Our Application Process

Our application process

From opportunity to offer, here’s what to expect

Application process

To learn more about IBM’s global application process for candidates, check out the various steps in our process below. Since we hire in most regions around the world, this process may differ slightly for some countries. If you’re ever unsure of the status of your application, you can check this in the candidate portal.

01 Apply

Once you find a role that interests you, the first step is to complete your application online. To help us stay connected, we recommend that you join our Talent Network when applying.

02 Screening

Your application will be read by real IBMers who are experts in screening resumes and specialists in their respective fields.

03 Online assessments

You may be asked to complete some of our online assessments, which will vary depending on the role you applied to.

Don’t worry, our scientifically validated assessments are designed with you in mind - engaging, fair, and relevant to each role.

We use assessments to measure skills and abilities that do not commonly emerge from interviews. This stage in the process allows you to truly demonstrate who you are and what value you can bring to the role.

At IBM, we’re proud of our 100+ years of work on diversity, inclusion and equality in the workplace. That legacy, and our continued commitment to advance equity in the workplace informs our assessment approach.

We recognize the value a diverse workforce brings to IBM and our IBMers, which is why we don’t have a blanket policy or procedure in place with respect to providing individuals with a disability accommodations or adjustments for assessments or interviews. Instead, at the beginning of the assessment process, we provide guidance on the expectations for your assessment experience.

If you are a person with a disability, you will be able to confidentially self-identify and provide documentation in the event you require an accommodation or adjustment to successfully complete the assessment process.

The psychologists on our Talent Science team will then review the documentation, along with any other information you provide, and work with you to reach a mutually agreeable accommodation or adjustment for your application.

Below are some examples of the types of assessments you may be asked to complete, depending on the role you applied to. Rest assured, no roles require you to complete all of them.

Cognitive Ability Assessment

You’ll encounter a series of 5 interactive games presenting you with text, numbers and shapes that you will need to read and manipulate to solve problems. This assessment helps us understand how you learn, make decisions and solve problems.

Coding Assessment

You’ll be presented with multiple choice and/or a coding interface to solve a few coding challenges, depending on the position you applied to. This assessment helps us understand your level of programming knowledge and ability.

Video Assessment

This type of assessment helps us get to know you better and evaluate your skills through a series of interview questions. Your responses are captured by your webcam and microphone.

English Language Assessment

This text-based assessment presents you with a series of multiple-choice questions. It helps us understand your English proficiency.

04 Assessment Center / interview

If you’re successful in completing the assessments, the next stage may involve you being invited for an interview or Assessment Center.

Both are a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better (there’s no need to worry; at IBM, we’re a friendly bunch). For this stage of the process, we recommend doing some research into IBM and the area you want to work in – this is your chance to show us how much you want to work for IBM. Come prepared with any questions you want to ask us – it is also your opportunity to interview us. In the meantime, you can check out our careers blog for useful information.

If you’re invited to additional interviews, they may be conducted over the phone, through video, or in-person, and you may be interviewed by more than one IBMer. If you’re invited to an Assessment Center, it’s likely you’ll be asked to participate in a number of group exercises, with potential for an in-person interview on that day.

We rigorously train and certify our hiring managers and talent team on interviewing best practices and unconscious bias to ensure you get the most out of your application journey. Our interviews involve a combination of job-related behavioural and situational questions to better understand your capabilities and prior experiences.

05 Decision / offer

We’ll keep you regularly informed of any updates with your application status along the way. If you would like feedback following an interview we are always happy to help – just ask.

After your final interview, we’ll be in touch to let you know if you were successful with your application. If you were, we’ll then send you the appropriate documentation you’ll need to complete to begin your onboarding journey with us. You’ll then be onboarded as an IBMer, leading in this new era of technology and solving some of the world’s most challenging problems.

Given the volume of applications we receive across the globe, it’s not always possible for our talent team to contact you directly if you were unsuccessful in your application. We’ll do our best, but if you’d like to receive additional feedback, feel free to get in touch with your recruiter.

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