Openreach Field / Application Engineer Interview Questions
& Process

The interview process involves 5 competency-based questions that focus on your personality, your potential contributions to the company, and how you'd handle specific scenarios involving different people or customers.

After submitting my CV and filling out the online application, I heard back from the recruitment team within 3-4 days to schedule a video interview. The video interview was straightforward; I was advised to relax, turn off my self-view, and use notes placed behind the screen for reference. It's crucial to research potential questions, as there are two attempts allowed per question. A few days later (3-5), I was invited to an assessment center, which was the final stage. There was a four-week waiting period with no communication, so I called them, and the next day received an email with the location and date. On the assessment day, I arrived early, prepared with company research and potential questions. There were 20 candidates from various locations, and we weren't competing against each other. The English, maths, and ICT tests were simple, as they are meant to gauge the level for NVQ training if hired, and likely don't affect the outcome. The practical test involved a demonstration of tasks like connecting and stripping wires, which I had to replicate. It was simple, and I remembered to wear goggles and clean up afterward. I then had two interviews with patch managers, who manage teams of engineers. They advised being friendly, confident, and relaxed, as they've been in similar positions. Before the interviews, the recruitment manager gave a presentation about the job, and there was an opportunity to ask experienced engineers questions. Remember to bring your passport, driving licence, and proof of address, and research the company thoroughly. Two to three days later, I received an email informing me I passed. However, they mentioned a lack of immediate job openings in my area but assured me they'd be in touch. I'm anticipating another email, though this doesn't mean I don't have a job, just that I need to wait. Overall, it was a good experience. If offered a position, there's a mandatory week-long training at a center up north, followed by 4-6 weeks at a local training center before being deployed with a buddy. The process felt very similar to army recruitment, but without the physical demands.

The whole interview process for Field Engineer Trainee was quite fast. It started online with a situational skills test just a day after I submitted my application. Everything was online until the assessment day, which included a video interview that happened a week after the skills test. This video part was a bit tough as I had to answer questions while looking at myself and the screen. After passing that, I got invited to an assessment centre in Bristol. I was surprisingly confident for the assessment day, even though I'd seen some negative feedback online. I felt relaxed and welcomed. After signing in, we started with a presentation. Then, the group split, and I did the skills test and interviews first. The skills test involved wiring and connecting wires using crimping and terminating techniques on a wooden block, replicating a provided demo. I was told to take my time, check each wire's security, and neaten up the work if I finished early, using the provided tool bag. I was encouraged to ask for help with tools if I hadn't used them before. Next were the interviews, split into two parts: one focused on personal introduction, motivation for joining Openreach, and health and safety. The second situational interview was about customer service and handling difficult scenarios. They really probed my answers, so I was prepared for follow-up questions. Both interviews went well. Following that, there were 40-minute Maths and English assessments. I’d recommend brushing up on these beforehand, though I managed okay without it. The day lasted about 5 hours, and during waiting periods, I got to chat with other engineers and ask them questions.