Financial Conduct Authority General Intern Interview Questions
& Process

The interview process was absolutely ridiculous. We were told a decision would come in 1-2 weeks, but some of us waited five. The mental stress was unacceptable, and I know someone deeply affected. They offered no apology or compensation. It's disappointing that an organization acting as a watchdog in the UK finance domain doesn't uphold the standards of integrity, honesty, and expectation management it should be setting. A total disgrace.

I applied for the Change summer internship late last year. The whole process took a few months, but it wasn't too drawn out. First, there was an initial application, then a first online test. It was untimed and included situational judgment tests, numerical reasoning, and logical reasoning questions, which is pretty standard. After that, I did a second online test, which I think was a job simulation. It was similar to the first test but felt more like a real job and was more engaging. This one was also untimed. In late January, there was a virtual assessment center. I had a good amount of time to get ready for it, although the initial information provided was a bit vague compared to other assessment centers I've done. The assessment center itself was quite short, only lasting half a day. I was a bit disappointed because it wasn't very relevant to the actual role, and the assessments (apart from the interview) weren't related to Change's work at all. They tested similar skills, but I would have preferred tasks that were specifically about Change, which surprisingly weren't included. The platform used for the assessment center was okay, though I've used better ones. The employees were nice and friendly, which made me feel comfortable. I ended up passing the assessment center, but I was put on a waiting list because other candidates scored higher. Overall, it was a great experience up until the disappointing assessment center, which I think really needs to be redesigned to be more tailored to the specific role.

You'll go through written questions, a phone interview, and an assessment centre where we'll look at your motivations, values, market awareness, and job awareness. To get ready, check out our values and prep some stories. Also, read the news and pick a division to focus on. Find something cool the FCA did and explain why it inspired you. Don't rush, take your time.