Application form advice
The application form captures your personal contact details and your academic and employment history, together with your answers to the other questions we have posed, such as why you've applied to the FSA and your chosen programme.
- Make sure you have sufficient time to read and complete the form thoroughly. This is your first chance to demonstrate to us your skills and abilities. Take time to ensure that you have given all the information requested
- You may find it useful to print a copy of the form first so you can draft responses before submitting the final form online
- Do some research. Make sure you have thought about why you want to work for the FSA and the particular programme you are applying for
- Read the questions carefully. We are looking for specific information about your motivation and knowledge of the FSA. Make sure that you fully answer the questions posed
- Consider the examples that you give. This is your chance to show how well you are suited to the programme, so it is worth making sure that you use the best examples when responding to the questions
- Check your answers. An assessment of your written communication skills will be made when looking at your application form, so it is worth double checking grammar and spelling to ensure that it is accurate
- Keep a copy of the form. This will help you remember which examples you used if you progress to the next stage
- Use the word count as effectively as possible.
Online test
Following your application, you will be sent an email inviting you to login and complete our online test. The test is unique to the FSA and will assess your ability to analyse and interpret financial information.
Some tips to help you prepare:
- Although all tests are different there are a number of practice tests available online that will help you to familiarise yourself with the format and types of questions you may be asked
- When you take the test make sure you are in a quiet area where you will not be disturbed.
- Ensure you have all the equipment required to take the test such as pen, paper, glasses etc
- Complete the practice questions and read the instructions carefully to ensure you know what to do
- Work through the questions as quickly as possible but ensure that you read each one before answering
- Keep an eye on the time and complete as many questions as you can in the time allocated. Remember that the test will assess accuracy as well as speed.
Assessment Centre
If your interview is successful, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre in our London office during which we will continue to assess your ability to demonstrate the graduate capabilities we are looking for. This will run for approximately 4 hours and will consist of a group exercise, written exercise and a verification exercise for the online test. You will also have a tour of our offices and the opportunity to meet some of our graduates. Successful candidates will then be invited to attend our final stage interview and case study. You will be provided with more details of the different elements of the assessment centre if you successfully proceed to that stage.
