logical thinking. So, the first thing is that you must know which types will appear on your official SHL round (normally it has 2-3 types and is stated in notification emails) so that you can focus on practicing. If you haven’t applied to any program yet (so no idea about what type will appear), or just want to practice in advance, don’t hesitate to search for samples and practice. Below is the list of some SHL test sources.

How to find free practice samples: search SHL test free practice sample or relevant phrase; search each type of SHL to find (for example inductive reasoning, verbal reasoning,…)

Several sources you can take a look at:

Practice Aptitude Test

SHL Test | Practice FREE Test Questions From Experts (2023)

Job Test Prep (take free samples/tests)

shl-practice-tests

Opportunities Home
Others: you can search on the Internet ~
Specially, you can search specific SHL tests such as PWC SHL test pdf, Uniliver SHL test pdf, etc...so that you can see their real SHL tests then practise.

03. Aptitude Test

This test is to test your suitability/matching with the hiring position

There are 2 typical kinds of questions:

1. Choose “Most” and “Least” that describe you

2. They will show you 3 options, you must choose 2 of them. First hit for what is the best description at the workplace.

Every test says that you should be honest, and follow your heart to complete. However, there still have candidates failing in this round. It would be so regretful.

So, I am here to help you:

Consider all questions in the working environment/in the workplace
Thinking about what characteristics, features,…the company wants you to have if you work in the hiring position
Hit answers that match what features you think they are looking for
Questions are repeated to check your consistency so please remember what you choose before
When it comes to last questions in the list, all options are so familiar now because all of them are what you chose before and are repeated several times. This time, follow your heart :D

04. English Ability Test

Several programs can organize this test, separately from interviews to test your English skill.

For example: China Mobile International Global Graduate Trainee Program, MB Young Talents (integrated with SHL Test, then called General Test or Testing round, something like that)

It could be writing essays, multiple choices, filling in blanks,…depending on each company.

*Tips to overcome this round: practice English ASAP. Practicing not only helps me this round but also English interviews with BOD, Managers who are either Vietnamese or Foreigners.

It would be harsh if you are not good at English when applying to these programs. As I see, none of the successful candidates is below the upper-intermediate level.

05. Initial Interview + Final/Panel Interview

My first advice: PRACTISE interview asap, below are suggested questions and steps you can refer:

1. Reflect all your past journey carefully (role, responsibilities, past company info, industry, difficulties, achievements,...)

2. List out all possible questions

- Questions about previous experience, extra-curriculum activities

- Questions about your strengths, weaknesses

- Questions about your failures, achievements, your lessons learned

- Questions about your understanding of their company, industry, position and program

- Questions about your expectations, desired working environment, and career path

- If questions to test your ways of thinking and mindset

3. Tips to answer: straight-forward, honest and use STAR model to organize all information

STAR: Situation - Task - Action - Result

4. Practise in front of mirror to see if your answer and body language are good, take mock interview with friends, mentors, etc to get more advice.

Questions could be repeated in interviewing rounds. Keep your energy up throughout the process. Should not show energy discrepancy in each round.

06. Teamwork round

This round can be integrated in Assessment Center Day, or separately organized.

Honestly, I don’t have many tips for this round because human interactions are something not fully anticipated. However, I know that there are 3 types of people you can turn into:

Leader: you start a discussion first, monitor the process, be a timekeeper,…
Inventor: ideas creator
Effective listener and critical debater: if you cannot think of any ideas, you should show that you are a good listener, focus on what teammates say, analyze their ideas then give them your opinions.

Overall, whatever role you are, you must be proactive to raise voice. Don’t miss any second, take your time, even interrupt (politely) others.

In several cases, they try to set up something in the room (that may be helpful for the teamwork process, for example: board, pens, papers,…etc) but say nothing to candidates to see if we can identify supporting tools ourselves. So, be detailed and look around as soon as you enter the room. You can also ask for tools actively if you don’t see them ⇒ properly, you can get scores for that action.

07. Assessment Day

Firmly, a Business Case will be included.

How to prepare for this? I suggest you 3 steps

Read books: each mentor, or senior can name you different books. Each book has its own highlights. You can start with Case in point, 21 ways to cut cost (Harvard Business Review), etc...
Watch successful presentations of famous contests (via Facebook livestream, YouTube,…)

For example: Khoi nghiep cung Kawai, Ung vien tai nang,…to see how they present their solution, their structure of the presentation,…etc. While watching, you should take notes, and record what you think may benefit you in the future. I often hand down structures that I find interesting.

3. Build your own recipes

List all types of cases
Each case builds its own outline/steps to solve
Choose a presentation outline for each

There are several notes here you may focus on when do the business case or present (to make it logical, linked, smooth, and good for the panel’s ears =)) )

Your solution must contribute to corporate strategies (both long and short-term)
All depts must contribute to the company’s success (that means you should think of solutions for each dept or main depts)
Good content delivery (through slides and presentations) is even more important than creative solutions. Before you think of creativity, you need to make people understand first.