Xerox is a multinational business that started in New York in 1906, supplying photographic paper and equipment. While the headquarters are in Connecticut, most employees are still based in New York - and Xerox has staff in more than 160 countries around the world.
Xerox has become a synonym for what they are most famous for, used in the workplace to replace the word 'copy' or 'photocopy' in the US. However, Xerox is also credited with inventing the computer mouse, desktop computing and the desktop metaphor GUI, although all of these were brought to the mass market by Apple and Microsoft instead.
Now, Xerox produces office equipment like printers and scanners, as well as larger-scale commercial printers for graphic communication like high-volume printing presses and xerographic wide-format printers.
Getting A Job At Xerox
There are a range of different roles available at Xerox, and while the innovation and invention is limited to the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), Xerox Research Centre of Canada (XRCC), and the North Caroline Centre of Excellence, you can find roles in the UK, Europe, Asia and the Americas through the online careers page.
There are a number of opportunities for experienced hires, but the Xerox early careers programmes are an excellent way for school leavers to get further education, on the job training, and a qualification while earning and being part of the Xerox team.
Xerox Values
Xerox, like many other tech companies, share the same values and ideals to reach their potential.
These values are important to you if you are applying for a role at Xerox, as you will need to demonstrate that you share these values in order to be successful.
There are six core values at Xerox:
- We succeed through satisfied customers.
- We deliver quality and excellence in all we do.
- We require a premium return on assets.
- We use technology to develop market leadership.
- We value our employees.
- We behave responsibly as a corporate citizen.
These values should be kept in mind and used to help build your knowledge of the company when you are researching the position you have applied for.
Types Of Roles At Xerox
As a global business, the international feeling of Xerox means that there are many different types of roles available - from programmers to engineers, sales to HR, and even assembly and warehouse.
With this wide range of options, there is a role for almost everyone at Xerox, but if you are looking for early-career options then there are limited business streams available.
Xerox Apprenticeships
This three-year programme places emphasis on hands-on learning as well as
classroom-based tuition, to help apprentices gain both Level 3 and Level 4 (Advanced and Higher) Apprenticeships.
Business areas for apprenticeships include account management, customer service, HR, and leasing.
To qualify, you must be a recent school leaver and have achieved two A-levels at grades A*-C, and at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C (or equivalent).
Xerox Industrial Placements
More than 40 positions are available on a year-long placement, designed for undergraduates who need to complete a placement for their degree.
Placements are available in finance, IT, business and marketing departments, and run from June - July.
The end goal of an industrial placement is not only to provide the necessary experience needed for degree completion, but also to be a pathway to being accepted onto a graduate scheme at Xerox.
Xerox Graduate Scheme
The graduate programme at Xerox consists of a three-year comprehensive and personalised developmental training course.
This structured programme is available in a number of different business areas, and to qualify you must have enough UCAS points from three A-Levels and GCSE maths and English, as well as either working towards, or holding, a 2:1 or above in a relevant degree.
Hiring Process At Xerox
The hiring process at Xerox is quite robust, with potentially thousands of applicants for limited roles - so you can expect there to be multiple stages for you to pass before you get a job offer.
Most of the process is completed online, with a focus on technology and technical know-how, which you would expect from a tech-based company.
Xerox Online Application
All Xerox roles are advertised on their Careers page. Listed jobs are searchable by keywords and location, making it simple to find the role that is perfect for you.
If there are no suitable roles online when you are looking, you can sign up for email alerts or become part of the 'Talent Community' to find out when new jobs are posted.
To apply for a role, you will be asked to complete a profile, with basic contact details and information. Each job will have slightly different requirements, but you can expect to share details of your skills, qualifications and experience, as well as an up to date CV or resume.
The application form is likely to be the first contact you have with the recruitment team, so make sure all the details are accurate, and that you have thoroughly checked your submission for spelling and grammar mistakes.
Xerox Phone Interview
If you meet the basic requirements for the role, you will be invited to a short telephone interview that serves as a screening tool.
In this interview, you will be asked some questions about your experience and your CV, as well as some questions about why you want to work at Xerox and why you have applied for that particular role.
You need to be able to demonstrate that you have done your research, and that you have the skills and qualifications as mentioned in the job description - the details that should be in your CV.
This should be considered a 'getting to know you' interview, and you should be given an opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the process.
Xerox Assessment Test
There are several possible assessments that you might face, depending on the role you have applied for.
The Xerox assessments are all to be completed online, at home and in your own time. You will be invited to take the relevant tests through an email link.
Xerox Sales Test/Behavioral Test
The Xerox sales test and the behavioral test is a combined assessment that uses aspects of both personality tests and situational judgement tests.
This assessment is designed to make sure that you have the specific personality traits and work behaviours that are needed for success in the advertised role.
You can expect questions based on realistic work-based scenarios, where you will be presented with a description of a situation. You will need to use your judgement to decide which course of action would be the most appropriate from the multiple-choice options.
There will also be statements that describe behavior or personality traits, and you will need to decide which of these most accurately describe you in your work persona.
This assessment usually takes between 45 minutes and an hour to complete.
Xerox PLI-style Test
The PLI-style test is based on the Predictive Learning Indicator test, and is a combination of reasoning assessments, verbal, numerical and non-verbal.
In this assessment, you will have to answer 50 questions in 12 minutes.
Xerox Numerical Reasoning Test
Numerical reasoning questions are designed to assess your ability to read, understand and analyse data presented in graphs and tables in order to make a reasoned, logical decision.
It is likely that you will have to complete some basic calculations to find the right answer to a presented question. It is also likely to be a multiple-choice format.
Xerox Verbal Reasoning Test
Verbal reasoning assessments test your reading skills, and how quickly you can find key information in a passage of text.
The paragraph you will be presented with is written in formal language, with a statement to follow. The statement is based on the passage, and you need to decide if the key information provided shows that the statement is true, false, or there isn't enough information to decide.
Xerox Non-Verbal Reasoning Test
Also known as logical reasoning tests, non-verbal tests tend to be presented as a sequence of images or pictures that follow a pattern or a rule.
These questions are assessing your ability to make logical, reasoned decisions based on limited information, and are useful for roles where critical thinking and problem-solving is important.
Xerox Mechanical Test
Usually used in the pre-employment screening for roles in engineering, IT and other mechanical-based sectors, mechanical tests assess your knowledge of mechanical processes and physics principles.
You will find questions related to electricity and currents, force, gears and pulleys, as well as tools and terminology.
Most of the questions will be presented as graphical images describing a mechanical process.
Xerox English Language Tests
If English is not your first language, then you might be asked to complete an English language test.
The questions in the test assess your ability to read, write and understand English to what is considered to be an intermediate level. They will be based on spelling, grammar and sentence structure.
Xerox Video Interview
In the video interview, you will be given a list of questions to answer. These are usually a combination of motivational and behavioural questions, and you will have to record yourself giving the answers.
The video will be reviewed later by the recruitment team, and you will be able to practice your answers and rehearse so that you can present yourself in the best way.
The recruitment team are looking for answers that are short, sweet and well-thought-out.
Xerox Face-to-Face Interview
This is the last stage for many people, and depending on the role you have applied for, this could be with a member of the recruitment team or a manager from the business area - or both.
During this interview, you will find more in-depth behavioural questions that are looking for examples of your competencies that directly match those needed in the advertised role. You might expect questions about a time in your experience where you had to deal with an unhappy customer, or work alongside someone that was not contributing.
The face-to-face interview is a good opportunity for you to demonstrate the research you have done. This might include information about the role and the company, but also about the wider technology world too.
Make sure that you fully research the values and skills that are needed in the role, and use those to answer the questions as much as you can.
As with the video interview, short and concise answers are important.
Xerox Travel Day / Role Play
The Xerox Travel Day is used most often in roles that have contact with customers, and allows applicants the opportunity to work alongside current Xerox employees.
This day might include role-plays and exercises that simulate essential parts of the role so that you can truly see what it is like to work in the role you have applied for.
What Is It Like To Work At Xerox?
Working at Xerox means being part of an innovative, collaborative team. With current projects including 3D printing, the Internet of Things and CleanTech, you will be surrounded by ambitious and motivated team members.
Learning and development is a big thing for Xerox employees, with access to a comprehensive learning platform, including online courses and virtual classroom courses. These are all tied to accreditation programs and structured career pathways.
Top Tips To Getting Hired At Xerox
Do Your Research
Xerox has been at the forefront of technology since 1906, and this global brand has a lot of history. Understanding their position as part of the worldwide tech landscape is an important part of the research that you should be completing before you begin the recruitment process.
Practice Tests
Knowing that you are likely to face at least one online assessment, you should try and practice some tests beforehand.
You can practice many of these test types online, and this will make you feel more familiar with the structure.
Prepare For Different Test Formats
There are likely to be different test formats that you will face, and preparation will help make you feel more confident when you are coming through the real thing.
Use The STAR Method
Answering questions concisely is important, and to help make it easier when you are in any of the interviews you can use a mnemonic to help you structure your replies.
The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) mnemonic is a simple and easy way to ensure that you cover all the important points when you are giving your answers.
