Bayerische Motoren Werk AG, better known as BMW, is a multinational German motorcycle and luxury car manufacturer. Founded in 1916, they began as a producer of aircraft engines. After WWI they continued to manufacture aircraft engines, while also branching into the production of motorcycle engines and farm equipment. They began producing cars in the 1930s. This was halted with the start of WWII and began again in Bavaria in 1952 with the introduction of their first luxury vehicle the BMW 501 Luxury Saloon (known as a sedan in the United States). In 1998 BMW purchased Rolls Royce.
Since its inception in the early part of the 20th century, BMW has grown to be the twelfth largest car producer in the world. They are headquartered in Munich, Germany with facilities in Brazil, China, The UK, The US, South Africa, and Mexico. With over 130,000 employees they are still expanding and there are numerous careers available. They offer career opportunities globally with positions in customer service, aftersales. Legal services, corporate communication, logistics, risk management, and others. BMW also has opportunities available for those just entering the workforce, with graduate programs and internships.
BMW offers a number of attractive benefits. These include:
Health benefits packages
Career development opportunities
Flexible schedules
30 days of holiday leave
Pension schemes
Opportunities to travel
BMW’s brands: BMW, BMW Motorrad, Mini, DriveNow, BMW Bank GmbH, and Rolls-Royce.
What Is BMW’s Recruitment Process?
Application Process
The application process begins online. You can find job openings by country, or career field, to narrow your search. Once you have found a position that interests you, you will need to create a candidate profile. After you have completed this step you will be able to apply for as many positions as you are qualified for. Upload your CV and cover letter, making sure they are concise and highlight relevant experience that will help you stand out.
BMW’s Online Assessment
BMW uses your application as a springboard for determining which candidates have what they are looking for. Candidates for some positions, particularly graduate scheme candidates, will be required to support the skills they listed on their CV with an online assessment test. These may be given at any point in the selection process. You may have to take them prior to interviewing, or you may be asked to take them during the BMW selection day. BMW often uses the Revelian Cognitive Test, formerly known as the One Test and Cubiks Tests. This test will test your abilities in several different areas. There are a total of 52 questions, and you will have 20 minutes to complete the assessment. The test is entirely multiple-choice.
Verbal Reasoning – This section of the test will help determine how well you are able to process written information and use the information you were given.
Numerical Reasoning – You will need to work with numbers that are given in a table or graph to solve a series of word problems.
Abstract Reasoning – This will measure your skills in logic and pattern recognition. You will be presented with matrices that are missing a section of the sequence. You will need to be able to determine the pattern to solve the sequence.
There may be other tests given, such as situational judgment tests to see how well you respond to common situations you may encounter in the workplace.
Interviews
Your first interview will be a phone interview with a member of HR. This interview will focus on your background and skills. The recruiter will also be using this as an opportunity to learn more about your personality. The interview questions will be tailored to the specific role you have applied for. If you have any questions about the position, during the phone-interview is a good time to ask them. It will help you establish a dialogue and stand out in the interviewer’s memory.
If you stand out and make a good impression the next step will be either a face to face interview or an assessment center. The face to face interview will be behavioral, so expect to see the STAR method when answering questions. This is a common interview method that stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. You will be asked to describe an experience you once had on the job, explain the task you need to perform, describe the actions you took, and tell the end result. This method helps paint a picture of your problem-solving abilities, your creativity in handling any problems you may face, and how you grew from the experience.
BMW’s Assessment Center
Some candidates will be asked to attend an assessment day, which BMW calls a selection day. The assessment center is designed to examine the candidates to see how well they match the job criteria. The structure will vary depending on which positions are being filled. Some things you may be required to do during the assessment center include:
BMW emphasizes personality as part of their hiring criteria. Without doing well on any online assessments you may be required to take, you will not get to show the hiring manager’s your personality. Prepare yourself for the tests so your scores do not keep you from continuing on in the hiring process. Refresh your cognitive and numeric abilities with the help of apps designed to sharpen your abilities. You can also use logic puzzles and word searches to help build your critical thinking skills.
BMW has strict criteria it wants its employees to meet. As one of the most recognizable luxury car brands, it needs employees that will help them continue to build its legacy. If you let your personality shine while getting outstanding scores on any assessment tests you may be faced with, you will soon have that job offer in hand.
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