So, what's on the initial application form?

It's a short online questionnaire to check whether you meet the basic eligibility criteria for your chosen scheme.   You'll need the appropriate degree, you'll be flexible geographically, and have no unspent criminal convictions

We'll also ask about your:

• Degree modules
• Work experience
• Your ability to start with us in September 2013
• Your flexibility around location
• Visa status

Plus, we'll check if you have any special requirements so we can make any necessary adjustments during the recruitment process.

Is there anything I can do to prepare?

Before you apply, double check our requirements for your chosen scheme to make sure you meet all the criteria. Read the information on the website carefully, ask for a brochure, or talk to us at our campus events. You'll also need to attach your CV and your degree modules to your application so please get this ready before you apply.

What is a Situational Judgement Questionnaire?

Straight after the online application form, we'll ask you to complete an untimed   situational judgement questionnaire.   It will present you with situations you could face at work and ask how you would respond to each. You'll choose from 4 possible answers, to select which response is most likely and least likely for you. In order to move on to the next stage of the selection process, you'll need to reach a minimum score.

This questionnaire has 13 questions and usually takes around 15 minutes to complete. We recommend that you give yourself enough time and space to concentrate fully on answering the questions. Please read the instructions carefully. You might feel that more than one of the options would potentially be effective, but remember - you're looking for what you personally are most and least likely to do.

The best way to tackle these questions is to be as honest as you can. Your first answer will often be your best and most accurate one.

How can I improve my chances?

Before you start, it might help to review these competencies and behaviours.   We'll be looking for these now and in later stages of the application process.

Competency 1:   Leading the business  

Our leaders add value to our business through consistent performance and entrepreneurship. Key behaviours include:

• Demonstrating market and customer awareness. A good understanding of the energy market and our future challenges is important
• Thinking and acting as an entrepreneur
• Maximising business performance and thinking innovatively
• Collaborating successfully with colleagues across different teams

Competency 2: Making a personal impact

Our leaders 'walk the talk' to make a personal contribution to our business. Key behaviours include:

• Fostering diversity by acting and communicating as part of the international E.ON community, and always with intercultural sensitivity
• Building trust and being trustworthy
• Evaluating your own behaviour and personal impact so that we can all continue to build our effectiveness and leadership styles
• Using your energy to create impact through great communication

Competency 3: Leading people

Our leaders inspire, engage and value their colleagues. Key behaviours include:

• Providing direction and being a strong manager
• Developing people. Recognising talents in individual people and assigning projects to support their development
• Building high performing teams. Recognising individual and team contributions and creating a motivating atmosphere

Competency 4:   Leading change

Our leaders will embrace and shape change. Key behaviours include:

• Exploring the need for change to processes and structures and driving the change through
• Individually initiating change with a positive attitude
  
• Developing, communicating and implementing a vision across the business

What are the online tests?

These tests look at your ability to understand verbal logic, numerical analysis and abstract reasoning. They're industry standard tests (often referred to as 'psychometric tests'), so you should be able to find plenty of opportunities to practise, both online and through your university careers service.

You'll take the 3 tests online. They usually take around 6 minutes each - we'd recommend you complete them in one go. You'll be scored against the benchmark scores of a typical E.ON graduate. If you achieve minimum scores in   all 3   tests, you're through to the next stage.

If you need us to make any special adjustments, please let us know in advance so we can make sure our processes are as fair as possible. For example, we can increase the time limit for candidates with dyslexia. If you'd like to speak to us about the online testing, please contact us on 0845 300 1427 or email   eongraduates@tmpw.co.uk.

Can I practise before taking the tests?

The best way to prepare for these tests is to practice them online;   perhaps take a look   on the SHL website.

Practise tests

You can also sharpen up your numerical and verbal reasoning skills by doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku and by swotting up on your GCSE Maths (e.g. calculating percentages and ratios).

When you're due to take the online tests, make sure you've given yourself enough time and that you won't be disturbed. You might want to have a calculator and pen and paper handy for the numerical test.

So, the next stage is the interview?

Yes - and congratulations on reaching this stage. We'll invite you to take part in a competency-based telephone interview, lasting between 30 and 45 minutes. If you're applying to our Science and Engineering Excellence or Exploration & Production scheme, you'lla CV review and face-to-face technical interview instead, so please continue to the next section.

So what type of questions will I be asked in the telephone interview?

During the interview, we'll ask you questions about your past experiences. We'll look to understand the situation you faced and how you dealt with it. You should prepare for this telephone interview as you would for a face-to-face interview - by doing lots of research on the company for example.

We'll ask you to provide examples of where you've demonstrated certain behaviours against various competencies. A sample question could be:

"Tell me about a time when you've had to give negative feedback to someone, either a colleague or a friend."

Here, the competency being examined is 'the ability to demonstrate empathy and support to colleagues'. The behaviours we'd be looking for are:

• Considering the person's feelings when you gave feedback
• Giving the feedback in a constructive way
• Dealing with the situation with empathy

In your answer, you should consider the following:

• Why did you feel you needed to give the feedback?
• How did you approach them?
• What did you say?
• How did they react?
• What did you learn from the situation?

Before your telephone interview, it may be useful to think about the difficult situations you've faced over the past couple of years - whether at work, during study or at home - and how you dealt with these. Ask yourself which situations truly demonstrated your abilities and strengths. This will prepare you for when we ask you competency-based questions. Above all, make sure your answers talk about 'I' not 'we', and tell us about your personal actions and impact.

Also, please think about why you've applied to E.ON and what's motivated you to apply for your chosen scheme. We'll expect you to show an understanding of the issues our organisation is facing, as well as explain why you're attracted by a career in the energy industry.

We'd also recommend you swot up on your university textbooks beforehand. You may get the odd question that tests your understanding and knowledge of the area of the business you've applied for! (e.g. if you're applying for the finance scheme, could you explain what a profit and loss account was?)

What happens in the   CV review?

If you're applying to our Science and Engineering Excellence or Exploration & Production scheme, the next stage would be a thorough review of your application (including CV) by a senior engineer or manager from that department. For our other schemes, you'll undergo a competency-based telephone interview without a CV review so please click the section above.

You should make sure your CV includes the following information:

Personal details - include key contact information and a correspondence address (if this is different to your term time address)
Personal statement on your motivation for applying - try to include the reason why you are applying to E.ON so we can understand your motivation and passion for applying to us
Summary of work history - this can include internships, work placements and any voluntary work. Please remember to include the dates you worked in those roles
Summary of educational attainment - focus more on your most recent module results from university, but also mention a summary of your A Level and GSCE (or equivalent) results. Remember to mention post graduate and professional qualifications too if appropriate
Key strengths - please detail what skills you could bring to E.ON UK
Extra-curricular activities - by summarising these, we'll be able to get a fuller picture of your background and an idea of the transferable skills you have gained from your non-academic experience

And last but not least, make sure the style and layout of your CV is easy to read and presented in a professional manner.

If you impress us on paper, you'll be invited to a face-to-face technical interview.

Who will the interview be with?

You'll by interviewed by some of our senior engineers that work with our graduates. The interview will probably take place in the Nottingham (for Science and Engineering Excellence candidates) or London (for Exploration and Production candidates) area and will last for approximately 1 hour.

What type of questions will I be asked and how can I prepare?

During the interview, we'll assess your technical ability in your particular area of study. Some of the questions may need you to use the knowledge you've gained at university and apply it in practice to your chosen business area.

For the two programmes, we're looking to you to be a technical expert of the future. So it's important to show us your sound technical understanding as well as your passion for joining the energy industry.

Before the interview, it might help to refresh your memory on technical knowledge that you feel would be relevant to E.ON. Also, think about your motivation for applying to E.ON and why the challenges facing the energy sector attract you to a career with us.

You’ll be asked to book onto a suitable interview slot online and we'll let you know the location, including directions, so plan your journey in advance and make sure you arrive on time. We'll also reimburse your travelling costs.

On the day, be confident with your answers and try to demonstrate a wide understanding of the questions being asked. You'll be meeting one of our senior engineers or managers, so it's important that you give them confidence in your technical knowledge and your enthusiasm for the role.

What happens next?

If you're successful, the next stage will be an invitation to attend our assessment centre and you'll be asked to book a date online.

You're nearly there! The assessment centre is the final stage of the recruitment process. Your assessment will be in the Nottingham area (or London area if you've applied for Exploration and Production), and will last a day and a half (for undergraduates, just one day).   Don't worry about your travel expenses - we'll pay for those up to the value of £75.00.   For graduate applicants, we'll also provide overnight accommodation in a hotel.

So, what will the assessment centre involve?

It's not just about us assessing you. It's about everyone getting to know each other. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions as well, and learn more about us and our industry.

After this, we'll ask you to complete four assessed exercises, including role plays and group exercises. We'll be looking at how you react in pressurised situations as well as identifying the skills and competencies you could bring to us. There'll be plenty of breaks, with lunch and refreshments provided, and people on hand to help and guide you through the day.

I want to make sure I give myself the best chance to succeed. How can I prepare?

We'll send you full details beforehand of what you can expect and what to prepare. The better prepared you are, the more relaxed you'll feel during the event.   Think about some examples that'll help us to get to know 'the real you'.

Plan your journey to the assessment centre to make sure you arrive on time. And, before the event, take another look at our competencies which is what we'll assess you against   (see the Situational Judgement Questionnaire advice page where we've listed them).

Most of all, be confident and natural, smile, build a rapport with us and other candidates, and have a clear understanding of our business and why you'd like to join.
And finally, our environmental impact is important to us so please use a 'green' method of travel, such as a train, tram or bus, if you can.

So, when will I know how I've done?

After the assessment centre, we'll let you know the outcome within a few days, and if you are successful, a contract of employment will be sent out to you ASAP.