Situational Judgement Tests

[gricole]

I find that a lot of the scenarios ask you to evaluate whether you should take the initiative when the opportunity arises or speak to your supervisor/seniors first. I know there can't be a generic answer to this but do you have any thoughts on the appropriate steps to take? Additionally, is your supervisor your first point of contact when a problem emerges in any situation?

 

[Jessica Booker]

The answer can depend on the firm - so it’s dangerous to assume the answer is always correct for every firm (it won’t be). The firm that values team players will have different right answers to those who values individual initiative.

You have to look at the detail of the scenario and analyse it carefully too though. Just an example:

If it says you have just joined the team, are you really going to have the full knowledge to do something completely independently vs if you have been in the team 6 months.

Things to think about when reviewing SJTs:

- what’s the most realistic outcome for success rather than the one that you think would make you look good

- what is best for everyone, not just you as an individual

- what is the most time and resource efficient way of doing something

- who is the priority in the scenario

- what are the risks (and how risk adverse is the organisation you are applying to)?

Unless you are told in the scenario, do not assume you have endless abilities and knowledge. Think about the practicalities of going into a role as a junior recruit who probably has little to no knowledge expected.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Remember SJTs are rarely timed, so take your time to read the language of the answer carefully and consider the detail