%%PAGE TITLE%%

Tab navigation

Hints and tips for completing the CV template.

In our CV template we have asked you to demonstrate to us when you have used IBM’s competencies. In this section, we require you to give examples of when you have demonstrated the following competencies. The examples can be taken from university, work experience or leisure activities.

Adaptability - This competency is all about being flexible when things change. How do you cope with changing demands, uncertainty and stress? Do you remain calm and composed? Can you demonstrate that you have successfully completed several projects or assignments with competing deadlines? Can you quickly think of new approaches and solutions in response to changing demands?
Teamwork & Collaboration – This competency is all about showing us how you work with others to achieve shared goals. Do you respect and value others’ differences? Do you easily build and maintain relationships with others? Do you offer support and help others and share your expertise with them to enhance the effectiveness of the team?
Communication – This competency focuses on how you communicate with others. Do you present oral and written information clearly, precisely and succinctly? Do you match the way you communicate with the requirements of the situation and your audience? Do you listen carefully to others, asking questions when necessary to ensure understanding?
Drive to achieve – This competency is all about being committed to success and accomplishing challenging goals. Do you take the initiative to learn new skills that will be useful for your future career? Do you learn about things beyond the scope of your current job or assignment? Do you display a high level of energy and motivation to produce work of the highest quality? Are you prepared to put in as much additional time or effort as is necessary to ensure high quality results?
Creative problem solving – This is all about using ingenuity, supported by logical methods and appropriate analysis, to propose solutions to problems. Do you conduct thorough fact-finding and analysis, anticipating any potential problems and then plan accordingly? Do you think ‘outside the box’ when proposing solutions to problems? Do you put forward new ideas for activities at university or work and offer innovative ideas to overcome challenges?
Client/Customer Focus – This competency is all about working with clients and anticipating their needs and responding appropriately. ‘Clients’ can be colleagues, study groups, lecturers or customers you may have worked for. Do you build rapport quickly and easily and think about a situation from their point of view? Do you recommend solutions that meet their needs? Do you respond to requests from them quickly and accurately? Do you act with the clients’ satisfaction as top priority?
Technical/Business Insight – Under additional information, if applicable, you can show us what experience you have of using technology and the passion you are able to show for IT. In this section, you might include details of software development and programming you have carried out in the past as part of your degree or in your spare time – and also what excites you about the IT industry as a whole. Alternatively, it may be more applicable to tell us of any business acumen you have gained from your studies or let us know of any Duke Of Edinburgh, etc awards you have achieved.

Applying

So, you’ve decided you want to experience life at IBM?
Here’s where you’ll find all the information you need to know about our selection process. It is really important that you familiarise yourself with our application process, so that we can process your application as quickly as possible.

We are now accepting applications for the Extreme Blue scheme starting in the summer 2010. Please click on the relevant link on the right hand side to apply. Please note, you can only apply for either the technical or the business role – you cannot apply for both. If during our selection process we feel your skills would be better suited to a different role or you would like to change your application to an alternative role, we will discuss this with you at the time.

STEP 1 - Submit your application
In order to apply to IBM, you will need to complete our standard application form and attach a copy of our CV template. We are looking for people that can demonstrate IBM's Foundational Competencies, so we have provided a skills / competencies based CV template for you to complete below. For some hints and tips on completing our CV template, please click here.
- CV Template (DOC, 50KB) (link resides outside of ibm.com)
To submit your application to IBM, please click on the role you wish to apply for on the right hand side.

By clicking on the role you wish to apply to above, you be asked to register and complete an application. Where the application form requests you upload your CV, please upload your completed CV using the template above. CVs in any other format will not be accepted. You will receive an e-mail confirming that your application has been submitted successfully.
STEP 2 - Online Test

If your application is successful through the screening phase then we will invite you to take an online aptitude test - the IBM IPATO test. This test has been developed by IBM to test logical reasoning and the ability to process information quickly. All the instructions are included in the email that will be sent to you inviting you to take the test.

The test takes 32 minutes to complete and you will have 7 days to take it before your password expires. It is divided into 3 sections and you can take these either all in one sitting or over several sittings. The test can be adjusted for anyone that needs a reasonable adjustment and you will be asked to self select whether you need this when you log onto the test for the first time.
STEP 3 - First Round Selection Day

If you achieve the minimum score required on the online aptitude test then we will invite you to a first round selection day. At this selection day, you will be given a presentation about the Extreme Blue Scheme and you will have a tour of the Software Development Labs at IBM Hursley, so you will have the opportunity to learn more about the scheme.

You can expect to take part in the following activities:

Group Activity
You will take part in one group exercise. This will be a logical problem solving activity. We will be looking for you to work well in a team and demonstrate the IBM Foundational Competencies during these exercises.

Confirmatory IPATO test
You will take a short confirmatory test for the online test you have already completed. This will follow the same format as the online test.

Written Test
You will be required to take a Basics of Programming Test or Business test depending on the role you have applied to. The Basics of Programming Test is written in pseudo code, and tests your aptitude for programming: Therefore you will not need to know any particular programming language to pass the test. The Business Test is a case study and tests your ability to assess business issues and put forward solutions.
STEP 4 - Assessment Centre

Our assessment centres are designed so that we can observe you taking part in a number of activities to assess the competencies we believe are important for our business. The assessment centre is a full day and you will participate in further group activities, interviews and will be required to give a presentation. If you need to do any preparation before the assessment centre, we will let you know in plenty of time.

Hints and tips for completing the CV template.
In our CV template we have asked you to demonstrate to us when you have used IBM’s competencies. In this section, we require you to give examples of when you have demonstrated the following competencies. The examples can be taken from university, work experience or leisure activities.

Adaptability
This competency is all about being flexible when things change. How do you cope with changing demands, uncertainty and stress? Do you remain calm and composed? Can you demonstrate that you have successfully completed several projects or assignments with competing deadlines? Can you quickly think of new approaches and solutions in response to changing demands?

Teamwork & Collaboration
This competency is all about showing us how you work with others to achieve shared goals. Do you respect and value others’ differences? Do you easily build and maintain relationships with others? Do you offer support and help others and share your expertise with them to enhance the effectiveness of the team?

Communication
This competency focuses on how you communicate with others. Do you present oral and written information clearly, precisely and succinctly? Do you match the way you communicate with the requirements of the situation and your audience? Do you listen carefully to others, asking questions when necessary to ensure understanding?

Drive to achieve
This competency is all about being committed to success and accomplishing challenging goals. Do you take the initiative to learn new skills that will be useful for your future career? Do you learn about things beyond the scope of your current job or assignment? Do you display a high level of energy and motivation to produce work of the highest quality? Are you prepared to put in as much additional time or effort as is necessary to ensure high quality results?

Creative problem solving
This is all about using ingenuity, supported by logical methods and appropriate analysis, to propose solutions to problems. Do you conduct thorough fact-finding and analysis, anticipating any potential problems and then plan accordingly? Do you think ‘outside the box’ when proposing solutions to problems? Do you put forward new ideas for activities at university or work and offer innovative ideas to overcome challenges?

Client/Customer Focus
This competency is all about working with clients and anticipating their needs and responding appropriately. ‘Clients’ can be colleagues, study groups, lecturers or customers you may have worked for. Do you build rapport quickly and easily and think about a situation from their point of view? Do you recommend solutions that meet their needs? Do you respond to requests from them quickly and accurately? Do you act with the clients’ satisfaction as top priority?

Technical/Business Insight
Under additional information, if applicable, you can show us what experience you have of using technology and the passion you are able to show for IT. In this section, you might include details of software development and programming you have carried out in the past as part of your degree or in your spare time – and also what excites you about the IT industry as a whole. Alternatively, it may be more applicable to tell us of any business acumen you have gained from your studies or let us know of any Duke Of Edinburgh, etc awards you have achieved.