BHP Billiton Assessment Centre, Aptitude Test and Interview Questions Preparation

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There are many modes of entry into the world of BHP, but the most extensive route is that of the BHP graduate program. For this reason, we will be focusing on this stream. If you are applying for a different position such as an experienced worker, the recruitment process is not as extensive, but you can expect to face some psychometric assessment and a number of different interviews.

BHP Billiton has over 125,000 employees across the globe with more than 850 new graduates coming into the business each year. They are the world’s leading diversified resources company and search for exceptional people to help the business grow. Learn about the BHP recruitment process below.

In this application form, you will be given a chance to upload your CV, as well as complete some competency questions, if you are applying for the BHP graduate program. Integral to your application is the need to demonstrate that you have and use these key values in your daily life. In your answers, you need to incorporate these competencies in order to make your application stand out. Each application is read individually before moving on to the next stage of the recruitment process. For this reason, it is very important that you know how to answer these questions in the correct manner, as well as producing the best CV that your qualifications and skills represent.

The key values of BHP are:

• Sustainability: High levels of health and safety.
• Integrity: Making sure that everything you do is correct.
• Respect: Being open, trusting and investing time in fostering productive relationships.
• Performance: Stretching your capability to the highest level possible.
• Simplicity: Focusing on what is important.
• Accountability: Accepting responsibility and delivering on commitments.

If you have come through the initial application screening, you will be asked to complete three SHL practice tests, with a fourth following on for certain, high-level positions. These three tests have to be completed successfully in order to continue the BHP recruitment process. Practising these tests is of absolute importance, as you will be under severe time pressure and presented with material that is often terse and difficult to fully comprehend on your first reading. We will go through each test below.

In the numerical test, you will be presented with statistical tables, graphs and ratios that you need to analyse carefully and answer multiple-choice questions relating to the material. Notwithstanding the often complicated material that you have to comprehend, you will also be under extreme time pressure that cannot be ignored. Many prospective employees have been cut down due to a lack of sufficient preparation. Hence it is important to practise these tests in order to understand the concepts and learn how to work productively under pressure. 

In this test, you will be presented with a passage of information that often contains a variety of different, interrelated facts. For each passage, you will be presented with between two and four multiple choice questions. These passages are often worded in a difficult fashion making them hard to evaluate. Practising for these tests is again very important in order to make sure you obtain the best possible results. 

This test is commonly called the IQ test where you are given a variety of different shapes and matrices and you have to work out what the next shape will be. These tests are often acknowledged as the best predictor of success as you need to understand logical thinking patterns in order to successfully complete the tests. These skills, although in a slightly different format to what you would expect in an office are invaluable to your success. You can learn how to spot these logical patterns by practising tests in both a test and untimed practise session that gives you full explanations to questions. See our SHL-style logical reasoning pack or our logical reasoning sample questions for more information.

All of these tests are important to your continuation in the BHP recruitment process so all need to be taken seriously. 

If you have been successful in the previous SHL psychometric tests, you may be asked to complete the SHL video interview before you will be invited to have a phone interview with BHP. This BHP phone interview lasts for about 40 minutes and mainly focuses on the key competencies of BHP. It is recommended that you answer the questions in the STAR method, where you answer each question in a fashion that presents a story with a problem that you solved. You can prepare notes and answers to the possible questions before the actual interview. Moreover, using these notes during the interview and taking your time to answer the questions is perfectly acceptable.

• Why do you want to work for BHP Billiton?
• What is your biggest strength?
• What is your biggest weakness?
• What challenges do you think you will face in this position?
• Tell me about a time you led a team?
• Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a stressful situation.
• What do you do when you disagree with a co-worker?
• Have you ever had to deal with something unsafe? What did you do?

The best way to prepare for the BHP interview is to actually take one! You can do this with a helpful friend but this is not the preferred way, as they will not have expert advice and tips for success. 

If you are applying to one of the BHP graduate schemes and have come through the previous stages of the recruitment process, you will be asked to attend the BHP assessment centre. During this assessment centre, you have to complete a number of different activities and assessments. We will outline the tasks you will face below.

This interview is similar to the previous BHP phone interview, with the exception that it is more focused on your behaviours than motivations as was the case in the telephone interview. This interview is approximately one hour long and conducted by a member of the HR team.

Following on from the interview, you will be in a group with six other people. You are each given a brief that closely resembles the work you will hope to take part in. For example, you will be given a brief that contains information about renewable energy and the way forward. You have to analyse the information and create a recommendation that fits within your budget. Each one of the candidates is given a specific role and you have to argue your case in the role that you have been given. Learn more about group exercises and role-play.

In the presentation exercise, you are teamed up with one other candidate in order to prepare a presentation on a certain topic. You have to demonstrate that you have covered all the relevant points presenting any advantages and disadvantages. This presentation needs to be done with your partner so you have to demonstrate that you can work well as a team, one of the key values of BHP.

If you come through the BHP assessment centre you will be invited back for a tour of the site you will be working in. This can be anything from a one to a three-day event. As well as this, you will need to take a medical to ensure you are in a reasonable state of health.

We hope you have found this article helpful and we look forward to helping you out with your application, good luck.