Hays Tests

Careers at Hays

Careers at Hays can start with an internship, or a position as an Associate Recruitment Consultant for recent graduates or career changers. There are also roles available for experienced professionals.

The internship programme is aimed at undergraduates, and is a 12-month placement for those who are commercially minded and committed.

Graduate opportunities include a nine-month initial development period where Associate Recruitment Consultants begin to develop and maintain a portfolio of clients as well as source high-quality candidates. During this time, graduates receive regular, structured feedback and access to all the employee benefits.

Working at Hays has the following benefits:

• Competitive salary and uncapped earning potential

• Generous holiday entitlement

• Life assurance, pension schemes and health schemes

• Gym membership, discounts on hotels, leisure, restaurants and retail

• Maternity and paternity leave

Hays describes its workplace as a ‘meritocracy’, and rewards employees for good work with a range of different recognition schemes - including Hays Elite membership, where the top 100 employees get an all-expenses-paid 5-star holiday abroad.

Throughout the application process, which can be quite lengthy, your research about the company will come in useful to help you understand the type of person they are looking for in the role.

The Hays values will be of great importance when you are answering questions in an interview, or when you are tailoring your CV for the role.

All the information you need to learn more about the role and the type of person that they are looking for should be in the job description when you apply, but the following values are usually part of that:

• Passionate about people

• Ambitious

• Expert

• Insightful

• Innovative

• Do the right thing

Bear these values in mind when you are talking to the Hays recruitment team.

Hays online application

The online application form for Hays is relatively straightforward and simple; just a few contact details are needed. They want to make sure that you are suitable for the role, and have details to hand to be able to contact you for the next stage.

The most important thing to attach to the application form is a CV; as recruitment specialists, Hays knows what makes a good CV. Take some time to review yours before applying, and make sure it is tailored to be specific to the role you are applying for.

Ensure that it demonstrates the key aptitudes and skills that Hays looks for, as well as any relevant qualifications and training.

Hays Aptitude Tests

If your application form matches the criteria the recruitment team are looking for, then you will be invited to take part in the next stage (online aptitude tests) within a couple of days.

The number of aptitude tests and the order will depend on the role that you have applied to, but it could be one (or more) of the below. Your Hays recruiter will let you know what tests you will be taking, and you should find out who publishes them for more specific and useful practice beforehand.

Hays numerical reasoning test

A numerical reasoning test is an assessment of your ability to read, understand and analyse data presented in tables or charts, and complete basic maths questions about that data.

This is not a maths test. You do not need to have extensive knowledge of maths to be successful; however, you will need to know how to multiply, divide, add and subtract as well as manipulating percentages, fractions and ratios.

The content of this test is not challenging, but the test parameters (including a short time limit) make these tests more difficult.

Practice makes perfect, and you can find examples and practice numerical reasoning tests online so that you know the type of questions you might be asked and how best to answer them.

Hays verbal reasoning test

In a verbal reasoning test, you are presented with information in the form of a passage of text, very often in formal language or ‘business speak’. Following this passage is a question with multiple-choice answers.

To be successful at a verbal reasoning assessment, you need to be able to read, understand and analyse the written information under time pressure, and find the right answer.

Although not a test of English, it is easier to perform a verbal reasoning test in your native language, and if you have not had much exposure to formal writing you might find it challenging.

Again, practicing these tests is invaluable so you can get used to the idea of using just the information you are given to answer the question; previous knowledge usually does not apply as the answer will be buried in the text. Time is a factor here, since these tests usually have a tight time limit.