The selection process
Application
If you’ve decided that British American Tobacco is for you, and you’re keen to join our International Management Trainee Programme, the first step is to click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and complete the application form. There are three main sections to this form – personal details, educational experience and your motivations to join us. You will also be asked to upload your CV. Please make sure that you take the time to fill out the application form accurately. We will then review your CV and application and if you match the skill-set we are looking for we will invite you to the next stage in the selection process.
Psychometric Testing
If your initial application is successful, we will invite you to participate in an online numerical and abstract reasoning ability test. We will ask you to sit the numerical reasoning test first, if your performance is satisfactory, you will also be invited to participate in an online abstract reasoning test. You will be able to access this through your individual account page. We recommend that you take the test in a quiet environment where you will not be disturbed. Where available, you will be able to take this test in your mother tongue language. To increase your chances of success it also makes sense to try some of the practice tests.
Competency-based Telephone Interview
If you are successful in the psychometric test, we will invite you to participate in a competency-based telephone interview. The telephone interview will be conducted in English and will last one hour. You will be able to view the available interview timeslots on your account page and then sign-up for a time that is convenient for you.
Please make sure that you are able to conduct the telephone interview in a quiet location where you can concentrate and not be disturbed. If you are using a mobile phone please make sure that you have good reception.
This interview will assess some key competencies (a competency is a desired behaviour, skill or attribute) as well as your motivations to join British American Tobacco and the specific business function you have chosen. We would strongly advise you to prepare for the interview.
Additional Telephone Interview
If you are successful in this preliminary telephone interview, we may schedule a second interview before we decide on our short list for the assessment centre. This second interview will examine in greater detail your motivation for joining your chosen business function as well as your long term commitment to our organisation.
Assessment centre
If we feel that you have the right skill-set and motivations for the International Management Trainee Programme, we will invite you to attend a British American Tobacco assessment centre. Here you’ll be able to demonstrate your skills and suitability with your performance in a number of stretching, but fun, participatory and individual exercises. The assessment centre session takes a full day and also gives you the chance to find out more about us. This is the final stage in the selection process.
Head of Function Interview
Whilst at the assessment centre, you will have a Head of Function interview. This interview will be conducted with the key heads of business working within the function relevant to your assessment.
Timings
The whole selection process is likely to take about three months from your initial application and you will receive regular updates on the progress of your individual application.
