Tips for success

It may take a bit of time, but getting your application right could make all the difference. It’s your first chance to impress us. And the best way to do that is to be yourself. So, be honest and think about what sets you apart from anyone else.

Obviously, accuracy’s very important, so make sure a spelling mistake doesn’t let you down. And keep your details up to date so we can contact you at any time.

Think carefully about your answers, particularly on the free text questions. You have around 200 words for each answer, so make them count. We read every word, so it’s a great chance to express yourself and let us know your ideas. But be truthful – we’ll probably ask you about your answers at a later stage.

These will help us get to you know better, learn how you’d likely respond to situations you could face at Schroders, and see whether you are likely to enjoy the role.

In these assessments you’ll be asked to respond to questions from some of your colleagues in a messenger style format as well as having the opportunity to demonstrate some of your logical thinking skills. Finally, you’ll have a chance to tell us a little bit more about yourself through a personality type questionnaire.

We hope that this experience is a bit different and gives you a bit of a flavour for what your life at Schroders could be like.

This stage is a bit different to what you may have experienced before and may take a bit of getting used to. It’s not a live interview. Instead, you’ll record your answers on camera, using an online platform through our Provider Aon Cut-e. This means you can complete the interview at a time that suits you.

Preparation

First of all, think about where you’ll be recording your answers. Is the lighting good? What’s the background like? Can we see your face?

It may not be a live interview, but a senior manager in the area you’ve applied to will view your answers. So you should treat it like a face-to-face interview. That means preparing your answers as best you can and dressing appropriately – we’d recommend a suit.

When you’re ready to begin recording make sure you look at the camera (and not the screen), smile and try to relax and enjoy the experience. We’re looking for people we’d like to work alongside and the more comfortable you feel, the better you’ll come across. Don’t worry if you trip over your words just make sure that you answer the question and show us how you think.

The interview

Before the interview starts, you’ll have a chance to practice an example question. This is a great opportunity to watch yourself back and get a feel for how the system works. When you’re ready to begin you’ll have up to two minutes to prepare your response for each question and then a further two minutes to record your answer.

The questions are designed to test your knowledge and your personal competencies. You’ll have lots of opportunity to show us your passion for the business area you’ve applied for and demonstrate what you can bring to the role.

If you have any technical problems using the online platform, please contact the Aon Cut-e Technical Support team.

Be prepared. Take a look at our website and social media pages. Read the financial news. Prove your passion for our business and our industry by showing you have an opinion and can speak confidently about the latest happenings.

Find out as much as you can about the business area you’re interviewing for. Think about what it takes to be successful there and how your answers show you’ve got relevant skills and competencies. But most importantly, be yourself.

As well as working with other candidates during the day, you’ll meet a number of Schroders employees and managers. So don’t be afraid to ask them questions. It's a two-way process and we want to see that you’re as interested in us as we are in you.