IBM Placement
Just before Christmas I was invited to an assessment centre and interview for a 12 month placement as a Software Developer at IBM in Hursley, nr Winchester.
The assessment was a 14 minute test, which would have been impossible to finish in 30 minutes!
Also I had to participate in two group exercises, the first was to organise a placement presentation for IBM and then present our decision. (I really enjoyed that task) 
The second was to go through some application forms and decide who fit the job specification the best (that was hard).
Then I had 2 interviews, one was to find out who I am as a person, the other was a business interview, to find out what work I am capable of doing and past experiences in software development.
After less than 24 hours, a lady from the HR team rang me, to offer me a job.
I’m so excited and can’t wait to start working for them, although it means me and Phil have got to live in separate places for the 12 months. 
However, we are as strong as a rock and I know we will get through it and move back in together for our final year as happy as ever.
17 responses to "IBM Placement"
6:31 on October 14th, 2009
I am wondering, when did u apply for the placement. I mean when did you submit ur application. i want to apply but its october now and i think its too late!!
8:50 on October 14th, 2009
Hi there,
I applied early September for my placement but if the application process is still open then your not too late! I’m sure that they accept applications right up to late December. When I applied they didn’t get enough good candidates so they re-opened the application process up, ans were accepting new applicants until mid March.
What placement are you looking to apply for?
If you go for a technical role, you’ll be based in Hursley which is defiantly the best place to be.
Good Luck
Natasha
x
20:53 on January 12th, 2010
Hi there natasha,
I have recently completed the IPATO test online and they have emailed to say i passed this…
How long should it take after completing the test until im offered an interview/ assessment day…whats the process?
Thanks
Josh
14:38 on February 18th, 2010
Hi natasha…
I am going to help interview soon…but i am scared as i am not very good at doing presentations
any help?
thanks a lot.
Jo
15:05 on February 18th, 2010
Hi Josh,
Sorry I’ve taken so long to reply. I didn’t get a notice to say I had a message from you.
For me it took about a month before I heard anything else. Have you had your assessment centre? If so how did it go?
Hope it all went/goes well
Natasha
15:18 on February 18th, 2010
Hi Jo,
Do you mean you have an interview?
Presentations are my weakness too and I managed to get a job. I think when you’re standing there you forget about being scared and just go for it.
All I suggest is think about what your goal is, for example if they give you a task to ‘organise an event and then present your findings and reasoning’. Then go straight in with what your teams decision is and then justify why that was chosen. If there is a white board or flip chart, use it for diagrams as it can help you all remember what you need to say and demonstration can be easier.
In your interview all I can suggest is to tell the truth and be yourself. If you are ask something like, “tell me a time when you worked in a team?”. Tell them what you did and where (university is the best for this type of question), explain your role within that team (this will help to reduce the amount of questions they need to ask), explain any issues you had to overcome (that’s the most important bit).
The less questions you get asked doesn’t mean your not right for a job, if they have to ask you a lot of questions on one subject it either means they are just interested or you haven’t given them enough information in the previous questions.
What you need to consider the most is, you have got this far so the company are already putting money on you and want to employ you. The only time they will have to say no is if they can’t find the right job for you or you didn’t meet the requirements which I’ll be honest aren’t as high as you may think!
I’m sure you’ll do great, and good luck.
When is your interview? and Where?
Natasha
19:56 on February 20th, 2010
Hi Natasha,
I have an assessment centre coming up in Hursley and I was wondering if they ask you a lot of technical questions in your interview??
(??
And also, are the group exercises always a presentation,I am kinda scared of them
9:45 on February 21st, 2010
Hi Baibhav,
Good luck in your assessment centre. If you have a business interview you will be asked a series of technical questions and as long as you answer with the right terminology and examples you’ll be fine.
With regard to the group exercises, one will be a presentation but you get a bit of time to plan what your going to say, the other will be a discussion based exercise where you need to come to a decision on something as a group of which there is one right answer (but as long as you have a good reason for a wrong answer it will be classed as being right to an extent).
I hope this helps, obviously I can’t tell you what the tasks will be and the answers but if you have an idea of what is expected then you have an advantage.
Good luck
Natasha
11:32 on February 24th, 2010
Hi
I have just got through the selection day and I will now be doing an assessment centre which I am very excited about. I would love to work for IBM, I just wanted to say congratulations for getting a job, I hope I can be as successful.
Good Luck
Laura
12:11 on February 24th, 2010
Hi Laura,
Good to hear you have an assessment centre day. Where are you having it and when?
Good luck on the day and read over my hits and tips if you haven’t already.
Thank you for your lovely comment, IBM is a great company to work for so I hope you get a job too.
Natasha
15:12 on April 1st, 2010
Hi
I had a 1st roundof assesment last week. Haven’t heard back anything yet. Any idea how long it took for you to hear back from them?
Regards
15:25 on April 1st, 2010
Hi Andy,
They usually let you know within about 10 days of your assessment day. I’d say you may not hear anything now until Tuesday at the earliest because we are closed for the bank holiday.
Let me know how you get on.
Good Luck
Natasha
15:19 on April 9th, 2010
Hi Tasha
I passed my ipato test in Mid february and im still waiting for first round interview. Do you think i should contact them or just wait. I know someone in the same situation who contacted them in early much and was told that they will invite people soon. Can u explain what happens on the FRI and what i need to prepare.
Many thanks
John
22:11 on April 11th, 2010
Hi John,
I don’t really know what to suggest because it seems like a long time to have not heard anything. All I can say is it did take a while for the recruitment team to get back to me after I took the ipato test so it’s probably normal. If your concerned then definitely send the recruitment team an email or better still give them a call.
If you read my previous comments, they will give you all the information you need for when you get an interview/assessment centre.
Good luck, let me know if you hear anything.
Natasha
13:59 on May 18th, 2010
Hi Tasha,
Congratulations on getting the job, i have my assessment center day in Hursely, Winchester tommorow. I am not sure what to expect in the business interview i would really appreciate it if you could give me an example of the kinds of questions they ask.
Many thanks
Dipesh
15:17 on May 18th, 2010
Hi
I can’t tell you what kinds of questions you might be asked because it could be anything.
Think about projects you have been involved with which may give you something to talk about. If you’ve mentioned any in your application then try and touch on them.
The best advise I can give you is stay calm and be yourself. There’s no point trying to fake anything because IBM will choice the people that will fit into the business rather than a particular role.
Hope it all goes well for you. Let me know if you get in and what they offer you.
Good luck
Natasha
15:46 on May 20th, 2010
Hi natasha,
Unfortunately i did not get the job, but thank you for you for your help
Dipesh