Going for SHELL job interview?
By Zul • Jul 13th, 2007 • Category: All Things Malaysia, Career •
Did someone from SHELL call you up today to inform you that you’re short listed for an interview at their HQ in the SHELL House, Damansara next week? Feeling anxious and unsure what to prepare? Relax. First of all, you should be grateful because not every one will get the opportunity to attend job interview with SHELL. I am not saying this just because I attended one 4 years ago, but I’ve heard many classic stories from the people who had the opportunity to attend interview with SHELL and shared their interesting experience of either succeeding or flunking it before.
Just a short note to say that once you’re successfully screened for face to face interview with SHELL, your academic credentials and results will almost play no part in determining whether you’re suited to be part of their team. During this interview and assessment session, your personality, inter-personal skills, presentation skills, communications, your ability to influence people, maturity and ability to work in a team will be assessed and if they prevail, you can be welcome to the family.
I know there are quite a few types of job interviews at SHELL; the most typical one is perhaps what they call it as ‘Assessment Day’ where the job candidates and a group of assessors will spend a whole day together for a series of different assessments. Our interview started at 7am and finished at 6.30pm, so you can look forward to a very long and tiring day ahead.
The assessment was divided into 4 main sections, separated by a lunch hour session in the middle. The first session called for your ability to address a certain issue covering more of general issue and knowledge. It was geared towards assessing your presentation skills, really. I was initially given a sheet of paper that consisted of information about a few related issues, e.g. the environment, the state of education in Malaysia, employment and so on. Can’t remember exactly what the topics were. Together with other 6 candidates for that day, each of us needed to pick just one issue and we were given about 20 minutes to prepare. The presentation, attended by 2 assessors, lasted between 40 minutes to 1 hour.
The 2nd interview session involved a role play session between us and another 2 different assessors. These assessors are managers and executives normally picked by the HR department from different areas e.g. finance, HR, off shore operation, sales and trading, procurement and so on. We were given a role e.g. the CEO of Shell Group to play while the other 2 people would act as 2 of your right hand people (e.g. VP Sales and VP Operations). Our task was to attend to problems raised by your two subordinates, make decision and advise them. For example, your VP Sales complains to you that a group of people are planning to stage a nationwide protest against the oil companies, so as the CEO what would you advise them to do? Yeah, this task could soak your brain out.
Even the lunch hour also involved you sitting and dining with your interviewers. But in this case, the atmosphere was much more relaxed. Here you can take the opportunity to candidly ‘hentam’ those interviwers who gave you hard time before.
Past lunch hour it was back to business.
The next session was another play role session but it involved the candidates working as a team. The 7 of us we were given an assignment to analyze a location (one location for each) if it is suitable for mining activity. Then, during a meeting role-play, we needed to discuss together about the pros and contras of choosing your location, and which location finally would be chosen by the team. The task determined which one of us had the most outstanding influence and leadership skills as well as showed how we reacted when we were in a heated exchange and argument. About 5 assessors would sit aside and observe our discussion, and wrote down their assessment on us. This was fun.
And finally, it was the normal face to face interview that lasted about 1 hour for each person. By this time, most of our energy was already on the warning level; we’re so tired waiting for our turns that one of us had to use the ‘F’ word to describe our despair. And on top of that, I had to drive back to Penang immediately after the interview and return back to work the next day!
So hopefully the write up can give you some ideas on how to prepare for Shell job interview. My advice; if you’re short listed for SHELL interview, do not simply prepare exactly the same and do not expect similar interview session. Normally, an organization will shuffle and tweak their recruitment and assessment session from time to time to suit the latest needs. Furhter, 4 years have gone since my interview. Try your best, and good luck!
On the other note, you’ll be informed of the results within 2 weeks regardless whether you’re successful or not, and work reporting can take as long as 6 months period. As for me, even though I was informed to be successful a week later, it took them 1 year before officially offered me a place! Unfortunately I chose to stay with where I worked because of the relocation and family commitment. By the way, I can tell you that I had to endure a painstaking experience of declining a fantastic job offer by Shell (but now I have no regret) which came together with nice perks e.g. company car, mobile phone and so on!
If you have interesting experience attending job interviews either with SHELL or other company that you can share, do drop a line here.
[tags] shell interview [/tags]
Other posts you may want to read:
- Applying for Job in Shell
- Interview tip- come early or don’t come at all.
- 10 things to do to to prepare for your very FIRST job interview
- SAP Jobs with SHELL
- 5 Common Types of Job Interviews
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hi, I’ve received an invitation to interview with shell 2 days ago. (I am in Singapore) I think my interview is quite a normal one as I was asked to book a timeslot for the interview, and the timeslot appeared to be about 1 hour. btw, I am a fresh graduate from NUS singapore.
Is there any advice on this case? Interview for a fresh graduate trainee position.
Thanks
Hi Jack, in this case you should consider this a good news mainly because you can spend time preparing for the interview which is cramped into a 1 hour session. Consider splitting your preparation into 2 areas - soft skills (mainly communication) and technical (which is related to what you’ll be doing as a Trainee in Shell). A friend of mine was a trainee with Shell before in the Software division so most of the questions involved are related to programming.
hi, i am in singapore now. BTW, I just began to work here and received invitation from shell for a technical position. They’ve arranged the timeslot for me, in this case, need i go through SRD or like this?
Hi Kevin, as for as I know Shell Recruitment Day does not determine for what type of positions you will be recruited, it’s more like an overall assessment of you to decide if you score enough marks to work in Shell.
Once you’re successful, and once they decided to offer you a specific position and department, you will be called up again for another round of interview with the senior management of the said department. But this interview will not be a long session but rather a 1-2 hours chat before you both agree with the terms and sign the offer letter.
I think Shell Recruitment Day does not involve every candidate. Nevertheless, better ask Shell directly in this case. If it is a one day session, maybe it’s SRD.
Fristly thanks for your kind reply and good advice.
while on the phone, the HR lady just tolde me that they will email me the address and time, while I heard she said at 3pm, so I don’t think it’s SRD.
Additionally this is just a technical postion and with at least 3 years expereience.
According to your experience, do all the people need participate SRD if they want join shell or SRD is just for new graduates?
SRD is only one of the ways to get into Shell. There are also Shell Gourami Business Challenge, Internship, Scholarship and so on.
During my assessment session, most of us were either fresh graduates or those with max 2 years of working experience.
Hi, zul,
Thanks for your kind reply these days.
I’ve received the email confirmation that the interview will last 1 hour and the interviewer will be the lead engineer and HR manager.
So i think normally will be technical issues.
Last but not least, thanks again.
kevin
No problem. All the best in your Shell interview. Shell is a company where you’ll be learning a lot. Good luck.
hi Zul,I just went thru an interview with HR manager and Sales manager for a commercial position 1 month ago. my status still “final assesment”. I was told i would receive reply within two weeks. should i call back for an reply or wait for their reply regarding my application?
Since they promised the results in 2 weeks, i think you should call them and ask the status. During out time we got the results (reject & success) within the stipulated 2 weeks period.
hi zul, how long does it take for shell to call for an interview once shortlisted. i saw in my online application that i was shorlisted but that was like 3 weeks ago. any idea why it take so long.
Hi Johan, it could be anywhere between 1 week to few months. My first interview came about 4 months after I submitted the application via post mail. Back then there’s no facility to track our latest status. Maybe you should wait for 1 or 2 more weeks before getting a call, otherwise you can ask them what is the normal waiting period.
Good luck.
thanx zul. quite anxious and excited actually.
Hi, zul,
Just finished interview last afternoon at Singapore shell house for a technical position.
They said the result will be announced after 2 months and during this period they will continue interiviewing other candidates.
So really have no idea about this job and it lasts more than 1 hour, I think my answer is not bad, but who knows?
Just waiting….
Anyway, thanks for your kind advice during last days.
No problem. Whatever the outcome, let’s just hope it’s for the best.
hi zul,
I’ll be having my interview session with Shell Cyberjaya tomorrow morning. To tell the truth i was quite overwhelmed when they called me to attend the interview. Luckily i managed to be calmed and moderate. Am now doing some preparation and thanx for the enlightment.
I’m a recent graduate in Statistics and I’ll like to comment that a lot of companies today Celebrate certificates more than talents but I’m glad to know that SHELL is more interested in personal abilities, skills and other good qualities in their candidates. I believe this will help reveal those who really don’t have the brain but use power,influence and money to obtain the best grades in while in school. You’re a unique company, keep on matching ahead of others.
hi, i just went for the interview as well in Singapore. I think the qns were fine until they decide to test my critical thinking skills which i think i fumbled. Well in any case, i am not really that sad as i felt at least i got a chance to be interviewed. (self comforting) but i believe shell makes a good company from the way they asked qns and select its people.
i was told about the outcome in 2 weeks but i think the chance is very slim. Got too nervous so cant talk properly.
Hi Guys,
I got an interview call for Oracle DBA position in Shell. Would u guys mind sharing, how was the interview and what are the skill set they were looking for?
Thanks in advance guys..
Shell called me a week after the interview. They informed that my application was unsuccessful. I was applying for IT deep technical position. A friend of mine, my colleague actually, who went to the interview the very same day with me however did get secured. He’ll be starting there soon, and the pay… yeah the pay is delicious ; )
I was a bit down at first when they told me that but hey, when one door shuts another opens! A week after, i managed to secure a place in axonglobal and the best part is, this is my dream job. The pay is not as high as shell would give, but in the long run it will succeed.
Jag,
Based on my xp, for IT technical position the interview will be in between two to four parts, depending on ur papers. Had u have enough xp and solid technical background the interview would probably be either one or two parts. As for me, i had two parts, which are behaviorial and technical. If you were applying for Oracle DBA, you might need to brush up your knowledge a bit prior to the interview. This is a screening process. They’ll let you know the result in a week or two after the interview session. If you passed the screening process then, welcome aboard!
If i were not mistaken, for all SITI position, you will be directed under 3rd party vendor. After serving them for a year or so, and you passed your yearly review only then you will be absorbed as a permenant staff where you will enjoy the spectacular benefits of shell, which is the very reason why people want to go to there.
All the best with the interview
Hi Ahmad,
Thanks for your reply. My interview is going to be for an hour as told by the HR manager. I hope the interview goes on well. To tell u the truth, I am a bit nervous.
Another thing, I heard that SHELL IT will be outsource. If that’s the case, anyone that get hired as contract staff won’t stand a chance to be absorb as permanent rite? I am not sure but just guessing.
Thanks
oh hi
i have a shell interview SRD next month and i’m wondering what the techinical interview would be about…considering i applied for a job in finance….
i was informed by the HR that i’ll hv to attend SRD on next month. Im so curious on how the SRD will be like.could you give me some tips preparing for the interview?
tq
how many days between the phone interview and the invitation to SRD?
Hi,
I have been called for a face to face interview
for a technical position(permanent). The interview
is for 2 hours. Can anyone share their experience of the 2 hours interview they had with SHELL IT. What does the 2 hours interview comprises? Is it all technical?
Hope to get a feedback on this.
Thanks in advance.
I went through the Shell interview, and have been working for Shell for the past 3 years. I hope I can answer some of the commenter’s questions.
The post was for a technical position. There was one HR manager, and one technical manager. To my surprise, there was absolutely no technical questions.
What they want to see is how you think, and how well you can articulate your thoughts into words. The way you present your ideas must be systematic - from a holistic birds eye view - to detailed components and sub-components.
They also tested general knowledge, current issues, the government, social issues, and what not. As long as you watch the news or read newspapers, you should be fine.
Bottom line is, as long as you’re mature enough, and able to portray honesty, integrity and respect (Shell’s business principle), you’re on the right track. Just be yourself. Know how to sell yourself, but don’t over do it.
Recently however Shell has started introducing technical questions as well (for technical posts). Having said that, you should be a master of what you know. Brush up your skills, open those textbooks again and be confident.
Cheers.
i’m wondering what are the packages offered by Shell other than basic salary? housing allowance? transportation? bonus? loan?
[...] via shell interview shell [...]
Oh crap, now I’m more worried than ever about going for interviews - Shell or otherwise. Never knew it was ‘legal’ for companies to hold interviews that long which have so many different parts to it.
Do all levels of employees have to go through this, even those at the top? They can’t expect a potential director to be interviewed like this right? Right?? Haha..
BYE! And thanks for the ‘warning’.
hi all.. i just get a call from shell malaysia for the SRD on 4th Dec 07.
has anyone with the same date?
and if can, could someone give me some tips in SRD Malaysia.. 012 3763619 zack
thansk..
[...] First and foremost, according to Chai, while your academic results count, the job interview is the all-important factor that decides if will find yourself working with IBM. (Note that this is very much similar to my entry on Shell Job Interview). [...]
Hi Zul,
May I know what is ur email address? I wanna to ask something about shell. Thanks.
Hope from your reply.
nl
You can contact me via the contact form.
Hi, i want to share my experience interviewing with shell IT for technical position. It was a tiring interview since the interview went to 2 hours non stop. the first hour is to introduce your self about your current job etc. then they will ask you some of the technical question, what skill do you have to fulfill the job requirement. the next section they will ask about non-technical question, they want to know what are improvement do you have made, how well you manage a problems etc. what are EA Faisal said was true. You need ti brush your skills and dig deeper your soft skills. How ever, i still waiting for the result of my interview, either i get it or not, i will pray to God and i will accept what ever result is. That’s all. To any shell candidate, good luck for your interview and be calm.
im shorlisted for the SRD next month, HR. any comments? tips? fresh graduate here.
yeah..me too.. i’ve been called upon to attend the SRD this week! (anyone same with me?) the problem is that, i’m currently bond with other company for two years (quite long) .. i didn’t expect shell call me again, after 7 months of the first interview.. plus, i’ve heard of rumours that SITI will be outsource.. huh.. any comments? advices? thx in advance
I finished the first interview in Singapore 5 weeks ago and my application status is still “shortlisted”. Wondering if my interview has been successful? Should i call them up?
michael, u dont have to call them, just wait, if they want u, they will call.
i just finished my srd last 2 days.. now im waiting.
hye ammar,
just want to ask whether u got the job or not? bcoz all my teams (during srd) did not manage to get the job
hye peeps! when was ur srd (wa)? did they call u personally telling that u didnt get it? guess what? im still waiting for their call.. been 2 weeks already.. hahaha!! well.. i think i just have to wait then..
ammar mh
my srd was before CNY. then, all of my teammates still contact each other after the srd.
then, one of my friend ask us to check the status online. yeah.. the result should be within 3 working days.
why don’t u check the status online or simply call them. but for my case, they not even bother to call me telling i’m rejected:p maybe that’s the procedure
i was attached to a shell shared service centre previously…shell is a really good company to work for…not just for the work/technical experience and the perks…what i miss most is the work culture…once you worked with shell, u’ll bring the values anywhere u go..the integrity, respect stuff…
and yeah…the managers seem to be mentally trained to recognize good talents n good personal traits..not just what on paper(qualifications)
Hi Zul,
Recently, i’ve applied for the Gourami Bussiness Challenge program and i was shortlisted for the interview. I have two options to choose from: Face to face (Shell House Damansara) or phone interview. Since im a east malaysian, i chose phone interview. My question is, are the procedures for conducting the interview session same as those mentioned in this forum, eg. technical postion and etc.
Please advise.
Zul reply on April 8th, 2008:
I had a quite similar experience to yours. I got a call from Shell to attend interview in Damansara. After explaining that I’d need to make arrangement as I was in my hometown in Terengganu, they said, “Oh, that’s ok. In that case we will conduct the interview over the phone.”
The phone interview (about a few days later) tested my conversational ability and doing some analysis. The interviewer actually called me twice - first for early introduction, and second about 1 hour later after giving some questions for me to prepare with answers. There was no technical questions as I can remember.
At the end of the phone interview, I was told that they’ll arrange for the face to face interview - the one I explained above. They actually compensated my lodging and traveling expenses.
In your case, I am not 100% sure if there will be further assessment after the phone interview. You should check out with them.
Hi Zul,
Thanks for your advise. I’ll appreciate it.
Out of my surprise, I got a call for a phone interview by tomorrow. Kinda happy yet nervous. I will be graduating by this end of month, majoring in Marketing Management. May i know what sort of questions will they asking for those who are doing business studies. As I went through the comments, most of you guys applying for a technical-related job. I am a freshie so I really no idea what position will they putting me in as I was applying for Gourami but they said Gourami is opened for those who are still at there final study. Mind we discuss via email?
Thanks and best regards,
Caroline
Hello, I’m Wai Loon a first year student in MMU.
I was shorlisted for scholarship interview at the beginning of the month.
It has been past two weeks now and i have not heard any news from them.
Is this scholarship interview same as the SRD?
What is the next stage after the scholarship interview?
Zul reply on April 17th, 2008:
SRD is for employment. Scholarship is for… scholarship. They may have some similarity but I don’t feel scholarship is that intensive.
Thanks Zul,
I’m just quite concern because it has been two weeks now since the interview.
Normally how long will it take for SHELL to notify me wether the interview is successful?
Please advice.
Zul reply on April 23rd, 2008:
Few weeks.
Hi, I just got a call from Shell for SRD on the 29th april (next tue), Singapore
They mentioned its a SRD catered to the trading department, how should I prepare for this? Study abt oil trading? any advice?
Oh, anyway, Shell called me 3 mths after the first interview. If you are shortlisted, they will wait for engh ppl then organise a SRD, thats what the lady told me.
Please advice
Zul reply on April 23rd, 2008:
My offer was from Shell Trading.
Go figure.
I am a fresh grad and I was also called for an SRD on the 29th April, but i am applying for supply and distribution deaprtment. Will I be having the same SRD with Ah Q which is catered for trading department on the same exact day ? Could I have a technical questions during the recurutiment day about supply and distribution?
Thanks and best regards
Ard
Zul reply on April 25th, 2008:
Yes, the likelihood is quite high. I think you guys will be meeting each other.
Hi ,
SITI invited me to get an interview by phone for technical position. And it will run for 45 minutes until 1 hours. Any idea about what they will ask in the interview? Will they ask my expected salary in the first interview? If yes, how to find out the salary range for the technical position in SHELL IT?
What are the differences between SHELL IT (SITI) and SHELL? As an SHELL IT employee, will we receive the same benefits as SHELL employee?
Thanks in advance for the information.
Dear sir,
I got a call from Shell refineries, Singapore for the Project Engineer position, Can anyone please advise or provide some details about the
1content of interview
2 salary expectation(Present Market)
3.Guidence to suceed
Rgds
Sanjay
I have been thru 2 rounds of the technical interview (telephonic). now i shall have to pass through HR interview. Can somone please guide/ advise what does an HR interview comprise of. This is urgent, please.
Regards
What is the difference between the Expat and Locl Contracts for a Shell company. Seek your kind advise, please.
Regards,
[...] to take, prior to going to the interview room? Is it a group interview assessment, just like the Shell Job Interview I posted before? Because if it is maybe you want to grab 2 pieces of large pizzas the tonight so [...]
Scarily, i am attending the SRD in Miri, Sarawak next week (17th June)..anyone on d same day? huuhh.. i just dunt have any idea wat to prepare, they told me there will b 3 part of the interview session which are 1stly on case study, 2ndly on group xtvt n 3rd part is technical part.
my problem is i am not very fluent in english.. i am just moderate. i am afraid that this may influent the assesment because as u said it involved presentation skill..
Feeling nervous as everyone else, i am a fresh graduate and going through a phone call interview with SHELL. Have no idea at all what to expect. I chose a technical position, and feeling a lil bit uncomfy as this rush is killing me of what they might inquired during the phone session. Any tips from u guys?
Thnx,
XxXx
Hi All,
I have been invited for Shell interview First round, can anyone pls share the interview questions? I had once interviewed for them at the Hague and unlike ibanks in London which move on to different competencies, this lady kept asking me more sub-questions about the example I gave..
Pls help.
thanx
shwe
Hi
I have question regarding a friend.
She was successful at Shell Singapore interview for a commercial position and subsequently invited for SRD, unfortunately SRD date was not suitable for her thus informed them to line her up for subsequent SRD.
She was told that they would keep her in the list for any next STD, (but they seems to saying this is last SRD for the year) or she can apply again next year.
I would appreciate if someone could tell,
How shell graduate programs works?
Do they hire one batch a year or it is year round recruitment?
if she still have chance of geting invitation for SRD this year?
thanks
I applied to SHELL internship program few days ago and they are now arranging an interview. I told them i will choose for telephone interview because I will not be available in Malaysia. What should I prepare from now? The interview will be on Tuesday morning. As far as i know, they will assess me base on my ability to solve current issue pertain to global companies, it sounds hard. I must nail this, any word of advice?