I applied through a recruiter. The process took 4 months. I interviewed at MBDA (Bristol, England) in Jun 2024
Interview
Interview process was extremely slow and painful. I had a call March 2024 via recruiter. Initial interview was set 1 month after that April 2024, passed that interview, it was more of an initial sift, so mainly going through CV, Then 2nd interview was set another month later May 2024. Interview was about 90 mins long. Questions were standard and more of a conversational style, even with the technical ones.
About 3 days later, I was asked how i would get to Bristol, and I said I would commute/ stay in hotel as it was only 2 days a week, in the office ( I live 2 hours away) heard nothing for 10 days then they came back and said they had given the job to someone else that lived a lot further than I did, but that person said they would relocate. I wasn't explicitly asked and if they did want me to relocate, neither was it on the JD. Had I been asked I would have said I would be happy to relocate.
They then felt bad and apologised and said they would try and find me another role within the company this is now June 2024. After 2 weeks of 'searching' they came back and said there would be no offer as they couldn't find anything suitable.
A 4 month saga, for them to tell me no at the end, very very poor from MBDA
I applied online. The process took 5 weeks. I interviewed at MBDA (Stevenage, England) in Jan 2024
Interview
A long and structured onsite interview.
They went in details on many areas, technical as well as behavioral.
Sadly the feedback I got after 2 weeks was nothing solid at all. I was told I am better suited for another bigger role perhaps (that does not exist) but was not given a reason why I was not a fit for the role they interviewed me for.
Also I was told that they need security clearance and that would need 3 months waiting time. I knew this and had agreed earlier but was brought up as an issue in making me an offer. And contradicting to this I was immediately ‘encouraged’ to apply for other positions! Would they not need a clearance??
I am ok with you rejecting me but would have appreciated honest feedback on why.
Candidates answer all your questions right from application phase and again during the lengthy interview proving your teams why they are worthy of the position. They deserve a few minutes of honest reflection on why they are not chosen is all I would say.
2 stage interview. First stage over a video call. Second stage face to face. Used a typical structure - Biographical, Technical and Competency type questions. Very friendly, very professional. Good overall experience.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Knowledge of the company! Why do you want to work at MBDA Which of MBDAs value resonates with you the most.
