In March 2023, I submitted my application online and subsequently received an invitation to attend an assessment day in April. The assessment day consisted of a rigorous evaluation process that included an interview, group task, practical assessment, and written assessment. Additionally, a tour of the testing track was provided, which was particularly impressive. The day began with either an interview or a practical assessment. During the practical assessment, I was given 45 minutes to read regulations pertaining to a car and trailer and then measure various features of the car to determine if it met the regulations. This task was particularly challenging as it required a comprehensive understanding of the law and the ability to conduct measurements with various tools while under observation by a member of the hiring team. The subsequent interview was also demanding, as the questions asked were not typical behavioural queries found on YouTube. Next, the written assessment was administered, where I was presented with a regulation to read and answer questions based on that regulation. These regulations covered topics such as speedometers and car noise. During the lunch break, pictures of Japan were shared, taken by a previous graduate mechanical engineer, highlighting a potential opportunity to work abroad. Finally, a group exercise was conducted, where a fellow candidate and I were tasked with completing a task and presenting our findings within 45 minutes. It was a challenging experience, unfortunately, I was not offered the position.
