Shell Assessment & Interview Preparation
Virtual Job Tryout (VJT), On-Demand Video Interview & Remote Presentation
Guide country context: United Kingdom · Energy
Hiring processes can vary by country, role, business unit, and year.
Shell uses a highly integrated digital screening process. Candidates progress through the Shell Virtual Job Tryout (VJT), an On-Demand Video Interview (ODVI), and a final remote presentation and interview round. The process is anchored by Shell's core values of Honesty, Integrity, and Respect for People.
Hiring Process
-
1Online Application officialSubmit application through Shell careers portal→ Tailor application to role; highlight energy industry motivation
-
2Shell Virtual Job Tryout (VJT) officialComprehensive multi-part online assessment with ~80 questions covering work challenge scenarios (SJT), personality/background profiling, and work style assessment→ Set aside sufficient time; answer consistently and align with Shell values
-
3On-Demand Video Interview (ODVI) officialRecord answers to typically 5 motivational and competency-based questions→ Practise structured STAR answers on camera; test setup in advance
-
4Final Assessment commonly reportedRemote presentation and interview round, often as part of a virtual assessment centre→ Prepare a structured presentation and practise handling Q&A
-
5Offer & Onboarding officialJob offer and pre-employment checks→ Respond within stated timeline
Assessments
A comprehensive, multi-part online assessment with approximately 80 questions. Combines work challenge scenarios (SJT format), personality/background profiling, and a work style assessment. Designed to predict on-the-job performance.
Measures: Situational judgement, work style fit, personality traits, decision-making under realistic scenarios
- Base responses on Shell values: Honesty, Integrity, Respect for People
- Think about data-driven decision-making and safety awareness
- Answer consistently across personality sections
- Consider both short-term action and long-term consequences
Common mistakes
- Giving inconsistent responses across different sections
- Choosing aggressive over collaborative responses
- Not considering environmental/sustainability implications
- Rushing through scenarios without careful thought
Asynchronous video interview with typically 5 motivational and competency-based questions. Candidates record answers within a set time limit per question.
Measures: Communication clarity, motivation, competency evidence, values alignment, confidence on camera
- Practise speaking directly to the camera (not the screen)
- Use STAR format for competency questions
- Keep answers concise and structured
- Test your tech setup, lighting, and background beforehand
Common mistakes
- Not practising with camera before the real thing
- Rambling without clear structure
- Poor lighting or distracting background
- Not addressing the question directly
Part of the VJT, assessing personality traits and work preferences relevant to Shell's collaborative, values-driven culture.
Measures: Work preferences, team orientation, decision-making style, sustainability mindset
- Answer honestly about your genuine preferences
- Consistency is key across the assessment
- There are no 'right' answers but alignment with collaborative culture helps
Common mistakes
- Trying to game the assessment
- Giving contradictory answers
- Rushing without reflecting
Interviews
Candidates present on a given business or technical topic, demonstrating structured thinking, communication, and ability to synthesise information. Often part of the final virtual assessment centre.
Format: Individual presentation (15-20 minutes) via video conference followed by Q&A
What interviewers look for
- Clear logical structure
- Evidence-based arguments
- Sustainability and long-term thinking
- Confident delivery on camera
- Strong Q&A handling
Focus areas to practise
- Energy transition challenges
- Business case analysis
- Stakeholder management scenarios
- Sustainability in decision-making
- Structure: context, analysis, recommendation, conclusion
- Reference Shell values in your approach where natural
- Practise presenting to camera confidently
- Prepare for probing questions on assumptions
Behavioral interview directly assessing alignment with Shell's core values of Honesty, Integrity, and Respect for People through situational and past-experience questions.
Format: Structured competency interview with 1-2 interviewers via video
What interviewers look for
- Authentic examples demonstrating Shell values
- Transparency and honesty in responses
- Respect for diverse perspectives
- Collaborative decision-making
- Sustainable thinking
Focus areas to practise
- Times you demonstrated integrity under pressure
- How you showed respect for differing views
- Examples of honest, transparent communication
- Sustainable and long-term decision-making
- Prepare STAR stories explicitly tied to Honesty, Integrity, and Respect
- Be genuine - Shell values authenticity
- Show how you make decisions transparently
- Demonstrate collaborative approach to challenges
How this differs by role
The process is not the same for every role. Find the closest match to the job you applied for — the assessments and interviews below are the ones reported for that role family.
Graduates & Early Careers
Assessments
- Shell Virtual Job Tryout (full battery)
- Work challenge scenarios
- Work style profiling
Interviews
- On-Demand Video Interview
- Virtual assessment centre
- Remote presentation
Experienced Professionals
Assessments
- Tailored VJT or competency assessment
- Personality profiling
Interviews
- Competency-based interview
- Technical interview
- Presentation (role-dependent)
Technical & Engineering
Assessments
- Shell VJT
- Technical assessment (role-dependent)
Interviews
- Technical interview
- Values-based behavioral interview
- Remote presentation
Commercial & Business
Assessments
- Shell VJT (emphasis on commercial scenarios)
- Work style assessment
Interviews
- ODVI
- Business case presentation
- Values-aligned behavioral interview
Values & Framework
Shell is anchored by three fundamental core values. The company places strong emphasis on contributing to sustainable development, balancing short-term execution with long-term environmental considerations, and operating transparently.
- Honesty: Show transparent communication and willingness to share difficult truths
- Integrity: Demonstrate ethical decision-making and consistency between words and actions
- Respect for People: Show collaborative behaviour, valuing diverse perspectives, and inclusive teamwork
Recommended Practice Modules
Preparation Plans
- Identify your stage: VJT, ODVI, or Final Assessment/Presentation
- If VJT: practise 10-15 SJT scenarios with values-based decision lens
- If ODVI: record yourself answering 3 competency questions using STAR format
- Learn Shell's three core values: Honesty, Integrity, Respect for People
- Prepare 3 STAR stories demonstrating these values
- Test your video setup, lighting, and internet connection
- Complete 2-3 full SJT practice tests with Shell values focus
- Practise personality/work style assessment format for consistency
- Record 5+ video answers to different competency questions
- Prepare 5 STAR stories covering different Shell values and competencies
- If presentation stage: prepare a structured 15-minute presentation
- Research Shell's energy transition strategy and sustainability goals
- Daily SJT practice with sustainability and ethics focus
- Multiple video recording practice sessions with review
- Build library of 7+ STAR stories mapped to Shell values
- Practise remote presentation delivery (timing, structure, Q&A)
- Conduct mock behavioral interviews via video
- Study Shell's General Business Principles document
- Research recent Shell projects, strategy, and energy transition plans
- Practise handling challenging follow-up questions on camera
- Master SJT format through daily practice with Shell values lens
- Achieve natural, confident video delivery through repeated recording
- Comprehensive STAR story bank (10+ stories) covering all competencies
- Multiple full presentation rehearsals with feedback
- Deep research into Shell operations, strategy, and industry position
- Practise full mock virtual assessment centre (presentation + interview)
- Study sustainable energy and energy transition topics
- Develop natural language for embedding Shell values into all responses
- Conduct mock interviews with different question styles
- Review and refine weakest areas based on practice performance
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & verification status
3 sources · 2 from the employer or another primary publisher · 1 reported rather than confirmed
See each source and how far it goes
- Employer site Shell Our Values Primary source, published by the employer
- Employer site Shell Online Interview Preparation Tips Primary source, published by the employer
- Third party Shell VJT and ODVI Process Could not be checked — being replaced
Confidence is calculated from each source, not assigned to the page. A source that cannot be opened, or that does not describe what we cited it for, cannot support a claim here regardless of how it was previously labelled.
How this guide was put together
Published by Job Tests Portal. It is compiled from the public sources listed above and has not been independently reviewed by a recruitment or assessment specialist. We are not affiliated with Shell and this guide is not endorsed by them.
We label where each statement comes from, and we would rather say “we could not verify this” than state something we cannot show you the source for. Hiring processes change often and vary by role, country and year, so treat everything here as a starting point and let your invitation be the final word.