Careers at NatWest
NatWest is a commercial and retail bank headquartered in the UK. The bank provides personal, corporate and commercial banking services to clients internationally. The bank is customer-focused, priding itself on its services to its customers in helping them reach their potential.
This includes the bank's focus on its employees in helping them learn, develop and grow.
NatWest is a major player in the UK banking market. The bank is regarded as one of the four major clearing banks in the UK and has a significant presence on the high street with over 900 branches throughout the UK.
NatWest offers a full range of financial products and services including mortgages and loans to SME's who do not bank with NatWest day-to-day. Like all major banks, NatWest offers an online banking service as well as mobile banking units for customers who live in rural areas. As a bank, NatWest has the ambition to be the best banking organisation for its customers and the communities it operates in.
NatWest Application Process
NatWest has several career opportunities for candidates at all levels of experience. Specific career paths are offered as follows:
- Apprenticeship scheme
- Graduate opportunities
- Internship opportunities
- Experienced career opportunities
As with many large employers, the application process for roles with NatWest is comprehensive and designed to ensure that the right candidates are selected to join the organisation.
The application process consists of four main stages:
1. Application stage: candidates apply by either completing an application form or uploading their CV. The method of application varies depending on the type of role.
2. Online tests: candidates are invited to complete various online psychometric tests
3. Video interview: Successful candidates at the online testing stage are invited to the video interview stage.
5. Interview and assessment centre: candidates applying to the graduate or internship programme will be invited to attend an interview and assessment centre. Other roles may only require candidates to participate in a final interview.
It is worth noting that the application process sometimes varies according to the type of role, for example, if the position is highly specialised.
NatWest Aptitude Tests
Once an application form is submitted, candidates are invited to complete various online tests. These tests are a mix of psychometric ability tests as well as behavioural tests. The tests are included in the recruitment process to assess whether candidates share the same values as NatWest and whether they have the required abilities to succeed in the role applied to.
It is worth noting that the online assessments a candidate sits will depend on the role or programme applied to.
NatWest Motivational Questionnaire
As part of the application process, some candidates may be required to complete a motivational questionnaire. This assessment is different from an ability test in that there are no right or wrong answers.
The questions look to focus on a candidate's motivations when in the workplace. The motivational questionnaires help the employer understand what motivates you and what enthuses you about work.
When completing a motivational questionnaire, it is crucial to answer the questions honestly without second-guessing what you think the recruiter wants to hear.
All assessments at NatWest are aligned to the bank's critical people capabilities so make sure to have read these before completing assessments.
NatWest Situational Judgement Test
The situational judgment test is included in the recruitment and selection process for many graduate and internship level vacancies.
This assessment isn't an ability test but an assessment of how a candidate prefers to behave in the workplace. Questions are presented in the form of scenarios that candidates are likely to encounter when on the job. Candidates then need to select which of the multiple-choice statements that follow best describes how they prefer to act or behave if faced with the scenario.
There are approximately 15 questions in the test to complete in around 20 - 30 minutes and focuses on whether a candidate's values when at work align with those of NatWest's.
It is important to read the question carefully and answer it honestly without second-guessing yourself when completing this test. That way, you will present a true and accurate picture of how you behave in work situations.
NatWest Numerical Reasoning Test
The numerical reasoning test is an aptitude test that measures a candidate's numerical ability. This test focuses on whether a candidate can read, understand, analyse and draw conclusions from numerical information such as figures, statistics, graphs, or charts.
The test isn't assessing numerical knowledge but the ability to think analytically and reason when presented with numerical data.
The numerical reasoning test is a timed test, so working quickly but accurately is important to ensure that you give yourself the best chance to complete all of the questions in the test. Make sure you remain calm when sitting the test and approach each question in a positive frame of mind even if you have found the previous question challenging. Practicing tests and taking the test in a quiet environment is also advised to perform at your best.
NatWest Logical Reasoning Test
The logical reasoning test assesses a candidate's ability to think conceptually. This is a timed test with questions presented in the form of shapes, patterns of sequences.
Candidates need to use their logical reasoning skills to determine the relationship between these shapes or patterns and then use the understanding to select which of the shapes would follow next in the sequence or pattern.
This test measures a candidate's non-verbal abilities and ability to problem-solve based on abstract information.
The timed nature of the test adds an extra element of pressure to the test, so making sure you have practiced logical reasoning tests before sitting the test is important. Doing so means that you are familiar with the format and the style of questioning.
NatWest Video Interview
If successful at the online tests, candidates are invited to attend a video interview. This interview differs from other video interviews in that the interview is not a 1:1 interview where candidates are interviewed by an interviewer.
Instead, the NatWest video interview is where candidates are asked to record their responses to a set number of questions. There is a time limit for each question, and candidates can review the question before recording their answers.
Once completed, these responses are then sent to the recruiting team for them to assess.
The interview should last up to 30 minutes and the questions asked are a mix of situational and competency-based questions.
It is worth remembering that responses to the questions are assessed against the NatWest critical people capabilities. Ensuring that you have reviewed these and the job description is important before recording your answers to the questions.
NatWest Virtual Assessment Centre
If successful at the video interview stage, the final stage of the NatWest application process is the virtual assessment centre and final interview.
Candidates who have applied for graduate and internship positions will be invited to an assessment centre which incorporates a final interview. Some roles may only require candidates to attend a final interview.
For graduate and internship candidates, the assessment centre includes the completion of additional assessments such as:
- Group exercises: assess how well candidates can work together in a team environment when presented with a task to complete. The group assessment focuses on whether candidates display team working skills, whether they listen to each other, contribute to the team activity, and work together as a team to reach an overall conclusion
- Individual exercises: assessing whether candidates can review the information and discuss it with an interviewer
- Some specialist roles, such as coding roles, may require candidates to complete a specialised coding test.
All roles in the NatWest application process include a final interview. This virtual interview is where candidates will be asked a mix of competency, situational and motivational questions. Specialist questions may also be asked depending upon the role applied to.
The competencies assessed in the interview are aligned to the NatWest critical people capabilities. Reviewing these along with the job description is advised before attending the interview.
Also, preparing examples of times when you have demonstrated the competencies and critical people capabilities will show the interviewer that you have the skills, competencies, and motivations required for a role with NatWest.
