Withers vacation scheme

[zidoeslaw]

Hi!

I'm applying to Withers and one of the quetsions is "Please name a person who inspires you and explain why?"

I'm not sure how to approach this question - should I name a public/political figure or someone I know personally? And what are they looking for through this question?

Thanks for any help

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi!

I'm applying to Withers and one of the quetsions is "Please name a person who inspires you and explain why?"

I'm not sure how to approach this question - should I name a public/political figure or someone I know personally? And what are they looking for through this question?

Thanks for any help

It can be either - I have seen everything from friends/family to obscure academics/artists/speakers/experts very few would have heard from, through to prominent individuals that most of the general public can name.

The question is trying to assess your values - what is important to you, what inspires you etc, so they can then try to see if those values aligns with them. So it doesn't really matter who the individual is, more your reasoning for selecting them.

 

[zidoeslaw]

It can be either - I have seen everything from friends/family to obscure academics/artists/speakers/experts very few would have heard from, through to prominent individuals that most of the general public can name.

The question is trying to assess your values - what is important to you, what inspires you etc, so they can then try to see if those values aligns with them. So it doesn't really matter who the individual is, more your reasoning for selecting them.

Thank you so much for your answer!

 

[James Carrabino]

Hi!

I'm applying to Withers and one of the quetsions is "Please name a person who inspires you and explain why?"

I'm not sure how to approach this question - should I name a public/political figure or someone I know personally? And what are they looking for through this question?

Thanks for any help

It can be either - I have seen everything from friends/family to obscure academics/artists/speakers/experts very few would have heard from, through to prominent individuals that most of the general public can name.

The question is trying to assess your values - what is important to you, what inspires you etc, so they can then try to see if those values aligns with them. So it doesn't really matter who the individual is, more your reasoning for selecting them.

To follow on from @Jessica Booker's great advice, I will say that this is a question I did not prepare for at all and it came up in my first ever interview. I had no idea what to say and pondered for thirty seconds.

Someone came to mind immediately but I thought it would not be a very good answer. So I thought 'Which public figure really inspires me?' And I just could not think of someone on the spot.

Eventually I figured that the clock was ticking and so giving my real answer instead of choosing some random public figure would have to do and I said that my friend from university inspired me. I have never in my life seen someone who is so efficient with their time - if he had 15 minutes of spare time he would use it incredibly effectively. He could sit down and do a little bit of homework or send off some e-mails.

He was not a workaholic by any means and would leave plenty of time to relax and socialise, but he always had a plan for his time and he never let it go to waste. I really admired that!

The interviewers loved my answer and I ended up getting the vac scheme, so it made me realise that they are not looking for any specific answer, just a thoughtful and genuine explanation. I hope that helps

 

[zidoeslaw]

To follow on from @Jessica Booker's great advice, I will say that this is a question I did not prepare for at all and it came up in my first ever interview. I had no idea what to say and pondered for thirty seconds.

Someone came to mind immediately but I thought it would not be a very good answer. So I thought 'Which public figure really inspires me?' And I just could not think of someone on the spot.

Eventually I figured that the clock was ticking and so giving my real answer instead of choosing some random public figure would have to do and I said that my friend from university inspired me. I have never in my life seen someone who is so efficient with their time - if he had 15 minutes of spare time he would use it incredibly effectively. He could sit down and do a little bit of homework or send off some e-mails.

He was not a workaholic by any means and would leave plenty of time to relax and socialise, but he always had a plan for his time and he never let it go to waste. I really admired that!

The interviewers loved my answer and I ended up getting the vac scheme, so it made me realise that they are not looking for any specific answer, just a thoughtful and genuine explanation. I hope that helps

Thanks so much James!

 

[James Carrabino]

Thanks so much James!

@zidoeslaw always very happy to help!

 

[vikbogat]

Hi!

I'm applying to Withers and one of the quetsions is "Please name a person who inspires you and explain why?"

I'm not sure how to approach this question - should I name a public/political figure or someone I know personally? And what are they looking for through this question?

Thanks for any help

Hi, I also applied to Withers and received a strength based assessment that I need to complete. Have you also received that? Do you know what test provider Withers use by any chance or how to prepare for the test?

would be thankful for any help

 

[zidoeslaw]

Hi, I also applied to Withers and received a strength based assessment that I need to complete. Have you also received that? Do you know what test provider Withers use by any chance or how to prepare for the test?

would be thankful for any help

Hi! Sorry for the late response. I received it, and the provider is Capp. You'll have three trainees' "stories" and then you get a few situations. You'll have some maths based question (you can used a calculator). It's mostly interpreting charts. Then a short WG test.

To prepare, I'd say try to prepare for the chart interpretation. It's not too difficult but I'm not sure whether it's time or not. For WGT, I think just to take some tests. Not sure how to prepare the situational judgement test

 

[vikbogat]

Hi! Sorry for the late response. I received it, and the provider is Capp. You'll have three trainees' "stories" and then you get a few situations. You'll have some maths based question (you can used a calculator). It's mostly interpreting charts. Then a short WG test.

To prepare, I'd say try to prepare for the chart interpretation. It's not too difficult but I'm not sure whether it's time or not. For WGT, I think just to take some tests. Not sure how to prepare the situational judgement test

Thank you, just completed the test today too

 

[EVjuji]

Is the Withers strength based assessment automatic or is it the next stage, i.e. they review first your app?

 

[zidoeslaw]

Is the Withers strength based assessment automatic or is it the next stage, i.e. they review first your app?

On my email it said that i was progressed to the next step but i received it a few days after submitting

 

[vikbogat]

Is the Withers strength based assessment automatic or is it the next stage, i.e. they review first your app?

I think they review firstly, but not 100% sure

 

[vikbogat]

Hi! Sorry for the late response. I received it, and the provider is Capp. You'll have three trainees' "stories" and then you get a few situations. You'll have some maths based question (you can used a calculator). It's mostly interpreting charts. Then a short WG test.

To prepare, I'd say try to prepare for the chart interpretation. It's not too difficult but I'm not sure whether it's time or not. For WGT, I think just to take some tests. Not sure how to prepare the situational judgement test

Hi, just wondering whether you had any updates from Withers following the test?

 

[zidoeslaw]

Hi, just wondering whether you had any updates from Withers following the test?

No nothing! But the deadline was a couple of days ago, and I think they're non-rolling

 

[iolitelegal]

Hi, just wondering whether you had any updates from Withers following the test?

No nothing! But the deadline was a couple of days ago, and I think they're non-rolling

Hi, I applied on deadline day so have only just received a notification to complete the test. Was the test fairly intuitive/any general tips? Also, have either of you heard back yet? Thanks!

 

[vikbogat]

Hi, I applied on deadline day so have only just received a notification to complete the test. Was the test fairly intuitive/any general tips? Also, have either of you heard back yet? Thanks!

The test consists in part of WG, numerical, verbal and a brief SJT. I haven’t heard back after the test yet.

 

[iolitelegal]

The test consists in part of WG, numerical, verbal and a brief SJT. I haven’t heard back after the test yet.

Okay, thank you!

 

[iolitelegal]

The test consists in part of WG, numerical, verbal and a brief SJT. I haven’t heard back after the test yet.

One more thing, do you recall if you are able to flick back and forth between sections? I'm thinking of just starting now, taking a look, and completing it between now and the weekend if you can..?

 

[vikbogat]

One more thing, do you recall if you are able to flick back and forth between sections? I'm thinking of just starting now, taking a look, and completing it between now and the weekend if you can..?

I remember that I was able to flick back and forth between sections, but I still did it in one day.

 

[l.m.g.]

I remember that I was able to flick back and forth between sections, but I still did it in one day.

Hi, do you remember if the test was timed? Or if individual sections were timed? It says in the email that time taken to complete isn't considered but I just wanted to make sure. Thanks