Rolls-Royce plc

Competences and qualifications

With a few exceptions (detailed below), the minimum criteria for applying to Rolls-Royce are broadly the same for all of its graduate programmes:

• 2.1 or above in any subject (either achieved or expected).
• Strong pre-university academic record.
• National/international mobility.

A degree in a numerate subject is preferred (but not essential) for the supply chain planning and control programme.

Specific requirements

Engineering programmes

The entry requirements are the same whether applying for the leadership or professional excellence programme:

• MEng in an engineering subject (or the equivalent) OR a bachelors degree in engineering with an MSc in a relevant discipline.
• Grade B or above in maths and physics or chemistry A levels.

Operations management

• 2.1 or above in a technical, scientific or numerate subject (either achieved or expected).

Finance

• 2.1 or above in a relevant subject.

Core behaviours framework

Rolls-Royce has a set of key competencies known as the core behaviours framework which it expects all graduates and undergraduates to demonstrate:

1. Breadth and business understanding: commercial awareness and business knowledge.
2. Courage, integrity and leadership: commitment to ethical practices.
3. Delivering and managing work: leadership skills.
4. Influence and working together: communication skills.
5. Judgement and common sense: ability to analyse and reason.

Programme-specific skills

In addition to the core behaviours, some individual programmes also list key area-specific skills and attributes that applicants should have. These include:

Leadership development programme

• Operations management: strong leadership skills.
• Health, safety and environment: business aptitude, strong relationship skills, drive.

Professional excellence programme

• Commercial: business aptitude, strong relationship skills, drive.
• Project management: understanding of Rolls-Royce, previous experience of a leadership role.
• Purchasing: resilience, commercial drive, astute analytical and communication skills.
• Supply chain planning and control: good relationship management skills.

Application tips

This section is an overview of the application form and the process for applying for graduate jobs and internships with Rolls-Royce. Our section called 'Selling yourself in writing' is about answering questions on the form.

The application process is fairly straightforward: candidates fill in an online application form, and are invited to an assessment centre if successful. The same basic application form is used for all graduate schemes and undergraduate placements, with the only differences being in the ‘About you’ section.

Rolls-Royce says it is unable to provide feedback at the application form stage, but that candidates who reach its assessment centre will be able to request feedback on their performance.

The Rolls-Royce application form

The Rolls-Royce application form is the same for both the professional excellence and leadership development schemes (with the exception of one competency question - detailed below). The form involves several stages, which can be edited, saved and returned to at a later date. There is an option to automatically fill out some data by uploading a CV, but even without this function it shouldn’t take more than about 45 minutes to complete manually. It is mainly basic personal information, and there are a few competency-based questions.

1. Confirmation that this is your only application this recruitment cycle.
2. Diversity: Gender, self-described ethnic origin, any disabilities, and age range. Note: you can select ‘prefer not to say’.
3. Upload CV: This is optional; if you do so at this stage, the information will automatically be used to fill out the relevant parts of the form. You can review and edit this. If you don’t do it, you need to fill in the rest of the application manually.
4. Personal information: Name, address, country of residence (and region), phone number, email address, and dates of availability. It also asks if you were previously employed by the company, and where you heard about the vacancy.
5. About you: This varies depending on the scheme applied for; most of the questions are the same, but each has different job-specific questions about qualifications and work experience (ie whether or not you have them). Questions include:
   • Degree classification.
   • Ability to travel within the UK (or globally, for the leadership development programme).
   • Nationality and eligibility to work in the UK.
   • Anything the company should be aware of if invited to interview or assessment (eg disabilities, dietary requirements etc).
6. Education: details of universities and schools attended.
7. Employment history: details of previous work experience.
8. Attachments: you will have to upload a CV at this point if you haven’t already. UK applicants are not required to upload a covering letter, but are able to do so if they so wish (Note: Since your motivation and key competencies are shown by your CV and the 'about you' section, it's only worth attaching a cover letter if you feel there is something specific to add that has not been covered by either or these).

Competency and motivation questions

The ‘about you’ section of the application form also includes some questions about your motivation for applying and how you are suitable for the role. These include why you are applying to Rolls-Royce and your chosen graduate scheme and how your free-time interests are relevant to your application.

Next steps

Review Rolls-Royce graduate competencies

Strategies for answering questions on the Rolls-Royce application form

Selling yourself in writing

Before you start writing your application for Rolls-Royce, you’ll need to have done this essential preparation:

• Checked the Rolls-Royce application timetable
• Researched Rolls-Royce internships and graduate schemes
• Reviewed Rolls-Royce graduate competencies

If there’s one thing to remember if you want a Rolls-Royce job or internship:

The number one thing to remember about Rolls-Royce is that it is NOT linked to the luxury car brand – so don’t mention it!

Before writing your answer, think about some of the ‘higher-order’ functions of a leadership role you’ve taken

It’s worth noting here that one of the topics covered in the application form is your willingness to travel around the UK and, potentially, abroad. That’s no surprise from a company whose client list reads like a global who’s who – NATO, Egyptair and Nippon Airlines for starters. And as the company’s graduate programmes are rotational, candidates who are able to move around are likely to stand in better stead than those who aren’t, so it’s worth taking time to seriously consider this before applying. This is particularly important for the leadership development programme, for which at least one of the placements will be overseas.

Answering the questions on the form for Rolls-Royce’s graduate programmes

‘Explain the reasons why you are applying to Rolls-Royce and your chosen programme.’

Space given for question: Maximum 1,000 characters (including spaces) or about 250 words.

Point of question: tests motivation, level and quality of research done, self-awareness, understanding of the role, the company.

Don't do this:

1. Cutting and pasting information from Rolls-Royce’s website, e.g. writing ‘I’m serious about excellence’ because that statement heads up its graduate recruitment pages.
2. Using a generic or clichéd response, such as: ‘I want to work for an firm that offers first-class engineering solutions’, particularly without following it up with some detail.

Here are some things that you could consider to help tailor your answer:

• What recent developments within Rolls-Royce appeal to you? New projects such as a propulsion system for the world’s first liquefied natural gas-powered tugs; new products like the upgrade kit for the M250 engine; or ongoing programmes such as the company’s focus on research and development?

If you've stress-tested alloys how might this help Rolls-Royce?

• The kinds of work or projects that might be available to you as an employee in that function, and your interest in them. And any modules you studied and enjoyed at university that are relevant to the business area you’re applying to. For example, if you’re interested in the Professional Excellence Programme and your research project is in stress-testing nickel alloys then think about how this experience might help Rolls-Royce as a business. In terms of safety record? Cost savings? Both? Show you know your subject. How long has it used the alloy in its aircraft engines – since WWII or before? Who supplies it? What happens to the alloys after the engines are decommissioned?
• The culture at Rolls-Royce is one of innovation – it’s why its products are as diverse as helicopter engines and power station turbines. What have you done in your life that’s different?
• What does a graduate leadership programme with Rolls-Royce offer you that you can't get at a competitor, or in a different field altogether?
• What specific elements of the programme you would particularly enjoy (eg rotations in a particular area etc.)
• How a programme such as Rolls-Royce's will help you achieve your career aspirations.

Professional excellence question

‘Please tell us something about what you do in your spare time, including membership of clubs and positions of responsibility which you feel demonstrate skills that are relevant to the scheme you are applying for.’

Space given for question: Maximum 1,000 characters (including spaces) or about 250 words.

Point of question: tests knowledge of scheme applied for, self-awareness, ability to set very high standards for self, knowledge and appreciation of best practice within Rolls-Royce.

Don't do this:

1. Not getting the point of the question or answering all of its parts.
2. Feeling you have to use impressive words, particularly those from the Rolls-Royce website when what you need to do is describe the skills and their significance as clearly and honestly as possible.

Here are some things that you could consider to help tailor your answer:

1. The first thing to do is focus on the scheme you’re applying to. If it’s for Operations Management the skills required range from problem-solving and strategic planning to project management and environmental awareness.

The first thing to do is focus on the scheme

2. Only then, choose a ‘spare time activity’ (a broad definition if there ever was one) to illustrate your skill in action.
3. Break the ‘in-action’ side of things down as much as possible; for example, if the skill is ‘project management’ and your spare time activity is ‘setting up a website’, then:

• What advanced planning did you do?
• How did you define the tasks?
• How did you schedule and apportion tasks and timings?

Finally, relate your actions to those that may occur within a job working for Rolls-Royce. Even knowing, for example, that Rolls-Royce is growing its supply chain in Southeast Asia, with Thailand as its hub, will set you apart from other graduates wanting a role.

Rolls-Royce Leadership development question

Point of question: tests knowledge of leadership roles within Rolls-Royce, definition of own leadership style and methods.

Don't do this:

1. Being vague, eg ‘I took a leadership role as chairperson of the engineering society’. Explain what that means, what decisions you took and why; how you took them and how it developed you as a leader.
2. Being glib – leadership isn’t all plain-sailing!

Here are some things that you could consider to help tailor your answer:

1. Think about what makes a good leader. Research the topic if you like – there are conventional wisdoms on the topic, such as 'effective leaders get the team working around key principles'; but what do you think? You might not use your reflections in your answer (after all, you’re not being asked to write an essay on ‘What makes a good team leader?’). But they might give you insights into your own leadership style that you can weave into your response.

There’s a whole ‘meet the technologist’ section of Rolls-Royce’s website you ought to look at

2. There’s a whole ‘meet the technologist’ section of Rolls-Royce’s website that you ought to be looking at before answering this question. It contains videos from group leaders and other leaders in Rolls-Royce. And then there are the CEOs to research: at the time of writing, UK CEO John Rishton said that Britain needs to celebrate its engineering ‘heroes’. Why? What leadership role was he fulfilling by making that statement?
3. Think about the basics of the role you took:

• What the role involved – were you overseeing a team of 10 people? Did you take charge of a large sum of money?
• What approach did you take – did you delegate tasks or get stuck in yourself? How does this relate to what you would be doing at Rolls-Royce?
• How you feel this has benefited you – what have you learned from the experience? How have/will you use this in your working life?

And then, before writing your answer, think about some of the ‘higher-order’ functions of the leadership role you’ve taken:

• Strategy
• Style
• Opportunities identified
• Hurdles
• Outcomes
• Ensuring the same (good) outcome might occur in future (if applicable)

Next steps

• Check Rolls-Royce’s application timetable
• Research Rolls-Royce’s internships and graduate schemes
• Review Rolls-Royce graduate competencies

Interviews explained

This section is about preparing for interview with Rolls-Royce. Our section called 'Selling yourself face to face' is about answering questions on the day of your interview.

Essential preparation:

• Check the skills and qualifications required by Rolls-Royce
• Read up about a Rolls-Royce assessment day

There are two interviews in the selection process, both of which are conducted in person at the assessment centre. One interview is competency/behavioural-focused, while the other is technical. Both reportedly last 45 minutes to 1 hour. The interviews are conducted by two company representatives (usually from the relevant business area.

Before you get the interview with Rolls-Royce, assessors will have expected you to review the information on your application form

As well as the interviews, the assessment centre will include activities such as group tasks and psychometric tests, and there is also a written case study for applicants to leadership development programmes.

Technical interviews at Rolls-Royce

Technical interview questions will relate specifically to the scheme applied for, making them less generalised than behavioural interview questions. Questions for business-related schemes are likely to vary significantly from questions for engineering schemes.

Questions for other business functions will vary, but will usually be aimed at demonstrating the candidate's business acumen.

Rolls-Royce competency-based interviews

The behavioural or competency-based interview is based mainly around how well the candidate matches Rolls-Royce's 'core behaviours framework' and how well they will fit in with its culture. Assessors will likely refer to the candidate’s original application, and will enquire about their motivation for applying and invite them to demonstrate that they have the core competencies sought. Previous Rolls-Royce interview questions reportedly include those related to teamwork, leadership and other business scenarios.

Research the core competencies

Candidates are also asked to give a brief presentation about themselves during the behavioural interview, and will be provided with information about this before the assessment day.

Interview preparation: get up to date before you get to the Rolls-Royce assessment centre

Preparation is everything: Even if you did research before you applied, it’s very important to make sure you’re up to date on your knowledge of Rolls-Royce and its business just before the interview. Check out our news feed. At the time of writing, Rolls-Royce had won a £45M contract from Hyundai to design and equip four offshore vessels, designed to supply equipment and services to deepwater oil and gas platforms. It had also opened a new, 80-person-strong centre at London’s Heathrow airport servicing its Trent aero engines. Being up to date just before the interview is essential.

Rolls-Royce assessment day interview questions

Some previous Rolls-Royce interviews have included questions such as:

• What materials are used to make compressor and turbine blades?
• What would you do if you had problems with a supplier?
• What should be involved in a contract?

For a fuller list of questions click the link below on interview questions.

Next steps

• How to answer Rolls-Royce interview questions
• Review Rolls-Royce competencies
• Read about Rolls-Royce assessment centre

Selling yourself face to face

Before you turn up for interview with Rolls-Royce, you’ll need to have done this essential preparation:

• Reviewed Rolls-Royce’s competencies
• Reviewed the interview process at Rolls-Royce
• Read about Rolls-Royce’s assessment centres

On the day of the Rolls-Royce graduate interview

Most of Rolls-Royce’s assessment centres seem to be held at its site in Derby, its largest in the UK, with a meal with other candidates and senior members of the staff the evening before and an overnight stay at a nearby hotel. Although this part of the event isn’t assessed, Rolls-Royce has a world-class image to live up to – so it goes without saying that best behaviour is a must.

An interview, a meal and a stay in a hotel

Tip: When you actually arrive at the Derby assessment centre, make sure that you’re polite and professional - both to Rolls-Royce assessors and other graduates - and that you get involved without being domineering. Remember what Rolls-Royce says about its people in its recruitment material: words like ‘relentless’, ‘excellence’ and ‘collaborative’ appear frequently. Think about how you can show that you’re the kind of tenacious, team-oriented perfectionist that recruiters are looking for throughout the day, and in your answers at interview.

The basics of the interview

Any technical questions used by Rolls-Royce tend to vary slightly according to the specific discipline involved; but even so, you’re unlikely to be expected to know everything about your chosen area. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and an ability to think through problems logically, rather than explaining your entire university syllabus.

Here are some previous technical Rolls-Royce graduate questions, and how you might approach something like them.

Rolls-Royce question: identify the different parts of a jet engine and explain their function

Approach to take: It’s a terrible cliché, but really good interviewees do research their subjects. There’s a mine of information on Rolls-Royce’s site (and not just in its graduate recruitment section). The company’s ‘Journey through a jet engine’ multimedia presentation explores the fan system of a Trent aero-engine along with the compressor, combustor and turbine. Once you’ve watched the video you’ll be tested on key facets of the engine such as materials, science, manufacturing, and how it works.

Rolls-Royce question: what materials are used to make compressor and turbine blades?

Approach to take: Cromium? Cobalt? Carbon? Which is the right answer? Obvious tip: Check out Rolls-Royce’s site. Not-so-obvious tip: Check out its suppliers or specialist aero-engine sites to show you have a wider knowledge of the subject – and if you don’t know what those sites are, go find them!

Here are some previous general (ie non-technical) Rolls-Royce graduate questions, and how you might approach something like them.

Rolls-Royce question: Explain how an aerofoil generates lift in non-engineering terms.

Approach to take: Rolls-Royce will expect you to deal with people from a range of different business areas and backgrounds. Treat this as if you were actually talking to someone in a pub and use the most basic terms you can. Try using everyday examples to illustrate engineering concepts, or ask for some paper and draw diagrams if you find that easier.

Rolls-Royce question: What would you do if you had problems with a supplier?

Approach to take: This may seem angled at supply chain specialists, but it could easily be asked to applicants in any function; working relationships are an important part of a major company such as Rolls-Royce and must be treated with appropriate respect. While the question is specifically on suppliers, you could draw from your own customer service or teamwork experiences when answering. Have you ever had to deal with a tricky customer or team member? A similar approach could be appropriate in this instance.

Rolls-Royce question: What should be included in a contract?

Approach to take: Apply common sense and basic business knowledge. Consider:

• The parties involved, and what each will be doing
• The parameters of the contract (both in terms of where the work will be taking place and its duration)
• Any financial considerations
• What the legal implications of breaking the contract might be

Rolls-Royce question: what do you need to consider on your balance sheet before executing a new project?

Approach to take: again, this is very much a common sense question:

• Think through the question logically and list all the potential issues
• What kinds of equipment costs might be incurred by a new project?
• Would you need to take on new staff or provide more training?
• What existing costs would you need to keep in mind when arranging funding?

Previous behavioural questions and tips

Tip: Assessors will likely refer to the candidate’s original application, as well as asking questions about how they have demonstrated the core competencies. Make sure you know your written application inside out.

Some previous behavioural questions at Rolls-Royce graduate assessment centre interviews have been:

• Give me an example of a time when you led a team
• What do you consider your best achievement to date?
• Tell me about a time when you planned something that didn’t work out

The first two questions are similar in theme to those on the application form – so review the strategies outlined in our section called ‘selling yourself in writing’. The final question is different, but what Rolls-Royce will want is for you to avoid the ‘I can’t think of any, things tend to go well for me’ sort of answer. It’s not (usually) true; what you learned from your mistakes is far more important than the mistake itself.

Some questions you might like to ask

We really won’t be doing you any favours by giving you actual questions to ask at your interview but choose topics that show you’ve thought about the job and the company. Choose something as specific as…

• In a typical working month what the volume of ongoing projects are versus new developments

… to broader topics such as:

• the culture of the company – although don’t just ask ‘What’s Rolls-Royce’s culture like?’. You should have an idea of that already and be prepared to be intelligent although probing in your questioning.

Next steps

• Review Rolls-Royce’s competencies
• Review the interview process at Rolls-Royce
• Read about Rolls-Royce’s assessment centres

Assessments and tests

The Rolls-Royce graduate assessment centre typically includes:

• Psychometric tests (also known as aptitude tests)
• Group exercise
• Behavioural (competency) interview
• Technical interview
• Presentation

Note: Applicants to leadership development programmes can also expect to be given a written case study as part of the assessment.

In some cases, candidates are invited to a meal the evening before the assessment day, where they will meet company recruiters and managers. The company provides hotel accommodation as required and pays for candidates' travel costs.

Activities at the Rolls-Royce assessment

Psychometric/aptitude tests: These will usually be standard numerical, verbal or logical reasoning tests. A large number of practice tests are available online, which candidates would be advised to try before the day.

Group exercise: Again, this seems to be a fairly standard team-based discussion activity, in which candidates work together to come up with a solution to a business-related problem.

Interviews: Each interview lasts around one hour. The behavioural interview is a standard competency-based interview focusing on the candidate’s previous experience, while the technical interview is focused on knowledge relevant to the scheme applied for. See 'Interviews explained' for tips and example questions.

Presentation: This is carried out during the behavioural interview, and lasts around 10 minutes. Candidates are informed of the topic of the presentation (usually they will be asked to talk about themselves) in advance of the assessment day, so there is time to prepare.

Case study: Only for leadership development applicants, this exercise involves working through some documents and making a business decision based on the information. The mode of delivering the decision may vary; some previous candidates have been asked to produce a written response, while others have been asked to make a presentation or answer in a role-playing scenario.

Next step

Review strategy for Rolls-Royce interviews