Application Process & Interviews at Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)

The interview process was very human - didn't feel like i was talking to AI (and I wasn't). Very informal and comforting in interviews - not at all super stressful!

Multiple virtual interview rounds, aptitude testing beforehand

Historically there has been some hit and miss hiring at all levels (although I can't comment on the pool of candidates that applied in the first place)

When applying, I had to include a short bio about why I wanted to join APRA and explain an article about APRA which I found interesting. I then had online psychometric tests. Following these, an online assessment centre. The final stage was a one on one interview.

Held back in 2020 and is likely no longer relevant.

I didn't go through the formal process, so I can't comment. I applied after the initial round due to a former grad pulling out. But my process was smooth.

Multiple rounds, but the entire process was communicated clearly and well documented. I can see how the questions/assessments apply to my day-to-day work.

Graduate process results in high-quality hires due to rigour - multiple technical aspects. Good pay results in high quality hires (non-graduates) but budget means there are currently not enough hires to keep up with demand.

The hiring process is quite intense for graduates, involving multiple stages. However, it definitely is worth the experience.

The interview process was more challenging than other places. After submitting initial applications, in the assessment center candidates were required to prepare an individual oral presentation, complete a group case study and personal interview. The final interview stage was based on a case study.

There was online process with some psychometric testing, and then team interview and brief presentation (all online) before an in person interview in the Sydney office that involved a small skills based assessment and then generic interview with normal style questions.

A pretty detailed interview process and really focused on behavioural and cultural fit.

The interview process was the most "human" i encountered - at no point did i feel like i was talking to a robot rather than a human. no video interviews also!

There were of course video interviews and also in-person (remember when that used to be a thing?) assessment centres and final interviews. In both rounds, there would be interviews. The activities were mainly group-based.

The process I had to go through has changed since - but after submitting my application form, I was first asked to do a video interview. Once past that, the assessment centre consisted of a written 'test' (essentially looking at some graphs and answering some questions about them and prudential regulation), a 30 minute interview, a group activity (we had to build a Lego Ferris wheel within 30 minutes), and a presentation to a small group about our values. Once I got past that, there was a 1-hour long interview with the people who would be working in the area you expressed an interest in joining. Once successful, there was one more psychometric test.

The Graduate Program interview process is made up of a number of assessments - online and video interview, in-person assessment centre, and final interview.

2 interview rounds - 1 of which was group interview / exercise Reference check P&C were communicative

Very lengthy and arduous process.

stage 1: psychometric tests. stage 2: assessment centre. stage 3: final interview and technical assessment.

The process was very thorough. There was psychometric testing, two individual technical assessments, a group interview and an individual interview.

Mix of general interview qs and more specific qs on my understanding of the financial system

Motivations for APRA?

Held back in 2020 and is likely no longer relevant.

Background information about myself, then my response to certain situations I have faced in my working career, then some technical analysis

What does "prudential" mean? Why do you think this job is a good fit for you? What is proportionality in regulation? Technical questions.

Interests in APRA and pre-existing knowledge about the company.

There were technical skills questions about what i studied and what i wanted to work on, aswell as questions about what i am passionate about outside of work

STAR and technical questions. Questions regarding what i can bring to the organisation and what my motivations are.

Technical questions wise, was asked about how the Superannuation industry would react under several hypothetical scenarios. Behavioural wise: when was a difficult situation, tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision etc.

I was asked questions about my previous work experience at a retail job (I had not completed any sort of internships before applying to APRA), such as working under pressure and dealing with tough situations. I was also asked quite a lot of questions about me - my hobbies, what I valued, sharing about how I dealt with tough things, perspectives on life etc. I was only asked one or two technical questions, in which I was honest and said I did not know the answer to, but was willing to learn (the interviewer was pleased with that answer - it might have been a trick question). I was also asked about the area I wanted to work in, and why.

Questions about my previous experiences in workplaces, personality questions, and current risks and events faced today.

About my experience How I could contribute to APRA What I knew about financial services

a range of both technical and behavioural questions.

I was asked the usual questions such as why do you want to work here and what makes it an attractive employer. I was asked about what I did outside of uni (hobbies). I was asked about my professional experience and my expectation of the grad program.

Everything from personal attitudes, work experience, studies, areas of interest to more specific questions around governance and liquidity.

Very general

Simple, learn about what APRA does

I would recommend practicing interviews using the STAR format. Make sure to think of examples where you have worked with others. You don't need to be an expert about APRA, but should be able to explain why it is important and what the risks APRA is concerned with are.

For APRA specifically, to come off as a good mediator. The job requires being firm but delivering messages in a way that will not damage relationships.

Think about what challenges you have encountered at uni/work/other, and how you overcame them.

Understand APRA's purpose, values and responsibilities. An understanding of finance/economics would assist.

Gain thorough understanding of organisation, basic economics and commerce concepts.

They're looking for more than just what's on your resume. Be yourself as that's been more important!

Do your research and also go into the process with an open mind.

Learn as much as possible about the organisation. It is noticed in an interview when a student understands how the organisation works and what we do on a day to day basis. Prepare for broad questions and to discuss your passions and interests outside of work, particularly something that you are very interested in and love to put time into.

Join with the right motivations. Be willing to learn and take advantage of understanding things from a broader systemwide level.

Have a foundational knowledge of the Australian financial system. Know what it is APRA does and who they are. Be ready to challenge or at least curious at the interviewers.

Do read up about what APRA does generally (in particular, the mission, mandate and strategy). The website is a good start, along with public speeches and analysis papers etc. Have a particular area of interest that you would like to work in; this could be in the form of a particular industry (banking, superannuation or insurance) or in the form of a particular risk area (climate, risk culture, investments). I also strongly suggest that you be your honest, authentic self - don't try to be someone you're not, or try and be 'over the top' in proving your leadership characteristics - the assessors can see right through it. Finally, I do suggest to have fun with it - there is always a buzz when potential graduates do apply at APRA, and the assessors are really excited and keen to get to know you.

Understand APRA's purpose and mandate and see if the values align with career views and professional development.

Know what APRA does, why it does it and how it does it.

be yourself and stay on top of the news around the organisation.

Have a good understanding of the work that the authority does. Check the news page on the website to ensure you are up to date with current issues. If there is a corporate plan, read it and have an understanding of it.

- The APRA website was a great source for research on the organisation - Be authentic in interviews! - Try to balance listening and speaking in assessment centres

Be aware of why you are applying, and what you are interested in that relates to the organisation - there are a very wide range of roles that can relate to these interests. Show interest, ask questions, and don't feel you have to box yourself into some predetermined archetype.

Know about APRA generally and what it does or is meant to

Focus on the soft skills rather than solely on technical analysis.