Application Process
Online Application
To apply for any role in British Airways you will need to complete an online application form. The exact content of the form varies depending on the role you are applying for. However, you'll always be asked for your personal details so the company can can contact you.
Sometimes you will be asked to attach a CV and answer application questions. Application questions may take the form of a short essay-style question or may ask you to answer a series of multiple-choice questions. If you are asked to complete any of these the following tips may help:
- If asked for a CV, tailor it to refle forct the role you are applying
- Make sure your CV is honest, accurate, up-to-date, concise and easy to read. If your CV is too long it can detract from your key skills and qualities
- For short-essay style questions, read each question carefully and make sure you answer all of the question
- Do not exceed the word limit
- Proof read your answers for grammar and spelling errors
- Answer all questions honestly
- For multiple-choice questions, do not spend too long thinking about them but answer them truthfully. Further details about these types of questions can be found on the Preparing for Your Assessment page.
- Research British Airways to find out how the company works and about the culture and values
Before submitting your application review what you've written to make sure it's accurate and error-free. Remember to tick the box at the end of each section to say that you?ve completed it. When you're ready press the submit button. You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application from the recruitment team.
If you are successful at the application stage you will be invited to the next stage of the assessment process. Depending on the role you are applying you may experience one or several of these assessments that British Airways typically use. This may be done on one day or over a couple of visits to us. You will also be told which assessments you will be expected to do before the day.
Psychometric Tests
British Airways uses 3 types of psychometric tools - situational judgement tests, ability tests and personality questionnaires.
If asked to complete these you will be sent further details explaining what you will be asked to do and giving you practice information so that you can fully prepare yourself. If the assessment is online, take it somewhere where you won't be disturbed and can fully concentrate. Remember to turn your phone off and try not to take the assessment when you are tired. Make a note of the date that it must be completed by and don't leave it until the last minute.
You may be asked to retake any online tests you have taken on the assessment day as part of the verification process:
- Read the practice information and instructions thoroughly
- Work quickly but accurately and do not spend too much time thinking about one answer - if you get stuck, mark you best guess and move on
1) Situational Judgement Tests - look at a candidate's ability to identify the correct course of action. Please answer the questions truthfully and do not spend too long thinking about your answers - trust your instincts. Typically BA uses these in customer facing roles and usually form part of the application process. You will be given instructions and told if there is a time limit.
2) Ability Tests - are carefully selected based on the abilities and level required for the role. They are usually multiple-choice questions, which look at a candidate's ability in areas such as numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning or logical reasoning. You will be sent specific information and practice questions for any tests you are to complete. If you are asked to complete a numerical reasoning test, please read the instructions carefully which will explain whether you can use a calculator or not. For further practice the website www.shldirect.com gives additional examples of practice questionnaires, which may be similar to the test you are sitting. They are timed so you will need to work quickly.
Personality Questionnaires
These look at a candidate's behavioural preference. If you are asked to complete a personality profile, you will usually be asked to do this online and prior to you attending a face-to-face assessment. When answering the questions try to think about how you behave at work. Do not try to guess what the company is looking for - just answer the questions honestly, they are interested in the real you. There are no right or wrong answers in personality questionnaires. British Airways does not use personality questionnaires to sift people out of the process but to help inform your overall suitability for the role. Areas from the personality profile may be explored in the face-to-face stage. If asked to complete one you will be given full details of what to do. These questionnaires are not timed but again don't spend too long thinking about your response. Please make sure you complete the questionnaire by the deadline given you.
Interviews
British Airways uses 3 types of interview: face-to-face, telephone and video interviews. Typically, interviews at British Airways are competency-based i.e. you will be asked for examples of when you demonstrated a particular skill or quality. Prepare yourself by having examples of when you have demonstrated key competencies required for the job (look at the job description for guidance). Some of your best examples may be where things went wrong - don't be frightened to use them, tell us what you learnt. In addition to the competencies, you're likely to be asked about your motivation for the role and establish your fit with the company and team you'd be working in.
Telephone Interview
- Prepare for the interview as you would a face-to-face interview
- Answer honestly and concisely
- Remember that they can't see you so speed, tone and clarity of voice are even more important that usual
- They typically last about 30 minutes and are designed for us to find out more about you and your suitability for the role but also for you to ask questions
Video Interview
- You will be sent details of how to log on and your user details
- Complete the interview in a time and place where you won't be disturbed
- Questions will be presented on screen and you will have a certain time to answer each question
- Treat the video interview as you would a face-to-face interview.
- You should allow about 30 minutes to complete a video interview
Face-to-Face Interview
- Most recruitment campaigns at British Airways will involve at least one face-to-face interview.
- Typically they are conducted by 2 trained interviewers and last about an hour
- You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the role or company
Group Exercise
A group exercise typically looks at your interpersonal, teamwork and problem solving ability. If asked to do a group exercise, you will be in a small group with other candidates. Remember to join in - it is very hard to determine if you are the best person for the role if you don't contribute anything.
Presentation Exercise
This is an exercise that is designed to assess your abilities specifically in relation to the role you have applied. Typically, you are given some information and a specific time to prepare your presentation. You should use the information given to you to help draw your conclusions and present the information back in the requested form. Sometimes you are given your presentation topic in advance of your assessment day and asked to present it on the day, other times all the information you require will be given to you on the day.
Work-Related Exercise or Case-Study Exercise
This normally involves you analysing some information or data and presenting it back either in written or verbal format. All the information you need will be given to you on your assessment day.
Role-Play
You are asked to play a part (generally the role you have applied for) and work through a real-time scenario with an assessor who will be playing a particular character. This type of exercise is designed to elicit how you would actually behave in a given situation. Full instructions of what you will be expected to do will be give to you on the day.
