Our Careers Hub
At our co-op, we understand that each position is unique, and the same should go for your recruitment experience. We're committed to finding the perfect fit, so we tailor the process to get to know you as an individual. The information below will help guide you through the application process and provide advice to give you the best chance of being successful.
Preparing to Apply
Learn About our Co-op
We’re looking for candidates who are passionate about our co-op. Learn as much you can , so you’re prepared to demonstrate your passion during the application process.
Preparing Your CV
Many of our roles will require you to submit a CV. Reviewing your CV can help you identify areas for further development and track your professional growth over time.
Applying
All applications are submitted via our careers homepage. To encourage a fair and inclusive application process, no other form of application can be accepted. To apply, you will need to create a careers account.
Once you have created your account you will begin your application. This will consist of a predefined workflow of pre-screening questions, these questions usually cover the fundamental requirements for the role, such as:
- Do you have the right to work in the UK?
- Are you over the age of 18 (specific roles)?
- Are you a member of the armed forces community?
Only completed applications will be considered.
Value-Based Questions
We use a value-based approach to understand your personal experiences. We use this to determine your attitude, desire for work, and how you would embody our co-op's values in day-to-day tasks. The value-based questions that sit in our process are:
Do the Right Thing:
Describe a time when you’ve received outstanding customer service? OR Can you describe a situation where you had to choose between what was ethically right and what was easier? How did you handle it?
A Place for People to Grow:
Describe a time where you have learnt a new skill or developed an existing one? OR Describe how you actively seek opportunities for personal or professional development. How do you support the growth of your colleagues?
Unstoppable:
Can you tell us a time where you have had the greatest satisfaction in your work? OR Tell us about a time when you faced a significant obstacle at work. How did you overcome it?
Stronger Together:
Please could you demonstrate a time where you have been part of a great team and what made it special? OR Can you share an example of working effectively with a diverse team to achieve a common goal?
Use these questions as a way of demonstrating your personality when applying. The questions you're asked will vary on the level of the role you are applying for.
Diversity Questionnaire
As part of our commitment to DEI, we invite all applicants to complete an anonymous diversity questionnaire. Your responses will not be linked to your application and are purely for statistical purposes.
Why use a diversity questionnaire?
Understanding our audience: This questionnaire helps us gain valuable insights into the diversity of our applicant pool.
Improving our processes: We use this anonymous data to identify areas where we can further improve our recruitment practices and ensure fairness and opportunity for all.
Building an inclusive culture: By understanding the diversity of our potential workforce, we can create a more inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Our Interviews
Invite to Interview
You’ll likely be invited to interview via email. Be sure to check your junk inbox.
Before the Interview
- Research our business: Look through our website, social media, and news articles. Understand our mission, values, and recent projects. This shows genuine interest and helps you tailor your responses.
- Practice makes perfect: Anticipate common interview questions and rehearse your answers out loud. Consider mock interviews with a friend or family member for feedback.
During the Interview
- Be present and confident: Arrive on time, greet everyone in the room and make good eye contact. Project a positive and enthusiastic demeanour throughout the interview.
- Highlight your achievements: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to showcase your accomplishments in previous experiences. Quantify your results with metrics whenever possible.
- Ask insightful questions: Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, company culture (Vision, Mission, Values) and team dynamics. This demonstrates your curiosity and genuine interest in the opportunity.
Common Interview Questions
- Can you tell me about your experience in [field or industry]?
- Why did you apply for this position?
- Why do you think you're a good fit for this job?
- What experience do you have that can help you in this role?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What's your ideal job?
- How would you describe your work ethic?
- What are your goals for the next five years?
- What's your biggest career accomplishment?
- What motivates you to do your best work?
Competency Based Questions
Competency-based questions are interview questions designed to assess a candidate's skills, abilities, and behaviours relevant to the job they are applying for. These questions typically focus on past experiences and how you’ve demonstrated specific competencies in those situations.
Here are a few examples of competency-based questions:
Teamwork:
"Can you give me an example of a time when you worked successfully as part of a team?"
Problem-solving:
"Describe a challenging problem you faced at work. How did you approach solving it?"
Leadership:
"Can you provide an example of a situation where you had to lead a team? What was the outcome?"
Communication:
"Tell me about a time when you had to explain a complex concept to a colleague or client. How did you ensure they understood?"
Adaptability:
"Describe a situation where you had to adapt to a significant change at work. How did you handle it?"
Time management:
"Can you give an example of how you managed a tight deadline on a project?"
Things we Want to Hear
When we're interviewing, we're eager to hear about your understanding of our co-op, including our core values, mission, and recent achievements. We value candidates who have taken the time to delve into our company’s history, demonstrating a deep appreciation for our journey, key milestones, and strategic goals.
Showcasing your knowledge of our industry landscape, competitive positioning, and how your skills and experiences align with our objectives will greatly impress us. Your ability to articulate how you can contribute to our ongoing success will be a significant factor in our decision-making process.
Receiving an Offer
In most cases, if your application is successful, you’ll receive a verbal offer of employment. Following this, you'll receive a formal offer letter and contract of employment outlining the details of the position, including your starting salary, leave entitlements and start date.
