Resume and motivation letter, followed by online tests. Afterwards a phone interview, with strengths based questions and also a business case. Then the assessment day and final panel. The assessment day was difficult with several different exercises, like 1-1 interview, group cases and some "speed-date" questions.

Awful recruitment process avoid at all costs unless you’re 100% sure this is what you want!!! Applied in September 2023, completed a general online aptitude test, then completed online video interview where they asked to create a new beer brand based off a topic they give you. My assessment centre was in November 2023, which was really tricky but I got through that to the final panel. At this point I must note that I had actually applied for the general management traineeship (GMT) and was informed that the final panel would take place in the new year. I then proceeded to chase the recruitment team for my final panel date for months and I did not receive my date until March. I would chase and chase and they stated they would get back to me when they know. When I chased in March, they replied to me straight away with a final panel date which was scheduled for April, this seemed as if they had forgotten about me and quickly scheduled me into something- they wouldn’t have informed me of that date if I had not asked! Two days before my long awaited final panel they CANCELLED. This upset me a lot but as I was keen for this job I agreed to a rescheduling. I informed them that I was away the week after when the interview was supposed to take place and asked them not to schedule my new interview date in that time period. When I received my new interview date, it was during my holiday period! I was really upset that they had ignored what I said. At this point I had expressed my concern that I am at a disadvantage as I know places on the GMT fill up on first come first serve but they ignored my concern. A few weeks later I revised a call saying the places on the GMT had actually all filled up and I could no longer be considered for that position, but they did offer me a final interview for the SMT, which I knew absolutely nothing about. I proceeded with the final panel, it was extremely brutal, asking questions which seem like whichever answer you pick is wrong. They also stated that as leaders “employee happiness was not their responsibility” which was a huge red flag for me. I left the interview feeling like I was unsure if this is a company I would want to work for, especially combined with the awful communication throughout the recruitment process. My feedback said they were unsure of my motivation for this job- even though I was cornered into it and actually wanted a place on the GMT! This whole process has really knocked my confidence but I’m glad that I don’t have to go through with it now. Important note: if you’re applying to the London SMT beware that it states that it’s located in London, but you will actually be forced to live at the Magor (south wales) brewery or the Samlesbury brewery (Preston) for the duration of the traineeship. I feel like I have got a lucky escape.