Hays Assessment 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.

Hays logical reasoning test

A logical approach to work and problem solving is a necessary attribute in recruitment consultants, so a logical reasoning test is used to make sure that candidates possess the right skills to be successful in the role.

In a logical reasoning assessment, you are expected to use given information to form a logical conclusion, in a number of questions with multiple-choice answers.

Practicing logical reasoning tests will help get your mind into the right space to think logically, and also demonstrate the usual structure and layout of these types of tests.

Telephone interview

If you are successful at the aptitude tests, you will be invited to a telephone interview. This is likely to be the first time that you have had a conversation with the Hays team, so make sure that you are prepared and that you conduct yourself well to make a great impression.

In the telephone interview, you can expect to answer some getting-to-know-you questions about your CV and application form, as well as some motivational questions about why you have chosen Hays and what makes you want to work there.

These questions are designed to see how much research you have done about the company, and how much you have thought about how your studying and previous experience will help you in a future career with Hays.

This interview usually only takes about 20 minutes.

Face-to-face interview

The next stage in the recruitment process is a face-to-face interview, which might take place at a local Hays office or virtually using a video conferencing app. You will be told what to expect in your invitation.

This interview is likely to be a bit longer – about an hour or so in total – than the telephone interview, and the questions here are competency-based, looking for examples that demonstrate your aptitudes, skills, and personality.

You can expect to answer questions about your work and university experiences, and provide scenarios as evidence that you meet the required standards of competence.

To do this well, you should structure your answers using the STAR mnemonic (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Look at the competencies on the job description to help you, and try to think of good examples before you go into the interview.

Hays assessment centre

The final stage of the recruitment process for Hays is the assessment centre, which is a full day in the Hays office where you and other applicants will be tested throughout the day on various essential skills. The structure of the day may vary depending on the role and location, but you can expect to take part in the following exercises:

Hays role play

This is usually in two stages, as there are two different job roles you will be completing if you become a recruitment consultant. You will need to role play selling a candidate to a client, as well as a role play where you need to score new business from a client looking to find new staff.

For further details, check out our guide to role-play exercises.

Hays presentation

In the form of a debate, you will be asked to get up in front of the other candidates and the recruitment team and make a presentation. This starts with a statement, and you will either be arguing for or against it, and need to convince the room to side with you.

Hays written exercise

The last part of the assessment day is the written exercise. You will be tasked to write an interesting and eye-catching job description for a fictional but realistic company that will help them attract the perfect candidate.

If you are successful, you can expect to hear back within a few days.