1) The first step to the Shell interview process is the online application. In this you include your resume. Candidates are screened based on GPA and work experience. If the minimum criteria is met you are invited to an online assessment.
2) Next step is the online assessment. This is of two parts designed to familiarize you with the company and screen out more candidates at the same time. Both are online, of which one is a timed quantitative reasoning test. Remember that applications are not limited to just the results of the online assessment. If you do poorly but still have an impressive profile, you may still be called for a phone interview.
3) During the phone interview your ability to answer behavioral questions in a descriptive systematic manner is evaluated. Questions are all read from a paper so as to maintain uniformity between all candidates. This phone interview can be very lengthy, mine took 2 hours and my interviewer was careful to write my responses down as I conveyed them. One added challenge during my phone interview was that the interviewer is from a country different than mine and discipline different than mine. This tests ability to communicate to a person from a different background.
4) Final step of interview is the SRD (Shell Recruitment Day) which is a two day affair. Usually if you have made it that far it means that they want to hire you, and are looking for evidence that they should do so. During the first day you are taken out to dinner with some young professionals who are able to answer all your questions about the company and give you tips for your interview. Also you sit with your recruitment coordinator and play some informal games to get to know you better. The next day is a 8 am - 5 pm round of interviewing. Several tests to assess you as a person, and how you interact under pressure, as well as with others. The SRD is not something you can practice for believe me I tried. Just be yourself and make sure to speak up.
5) Offer stage: Finally if you clear the interview process the recruitment coordinators try to match you up with the job type, and location that you want. This can take time and there are multiple discussions with asset managers before an offer is made. It is important to speak up if you have individual needs or concerns, and provisions will be made on a case by case basis.
The process takes time from start to finish it took me 3.5 months to the time I had my offer. From discussions with my HR person, I found that this was much longer than the norm. Many other posts have discussed the SRD in detail, which helped calm my nerves during my interview as I knew what I was getting into. I encourage all to apply for Shell, and wish you luck!
