Formerly known as BHP Billiton, BHP is a multinational mining operation based in Australia. Founded in 2001 by a merger between Broken Hill Proprietary Company Ltd based in Australia, and Billiton Place, an Anglo-Dutch company, some assets were demerged in 2015 and rebranded as BHP, and South 32. BHP is the world’s largest mining company and the 3rd largest company in Melbourne. They have a risk-based approach to sustainability providing stringent standards for operation. To properly respect human rights and the rights of the indigenous peoples in the countries in which BHP operates, they follow a model consistent with the U.N Declaration of Human Rights. Headquartered in Melbourne Australia, BHP has a presence in 90 countries worldwide and employs over 80,000 people. BHP offers graduate programs and internships in Australia, Chile, and the U.S. They pride themselves on a diverse work-place reflective of their standing as a multinational company. BHP offers its employees competitive benefits such as:
Maternity and Paternity Leave
Healthcare
Retirement Plans
Profit-sharing
Paid sick leave
What Is BHP’s Recruitment Process?
Application Process
The BHP hiring process begins online with the application. If you find a position that interests you, you create a profile with a user-name and password and fill out the form. You will also upload your CV and cover letter. Tailor your cover letter to catch the eye of the BHP recruitment team. They receive many applications, and you want yours to stand out. There are some questions on the application form that reflect the BHP core competencies, so before applying do your research on the company. You may apply for more than one position at a time. If you are interested in working at BHP, but the job you want does not have a posting, you can sign up for their job alerts to be notified when positions that match your qualifications open.
BHP’s Psychometric Tests
Before moving into interviews, job seekers will need to complete a series of psychometric tests. Some tests may vary by position and are meant to measure the competency of the candidates. Others are used to test personality and help determine how well the applicant fits into the BHP company culture. BHP uses SHL assessment tests. For certain positions, there may be additional skills-based test required, however the tests that most job-seekers can expect to see consist of these three assessment tests:
Numerical Reasoning Test – Used to measure your understanding of how to interpret numerical data. This is a timed multiple-choice test and will consist of graphs that you will have to properly interpret.
Verbal Reasoning Test – To demonstrate how well you understand written or verbal information, you will be given this timed, multiple-choice test. It consists of several long passages which you must read, and then answer questions about the conclusions you were able to draw from the passages.
Inductive Reasoning Test – Similar to an IQ test, this test measures your ability to think logically and interpret the relationships between given sets of matrices. Or shapes. You will need to determine the next shape in a pattern. Based on the job you have applied for, this test may increase in difficulty as you answer the questions. As with the others, this test is timed and multiple-choice.
Telephone Interview
If you successfully navigate the online assessment tests you will make it to the first stage of interviews. For many applicants, the first interview will be a phone interview. This will mainly focus on how well you understand BHP’s core competencies. This is the recruiting team’s first glimpse of your personality, so be prepared to thoroughly answer questions so they can get a better idea of who you are. Familiarity with the STAR method of interviewing is beneficial in understanding how to give context to your answers. Some questions that you can anticipate during the phone interview are:
What do you think is your greatest weakness? How do you work to overcome that?
What challenges do you think you will face in this position and how do you think you will handle those?
When faced with an unsafe situation, what do you do?
Face to Face Interview/ Assessment Centre
For some applicants, the next step in the process is the face to face interview. For others, there will be an assessment centre which includes a face to face interview. Graduate scheme and management applicants are the most likely to have an assessment centre, though it may also be included for other roles. If you do have to go to an assessment day, there are several activities to anticipate.
Face to Face Behavioural Interview – Whether you have to attend an assessment or not, you will have a face to face interview that mainly addresses behavioural questions. During this interview, the recruiter wants to know how you perform in different situations, and what your motivations are. They will be trying to learn how you work as a team member, and if you will fit into the corporate culture. As with the phone interview, being familiar with the STAR method and answering questions in that manner will help you make a good impression on the interviewer.
Group Interview/ Role-Play – This portion of the assessment centre is used to demonstrate how well you understand what you applied for role in the company would be. You will be assigned to a group and given a brief. Everyone in the group must role-play their position in determining how to solve the problem described in the brief. When role-playing, you will be given budget constraints to work within and must have a persuasive argument to support your position.
Presentation – You will be paired with another person and given a topic to give a presentation on. There will be key points you will have to cover, and you must demonstrate that you can work with a partner and listen to their ideas, as well as contribute your own.
How to Prepare for BPH’s Assessment Tests?
Success on the online assessment test is vital to moving on to the interview stage of the hiring process. Adequate preparation beforehand will help you tackle these tests to the best of your ability. Give yourself adequate time to take the tests. The tests are timed, but you do not want the added pressure of working in a limited time frame, in addition to working in the time frame of the tests. Make you are in an area where you will be undisturbed. You want to be able to give all your attention to the tests without distractions. If there are in areas where you feel you may be lacking, such as your numerical skills, take time to find resources to help you practice and refresh these skills. Always take your time and read the directions. Many people fail simply because they rushed and did not properly understand what they were supposed to be doing. Above all, remain calm. The timed nature of these tests is partially meant to show how well you work under pressure. It is more desirable to be accurate, even if you do not answer every question than it is to rush and finish without correctly answering anything. Preparation and a cool head will help you navigate the testing phase and make it through the hiring process at BHP.
