Firstly I was invited to do three cognitive tests at home: An numerical test, a logical test and a verbal test. (Not very difficult.)
After completing the test I received a mail inviting me to call HR to make an appointment for an assessment center. This part was at the groups' headquarters in Brussels.
It consisted of : 1/ Redoing the 3 test partially. 2/ a group exercise: a business case -- lunch-- 3/ 1:1 interview of about 1h.
Of the 5 candidates, 2 were asked to stay and the other 3 got feedback of why they weren't selected.
The 2 successful candidates are invited to go in the last stage of the day, to do a presentation(for commercial functions) or a panel interview. If they pass it successfully they will be invited for a interview with a manager of the desired division, who will have the final call of offering them a contract.
The assessment day was well-organized, reception was very friendly.
Some advice for people going to the assessment center and want to pass it.
-Don't be omnipresent in the group exercise. Give everybody the time to express his/her ideas. (which can be pretty frustrating if the others have no economical/business background and don't understand the working of a company) I got the feedback I was going to fast and needed to give more time to others to think.
-Don't be to ambitious. I have the impression KBC is looking for "grijze muizen". People who do there job well, but not with the ambition of becoming CEO(exaggeration;)).
- Flemish identity. If you think Flanders is the center of your universe go to KBC. I know the KBC group is present in other parts of the world, but the KBC bank (not CBC) has the typical Flemish mentality. If you feel more international, go to another bank (but go to KBC at first to experience an assessment center ;-))
- Stay calm at the 1:1 interview, although the other interviewers were very friendly, mine was not. Trying to see how far she could go. ( probably a test, well executed)
- Have a clear path you want to achieve. Which is pretty difficult for recent grads.
My feeling about my day:
I had a good day and learned how not to survive an assessment center.
I got an honest feedback, got some points I need to ameliorate and learned KBC is not a company I want to work for.
Good luck guys