The Macquarie Assessment Test and Hiring Process
Macquarie is global financial services and banking company. The company is based in Sydney, Australia, is valued at more than $10 billion, and has 14,000 employees worldwide. There are regular vacancies in the company for a variety of jobs and to help its HR staff choose the ideal candidate each time, it uses a unique selection process with four distinct stages. The company’s selection policy is proving so effective that many other companies are now using the Macquarie Assessment Test and Hiring Process.
As Macquarie approach to recruitment becomes increasingly common, it is well worth being familiar with the structure used so that if you are applying for a position in the UK and find that this will be the selection process that the company follows, you will not find the prospect of completing it daunting. An important point to remember is that this method of assessment takes time to complete, and from your initial online application to a firm job offer can take as long as four weeks.
Stage one: The Online Application
The first stage is to complete the online application form, which will be asking basic questions about your background, qualifications, and relevant experience. You will be asked to attach your CV to the application and a covering letter.
The covering letter you send needs to be carefully written as it needs to demonstrate that you fully understand the role for which you are applying and that you are suitably qualified for the position. Recruiters will also be looking for motivation in your application letter and a real desire to secure the job.
Stage two: Psychometric Assessment
These are a series of different assessments depending on the role you have applied for. The tests can be completed either online at home or in one of the Macquarie offices. It is possible to complete some test assessments beforehand, and this is strongly recommended.
The psychometric assessment includes the following:
- Numerical abilities: You will be shown data on a table or chart, and you will require to interpret the information and complete multi-choice questions in this 20-minute assessment.
- Verbal reasoning: In this assessment, you will be given a passage to read and asked about the information it provides in a series of multi-choice questions. The aim of this is to assess whether you can analyze information accurately.
- Abstract reasoning: You will be shown some patterns and asked if you can find any patterns in them. This test is actually assessing how you organize information and use it to solve problems.
- Personality test: In this, you will be given a series of statements, and you will be asked to list them in order of importance to you. This is designed to assess your personality and whether it will fit in with colleagues and the company’s culture.
Stage three: Telephone Interview
The third stage of the assessment test is a ten-minute telephone interview with one of the recruiters. The recruiter will be keen to hear how you answer questions and whether you are confident on the telephone. It is good to practice speaking on the telephone, and it is also key to know exactly what you wrote in your CV and cover letter. At the end of the telephone interview, you will be invited to attend a face-to-face interview.
Stage four: Face-to-Face Interviews
It is usual for Macquarie job candidates to be asked to two 45 minute interviews. The first is competency-based, and the second skills-based. The interviewers will be looking for special qualities in you as they are looking for ambitious, creative, and committed individuals. They want people who have an analytical mind, who are honest and determined. They are looking for a commitment to clients and an entrepreneurial spirit, plus that special blend of being both a great team player and someone with plenty of initiative. After the final interview, if all has gone really well, you will receive a job offer and will have five working days to accept it.
Start practicing today and improve your hiring chances.
Tip
Familiarize Yourself with the Assessment Process: Gain a clear understanding of the assessment process, including the specific assessments you will be undertaking and the areas they will evaluate. Research the types of assessments commonly used by Korn Ferry, such as psychometric tests, interviews, and behavioral assessments.
Macquarie assessment test sample
Numerical Reasoning:
If you buy 3 shirts for $15 each and 2 pairs of pants for $20 each, how much do you spend in total?
A) $65
B) $75
C) $85
D) $95
Verbal Reasoning:
Which of the following words is most nearly the same in meaning to “obstinate”?
A) Stubborn
B) Flexible
C) Amiable
D) Generous
Logical Reasoning:
If all apples are fruits and some fruits are red, can it be logically assumed that some apples are red?
A) Yes
B) No
Personality Assessment:
How do you typically approach new challenges at work?
A) I avoid them if possible.
B) I tackle them with enthusiasm and creativity.
C) I approach them cautiously, seeking guidance if needed.
D) I delegate them to others.
How do you prefer to work?
A) Alone, focusing on individual tasks.
B) Collaboratively in a team.
C) A mix of both individual and team tasks.
D) I have no preference.
Spatial Reasoning:
Which shape comes next in the sequence: Triangle, Square, Pentagon, Hexagon, _?
A) Heptagon
B) Octagon
C) Nonagon
D) Decagon
General Knowledge:
Which currency is used in Japan?
A) Yuan
B) Yen
C) Euro
D) Dollar
Situational Judgment:
A colleague is struggling with a task that you are skilled at. What do you do?
A) Ignore it and focus on your own work.
B) Offer to help and provide guidance.
C) Complete the task for them.
D) Report their struggle to a manager.
How do you typically handle stress at work?
A) I try to avoid stressful situations.
B) I manage stress through organization and focus.
C) I often feel overwhelmed by stress.
D) I seek support from colleagues and supervisors.
Critical Thinking:
If the statement “All managers attend weekly meetings” is true, which of the following must also be true?
A) Some people who attend weekly meetings are not managers.
B) No one who attends weekly meetings is a manager.
C) Everyone who attends weekly meetings is a manager.
D) None of the above must be true.
