This took place over a full day, with an interview towards the end. The team were very clearly looking for a specific type of person, rather than just the person with the most experience. That's rare, which certainly peaked my interest. Every task we were given made sense. Both in relation to the role we were applying for, but just testing things like communication skills etc. Seeing that if you're unsuccessful, you'll be advised as soon as possible, is definitely a positive. I can see why some people might find that difficult to manage, but when it's definitely better to not waste people's time. I found the whole day challenging, but clear throughout. There's clearly a brilliant culture, and you need to bring the right people in to maintain that. Doing so can't be easy, so I commend the recruitment team for having such a robust assessment day to figure out if someone fits in.

I think the interview process / assessment process for the “apparent” underwriter job role is massively stupid. First of all, be careful before you apply for this job. If it is advertised as a trainee underwriter, I think they all fall under the same category and you are classed as a customer service representative as when you apply you are lead to believe it’s a mixture of phone work and documentating whereas when you get there they advised it’s 100% phone based ( call centre). I have experience in finance and part of my job is assessing peoples income and expenditures. There was only one task from the day which was based on this. The rest of the tasks were telling you to “describe a picture” with the other person having to draw it and vice versa. They ask you why they think they are having you complete each tasks and it’s a variety of how well you react to pressure, how well you are at making a decisions. I can assure ANYBODY reading this … my decision making work-related is completely different as apposed to my decision making on a hypothetical open roofed boat deciding which 12 items to take on there to survive. Also tasks where you have to stand up in 60 seconds and describe a story in chosen words… it’s seriously pathetic and makes you feel like you are completely incompetent. They aren’t assessing how well you would be at the job, they are making you look a bit of a clown. I can honestly say that I’ve never been assessed on how I describe a stupid picture with different shapes on for another person to draw I’m sorry but… the assessment days are extremely stupid and extremely unfair. They should actually throw in tasks that are meant to be related to the job as apposed to ones where they are clearly testing your confidence. You could get someone ( I.e me) who is so confident on the phone, so confident at any job I do and work so hard and can evidence this through previous employment and achievements. But they don’t want that… they want to see how you act in a group setting as apposed to if you would actually do your job extremely well. For anyone thinking of applying… maybe read this so you are aware of the assessment process because it is 100% unfair. They pride themselves as a fair company with good “work culture” but the way they have assessed everyone today, sending people away with actual work experience and people who are really confident is just crazy. If it actually was a job to be a trainee underwriter, you’d think they would interview you based on your previous work experience and if you are aware of the regulations of finance etc. You could literally put the most perfect person for the job in the room and they’d crumble at what they make you do. Word of advice - include assessments relating to the job. If you want to see peoples telephone manner, set up fake calls. If you want to see how people can recognise errors on payslips / bank statements set more tasks for this. If you want to see if someone can make decisions BASED ON AFFORDABILITY !!!! Not on a BOAT or not on a few shapes on a piece of paper… then add more tasks in for this. Good luck to anyone who works here in regards to trying to move up in the company as well. The job description says there is learning and development progression but we were told it can take 5+ years to develop into a higher job which is just “team leader”… noooo thanks!