Interview Processes

Just in case any of you are wondering:

1. Khazanah

4 stages.

Stage 1: 3-part IQ test involving language skills and maths. EST-like questions for language part. Maths mostly simple arithmetics but the time limit is quite short.

Stage 2: 3 tasks

task 1: in groups, you are given a task to discuss and present findings in a powerpoint presentation in a limited time frame. discussion topics mostly center on marketing and business strategies. Mine was something about promoting health tourism and MARTRADE. a brief question and answer session follows the presentation.

task 2: short essay. topic can be varied. mine was about proposing a new industry. and then something about aptitude.

task 3: one-on-one interview. their interviewers kicks ass.

Stage 3: I didn't get here, but probably with some important figure in Khazanah.

Stage 4: Interview with the Board of Trustees of Khazanah.

Number of Khazanah's scholars vary each year, depending on the quality of the candidate. From what I know, it can range from belas-belas to even just three per year.

Khazanah scholars are privileged in a sense that financially, they have more perks, Khazanah's finances are strong standing being the biggest investor in local industry, and they offer leadership grooming for their scholars. Most scholars are sent to Kolej Yayasan UEM (KYUEM) in Lembah Beringin for A-Levels, but I have known Khazanah scholars doing ADP in INTEC.

2. Sime Darby

I applied for Sime Darby prior SPM results using my trials and went for their interview. The second time I applied for Sime Darby using my actual SPM results, I didn't attend the interview, but most probably the process is almost similar.

4 Stages.

1st stage is getting through the application itself and being selected to Stage 2.

Stage 2 has 2 parts.

1st part is a group interview. Topics can range from H1N1 to Facebook to Education to Business to Green Technology. It's best you prepare yourself with general knowledge.

2nd Part is a 3-part IQ test. Part 1 and 2 is also language and maths related. EST-like questions. 3rd part is an aptitude test.

Stage 3 has 3 tasks.

task 1 is an individual task. You are given an assignment that you have to prepare and present in a given amount of time. Mine was about how to increase sales of pharmaceutical products and present data of customer satisfaction of products.

task 2 is group discussion. you will discuss among your group, usually of 7, about a given topic and the interviewers will observe you without intervening the discussion.you have to be actively participating in the discussion, contribute ideas or opinions without being over dominating the discussion. the interviewers will be looking at both content of your ideas and your personality. mine was regarding which manufacturing plant that we have to close down based on the data given.

task 3 is role play. the interviewer will pretend to be some character and you will have a role of your own. in my case, I was the Human resource manager and I have to convince a character to stay in the company instead of leaving.

Stage 4 is an interview with an important figure in Sime darby.

Similar to Khazanah, Sime darby has its perks financially, but also very few places are given.

I think Sime Darby's interviews differ year by year, but it's best you equip yourself with knowledge in business and finance or economy. Be familiar with terms like cost-benefit analysis, and I forgot what's the other thing.


3. JPA

One shot.

Group interview + online aptitude test. (kacang je nih)

Group of fives or six usually. Read up on current issues. I'm sure banyak je on the web soalan spot JPA.


4. MARA

Submit an essay. Kind of like a personal statement where you just flaunt your achievements. Kira macam jual diri ah.

One-on-one interview.

5. Petronas.

One-day Educamp in UTP. There's like tests for Chemistry, Physics, Maths and English, I think, series of talks, maybe, and a group interview, similar to that of JPA. And oh, a campus tour.

6. UEM

UEM is a body under Khazanah. Three stages. Mostly interviews. I didn't get this one.

7. PNB

A 3-part IQ test quite similar to Sime Darby and Khazanah.

8. TNB

Yang ini tanya Fikri Hisyam. But there's a debate session.

9. Yayasan Telekom

First, you go through a three day camp. No biggie. Just your regular in-group activities. No sweat. They just want to see your personality. If they don't like you, then nasiblah. Next stage is a one-on-one interview.

10. Shell

Stressful application. Then a 45-minute phone interview consisting of two parts. 1st part about yourself, second part talk about a given topic. Second stage is a group interview.

11. Bank Negara

Yang ini tak apply. But be prepared for group interviews and presentations as well as one-on-one interviews.

A general tip would be:

- practise articulating your ideas in English
- read up on current issues
- having a little knowledge in economy would be VERY helpful. During my JPA interview, they asked stuff about Malaysian economy, and for corporate bodies, obviously is very economy, finance, business, management oriented.
-have self-confidence. be yourself. I know it's tad cliche.

UPDATE: Satu lagi lupa nak pesan. Apply je SEMUA scholarships yang ada. Kita tak tahu rezeki kita kat mana, I applied for 10 (ke berapa? but around that) scholarships, went for 7 sebab 7 je dapat and ada 2 tak dapat hadir for some reason, and initially, I got none of them, sampaila terpaksa buat rayuan JPA. So, you see, result cantik tak semestinya guaranteekan tempat scholarship it depends on luck and rezeki. So, to be on the safe side, apply SEMUA, including matrik and UPU as well, as back-up plan. Always, always have a back-up plan. Alhamdulillah, I was given the opportunity to attend many interviews, so I can share with most of you my experiences, and I'm glad JPA gave me a second chance, but don't repeat my stupid mistake of not having a back-up plan. Kalu dok, tok ngaji la. Lastly, jangan apply scholarships based on "eh, scholarship ni sedakla, banyok pitih", " eh , scholarship lagi sedak pado pinjame, toksoh bayar smula,", "eh, payohla interview natang nih, malah aku nok apply, ", "bengongla application dio, leceh mapuh, malah aku apply, ", "wak godio aku apply? sikit jah dio vi. chances aku bukannya tinggi pun, ", "eleh tok glamour ah jadi scholar goni,". Apply je. jangan nak simpan harapan on just one sponsor. Some people are lucky, apply satu, dapat. Me apply banyak-banyak tak dapat. You never know rezeki you macam mana, but it's best that you prepare the best way you can.

Good luck.