Your CV and cover letter are your first impression and the gateway to securing an interview. For engineering internships, focus on showcasing relevant technical projects, societies, and any work experience. Keep your CV to one page and ensure it's ATS-friendly (Applicant Tracking System) by using standard fonts and avoiding graphics.

Your cover letter should demonstrate genuine interest in the company and role. Research the company's recent projects and values, then explain why you're a great fit. Always customize each application rather than using generic templates.

Online assessments are a key stage in the application process and typically include numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, logical reasoning, and sometimes coding challenges for technical roles. These tests evaluate your problem-solving ability, logical thinking, and technical proficiency under time pressure — essential traits for engineering and analytical positions. Most engineering companies use standardized tests from providers such as SHL, Kenexa, Cappfinity, or Pymetrics, each with slightly different formats and question styles.

Preparation is crucial. Begin by understanding the specific type of assessment your target company uses. Many firms provide a sample test link in their invitation email — completing this helps you get familiar with the interface, timing, and question format. For numerical reasoning, practice questions involving percentages, ratios, graphs, and data interpretation. For verbal reasoning, work on reading comprehension and critical reasoning to quickly extract relevant information from dense text. If your assessment includes logical reasoning (diagrammatic or pattern-based), focus on identifying consistent patterns and rules within sequences.

Game-based assessments - particularly those from Pymetrics eg. Arctic Shores - are becoming increasingly common. Unlike traditional tests, these games measure traits such as risk tolerance, attention, memory, planning ability, and decision-making style. They are not always about getting a “high score” - instead, they analyse how you behave under pressure, how consistently you make decisions, and whether your working style aligns with the company’s values.

Pymetrics Balloon Game (Balloon Analogue Risk Task):
You pump a balloon to earn points, but it can burst at any time. This measures risk-taking vs. caution. The key is balanced, consistent decision-making - avoid inflating every balloon to the max, but also don’t cash out instantly every time. Show controlled risk-taking, not recklessness or extreme caution. You can normally gauge which type/color of balloon takes more pumps before it pops, so make sure to look out for patterns!

Arctic Shores Lock Game:
You rotate locks to match a target position. This measures spatial reasoning and strategic thinking under time pressure. Many people make the mistake in this game of focusing too much on cracking all 4 levels. The actual wording of the question is along the lines of 'test this lock to make sure it cannot be broken' - you should spend approximately 10 mins on this game, and once you're satisfied the lock cannot be breached, you can exit the game.

Tower of Hanoi:
A classic planning puzzle assessing long-term strategy and working memory. Don’t rush - the game values a planned and logical approach more than raw speed. Before moving, visualise the final configuration and follow the well-known recursive strategy (move smaller discs aside to free the largest one).

Arctic Shores Arrow Game:
Arrows appear pointing in various directions, sometimes surrounded by distracting shapes or colours. This tests response inhibition and focus. Prioritise accuracy over speed. Your goal is to show steady, consistent attention - avoid rapid guessing. Stay relaxed, recognise the pattern rules, and respond carefully.

Arctic Shores Day/Night Game:
You may need to press opposite responses depending on whether the screen shows “day” or “night” cues. This measures impulse control, adaptability, and rule-following under pressure. Take a split second to confirm which rule applies before responding. The game rewards mental flexibility and the ability to suppress automatic responses, as well as the ability to recognise and remember relevant patterns.

With Pymetrics games, the best approach is to remain calm, consistent, and authentic. These games evaluate how you think, not how well you can “game the system”. Avoid extreme patterns (always risky, always cautious, always fast, always slow). Show balanced judgement, steady focus, and thoughtful decision-making - this aligns with what most employers look for in analytical and engineering roles.

For technical or coding-based roles, companies often assess your understanding of data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving approaches. Platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and CodeSignal are excellent for timed practice. Focus on easy-to-medium level problems first, then move to harder ones as your confidence builds. Remember, these tests usually value clear, efficient code over overly complex solutions.

When taking the test, ensure you’re in a quiet environment with a stable internet connection. Read all instructions carefully before starting, and manage your time strategically — if you’re stuck on a question, skip it and return later if time allows. Many assessments penalize incorrect answers, so make sure you understand the scoring rules beforehand. Some platforms also include game-based assessments or situational judgement tests (SJTs) that evaluate your personality and decision-making; approach these honestly and consistently with your professional values.

Finally, remember that online assessments are designed to be challenging. It’s completely normal not to finish every question within the time limit. Focus on accuracy and calm problem-solving rather than speed alone. After each test, reflect on what went well and what could be improved - continuous practice and self-review will make you noticeably stronger for the next opportunity.

HireVue is a pre-recorded video interview platform where you respond to questions under timed conditions. You’ll usually get around 30 seconds to a minute to prepare (depending on the company) and 2–3 minutes to respond to each question. Most questions focus on competency-based scenarios, motivations, and occasionally technical knowledge. Some firms also include game-based assessments alongside the interview to evaluate traits like reaction time and decision-making.

Treat this like a real interview - dress professionally, ensure good lighting and clear audio quality, and maintain eye contact with the camera. Practice beforehand using your webcam to get comfortable speaking naturally to a screen. Structure your responses using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to deliver focused, concise answers for behavioral questions.

Common questions include “Tell me about a time you worked in a team,” “Why this company?”, “Describe a technical challenge you’ve overcome,” and “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”. Prepare 5–6 strong examples from your experience that demonstrate a range of skills such as leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience. Keep your tone genuine - authenticity matters more than rehearsed perfection.

From a technical perspective, always do a test run before your actual assessment. Check your internet connection, camera angle, background, and sound levels. Have a few brief notes nearby to remind you of key points, but don’t read from them directly. Most platforms allow one or two re-record attempts, so stay calm and focused even if your first try doesn’t feel perfect.

Finally, remember that recruiters aren’t expecting flawless performance - they’re looking for clarity, enthusiasm, and genuine motivation. Smile, stay positive, and aim to show both your technical capability and your personality through each answer.

Assessment Centres (ACs) are often the final stage of the recruitment process and can last anywhere from half a day to a full day. They’re designed to evaluate multiple competencies through a series of tasks such as group exercises, presentations, case studies, technical tasks, and final interviews. Employers use ACs to see how you behave in realistic workplace scenarios, how you think under pressure, and how well you interact with others in a team setting.

In group exercises, the goal is to find a balance between speaking up and listening. Avoid dominating the conversation - instead, contribute ideas that move the discussion forward. Demonstrate leadership by keeping the group on track, managing time, or summarizing key points. A good approach is to encourage quieter participants and acknowledge strong contributions from others. Assessors look for evidence of teamwork, communication, and collaboration, as well as your ability to think logically and remain professional under time constraints.

For presentations, structure is critical: start with a clear introduction, follow with your main arguments supported by data or examples, and finish with a confident conclusion. Practice your timing, but don’t memorize your script word-for-word — aim to sound natural and engaging. Maintain eye contact with the audience (or camera, if virtual) and vary your tone to hold attention. *Visual aids* such as slides or notes can help, but keep them simple and relevant. Remember, how you deliver your message often matters as much as the content itself.

In technical tasks or case studies, focus on showing your reasoning process. Whether you’re analyzing data, solving an engineering problem, or debugging code, talk through your logic clearly and methodically. If you make an assumption, state it. Even if your final answer isn’t perfect, demonstrating a structured and thoughtful approach often scores higher than rushing to a conclusion.

The AC is also your opportunity to evaluate the company. Speak with current employees, assessors, and other candidates - these informal interactions can reveal a lot about the culture and working environment. Prepare a few questions about the team structure, ongoing projects, and professional development opportunities. *Show curiosity* and genuine enthusiasm. Treat everyone you meet with respect, including other candidates and support staff - assessors often make notes about how you behave during breaks and casual moments.

Finally, remember that everyone is nervous. Stay calm, stay positive, and focus on being your authentic self. ACs are not about perfection - they’re about potential, teamwork, and attitude. A smile, good energy, and professional courtesy can often make just as strong an impression as technical ability.