Recruitment at AO
We’re always on the lookout for brilliant people to join our extraordinary team of AOers…people who make great decisions, bring fresh ideas and shape our culture every single day.
Whether you’re taking your first step into your career or looking for your next challenge, you’ll find opportunities to grow, make an impact and be part of something genuinely exciting. Because when we work together, we achieve incredible things.
Recruitment Process
Once you’ve applied, our recruitment team will take a look at your CV to understand your knowledge, skills and experience.
If we think your application could be a good match, we’ll be in touch to chat through the next steps. And if not, we’ll come back to you to let you know.
Your CV is always seen and reviewed by a real person, not a robot!
If your experience looks like a good match for the role, you’ll usually have a telephone interview with one of the team. This is a friendly chat where we get to know you a bit better, and you can ask us questions too. We’ll talk through your experience, what you’re looking for, and what the role involves. It’s a great chance to see if it feels like the right fit.
Depending on the role, there may be a few stages in the interview process, but we’ll always let you know what to expect upfront.
That might include:
Values-based questions – to help us understand what matters to you and alignment to our values
Competency based questions – to explore your skills and hear real examples from your experience
An activity or presentation – to see how you think and how you approach a challenge
Role-related assessments – for some roles we may ask you to complete an exercise that reflects the type of work you’d be doing day to day
Our interviews are a two way conversation. We want you to feel comfortable, be yourself, and have every chance to show us your strengths.
If you’re successful, we’ll give you a call with the good news and talk you through your offer. We’ll guide you through everything you need to know from pre-employment checks to contracts, and keep in touch right up to your first day so you feel ready and excited to join us.
If you’ve been unsuccessful in your interview this time round, we’ll always let you know. We’re happy to provide detailed feedback if you’d like us to, to help with your next steps so you can leave the recruitment process feeling supported and with clear development feedback.
Interview Tips
Do your research
“Who is AO and is this role right for me?”
A little research can go a long way. Take some time to learn about AO, what we do and the values that shape how we work. Explore our careers site, social channels and recent news to get a feel for our culture and what matters to us. It’s a great way to decide whether we’re the right fit for you, and it can help you feel more confident going into your interview.
Feel ready, your way
“How do I get myself ready for the interview?”
There’s no right or wrong way to prepare for an interview, so do what works for you. You might want to make a few notes, practise answering questions out loud, use interview techniques like STAR, or simply take some time to gather your thoughts. It can also help to learn a little more about AO, the role and what matters to us. You can find out more about AO in our “About Us” page! The most important thing is finding an approach that helps you feel comfortable and confident.
Tell your story
“What should I actually talk about in the interview?”
We want to hear about you. Share the experiences you’re most proud of, the challenges you’ve tackled and the impact you’ve made along the way. Real examples help bring your experience to life and show us what you’d bring to AO. Keep it honest, keep it relevant and focus on the moments that matter most.
Plan ahead
“What are the practical things to consider?”
A little planning can go a long way. Make sure you’ve checked the details on your interview invite, planned your journey or tested your technology if you’re interviewing virtually. Try to join or arrive a few minutes early so you’re not feeling rushed and can settle in before you start. If there’s anything we can do to support you during the process, just let us know.
For more interview tips, check out our article below!
Reasonable Adjustments
We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best throughout our recruitment process. That’s why we’re committed to creating a positive, accessible and supportive experience for every candidate. If there’s anything we can do to support you, whether that’s arranging a ground floor meeting room, providing a sign language interpreter or making another reasonable adjustment, please let us know.
Throughout the recruitment process, we’ll talk to you about any support or reasonable adjustments you may need. We know there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so we’ll work with you to understand what will help you feel comfortable and give you the best opportunity to showcase your skills and experience
Right to Work
Before you join AO, we’ll just need to check your Right to Work documents. Every UK employer has to do this, and your recruiter will guide you through exactly what you need. We’ll check your documents in person and let you know what to bring and when. This helps us make sure your AO journey starts smoothly! Here’s a simple version of the documents we’d request:
If you’re a UK or Irish citizen, you’ll need either: a UK or Irish passport, a Birth/Adoption Certificate and proof of your National Insurance number.
If you’re from the EU, you’ll need: a share code showing your settled or pre‑settled status, and proof of your date of birth (like a passport or driving licence).
If you’re from outside the UK/EU you’ll need: a share code for your visa or residence permit, and proof of your date of birth.