Careers at Highways England
Highways England is a government-owned company that deals with the UK's 4,300 miles of motorways and major roads — which includes everything from designing and building, to operating and maintaining.
As a result, there are a huge number of jobs available for those interested in maintaining safety for drivers, passengers and pedestrians, and ensuring the smooth running of the country's roads.
Types of Jobs At Highways England
Whether it's the design of the roads themselves or looking after the finances at head office, there is a wide and varied selection of careers available at Highways England.
Roles in head office support, engineering, project managing and patrolling are some of the most commonly sought after roles in the company, but it's worth keeping an eye on the Highways England careers page as new opportunities are added regularly.
How To Get Hired At Highways England
With seven different graduate schemes, there's something for everyone at Highways England.
Work experience isn't deemed the most important thing for getting onto a graduate scheme. Instead, you'll need to share any relevant qualifications, as well as show how you'd react to certain commonplace work scenarios in the situational judgement test.
Highways England Application Process
Highways England Online Application
A strong application is the first step to getting hired and unlike a lot of companies, Highways England doesn't request a traditional CV and cover letter. Instead, once you've selected the job(s) you want to apply for you'll be asked to fill out a short application on their website and complete a situational judgement test.
Highways England Aptitude Tests
Highways England Situational Judgement Test
The situational judgement test aims to learn more about the type of employee you're likely to be, and how well you respond to a series of hypothetical workplace challenges that you could encounter at Highways England.
You'll be asked to mark down which responses are most and least like the responses you'd give to each situation.
There may not be 'right' or 'wrong' answers, but there are answers that mark you out as a more suitable candidate, and if you score highly enough you'll move onto the next stage of the process.
Highways England Video Interview
The video interview gives Highways England a chance to learn more about you, your qualifications, any relevant experience you may have and the strengths you're likely to bring to the role you're applying for.
It's also a chance for you to ask any questions you may have, sell yourself and show why you'd be a great hire.
Highways England Assessment Centre
The final stage of the process is an assessment centre which is currently being run virtually.
Lasting around half a day, the assessment centre will include various tasks such as a presentation and group exercise, as well as another interview with a senior member of Highways England staff.
Assessment centres are a chance for staff to thoroughly assess the last remaining candidates to ensure they hire the best person or people for the job(s). As a result, it's important you try to speak up and share any thoughts or ideas so they get a chance to hear from you. Equally, you want to make sure you show yourself to be a respectful listener and that you don't take over every conversation.
Try and make sure you have a strong internet connection and you're able to set yourself up in a quiet room, free from distractions, for the assessment centre. This will give you one less thing to worry about on the day and will ensure you can concentrate fully on the tasks at hand.
Tips To Get Hired At Highways England
Practice Tests
Practicing Situational judgements tests before the Highways England test is a really good idea.
Not only will it help you to familiarise yourself with the kinds of questions you may be asked, it'll also give you a chance to reflect on the values and strengths Highways England will be looking for in their employees.
Use Exam Conditions
Whether it's practicing tests, being interviewed or taking part in the assessment centre, it's helpful to set up an area in 'exam conditions.' This means somewhere quiet, where you can time yourself if you're practicing a test, and where you'll be uninterrupted should you be taking part in an interview or the assessment centre.
Know The Highway Code
Familiarising yourself with the Highway Code will help you to have a better base understanding of the work Highways England does to make our roads safer. It could also give you an edge over other applicants.
Build Confidence
The best way to build confidence is to thoroughly prepare for each stage of the process.
Practicing past aptitude tests, reading the Highway Code, learning more about Highways England, brushing up on your interview techniques and ensuring your computer is set up in a quiet and well-lit room are all things you can do to help yourself stand out as a top applicant.
