A.P. Moller-Maersk Group (commonly known as Maersk Group) is a Danish business conglomerate specializing in transport, logistics, and as of 2016, energy. Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark it is the largest container ship and supply vessel operator in the world.

As of today, it has subsidiary offices in 130+ countries and around 88,000 employees worldwide. Thus, whether you are a specialist with years of experience or a newly-graduated student, Maersk Group offers excellent career opportunities all over the world.

Below we examine their hiring process.

Maersk Group Recruitment Process

The best way to start your search for available vacancies at Maersk Group is through their official website. Every day dozens of job opportunities are posted. Thus, chances are you will find a position that will interest you!

Note that the company does not encourage ‘unsolicited job applications,’ so make sure you are applying to the right job by meeting the criteria listed on the site.

Online Application

After selecting a post, you will be re-directed to a screen with all the information available for that position. We recommend you pay special attention to the ‘key responsibilities’ and ‘we are looking for’ sections. Here, the company thoroughly describes the must-haves for the job and gives you valuable insight as to what it requires.

The recruitment process starts once you click on the button ‘Apply’ and a screen prompts where you will be asked to create a profile. Before you can do anything, you will need to wait for a confirmation e-mail; this may take up to 24 hours, so do not be alarmed if you do not receive it right away.

Like most online applications, you will need to provide necessary information such as an address, phone number, work permit information, and first language. At this stage, you will also be required to upload your CV, references, and cover letter. Lastly, you will need to answer a few basic questions, such as:

• Why are you interested in this job?
• Have you applied to A.P. Moller Maersk Group before?
• When did your employment end?

After submitting your application online, you will receive a confirmation e-mail.

Interviews

If you fulfil all the criteria, someone from the HR department will contact you to schedule a meeting. Depending on the job, it can be via phone or in-person. This first interview will focus on your skills, background, and capabilities ⁠— it is very straightforward.

Expect questions such as:

• Are you a team player?
• Why do you want to work with us?
• Which company’s values align with your personal values?
• How will you describe your style of communication?

The second interview is usually conducted by a Hiring Manager (who will also make the final hiring decision.) Here, the company focuses on the specific skills and qualities required for the position at hand. It is a relatively long interview that can last between 30 minutes to an hour.

Expect in-depth questions like:

• Describe a previous project where things did not go as expected.
• Have you ever been employed through a company merger? If so, tell us about your experience.
• Do you have experience working with clients in multiple time zones?
• What do you understand by the term refrigeration? Please define.

We suggest you do some research and come prepared given that the second interview’s questions, more often than not, are specifically designed for the position you are interested in getting.

Maersk Assessments

Maersk Group is well-known for having a series of assessments throughout their hiring process. These assignments might appear before or during the interviews listed above.

Predictive Index Learning Indicator (PI LI)

Previously known as the ‘Professional Learning Indicator’ (PLI) test, the Predictive Index Learning Indicator (PI LI) is a short test of 50 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 12 minutes. The purpose of these type of assessments is to evaluate your cognitive skills and your capacity to learn and adapt in the workplace. 

The test covers three main categories:

1. Numerical Reasoning – Including number series, math problems, and simple mathematical operations.
2. Verbal Reasoning – Encompassing analogies, formal logic, reading comprehension, and word problems (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, meanings.)
3. Non-Verbal Reasoning – Including spatial awareness, logical and inductive reasoning.

It is essential to highlight that there is no “negative scoring” ⁠— meaning, that you will not be penalized for wrong answers. Therefore, try to mark every single question even if you are not entirely sure of what the correct answer may be.

Personality Test

The personality test usually follows the PLI Assessment, and allow employers to predict workplace performance and behavioural patterns. Therefore, consists of a series of simple questions to assess personality traits and psychological behaviour.

Maersk Group often conducts this type of test via the Internet. It is reasonably quick, as it generally takes between 5-10 minutes to complete. However, the assignment itself is untimed. Thus, take all the time you need!

The test includes four main categories:

• Dominance
• Extraversion
• Patience
• Formality

So even though there is no ‘formal’ studying required, you should be prepared to answer questions like:

• To what extent do you try to control your environment?
• Would you say you seek social interaction with others?
• With what type of people do you work best?
• To what extent do you try to conform to formal rules and structure?

Other Assessments

Depending on the country and specific job position you are applying to, candidates might be requested to take additional tests. For instance, if English is not your first language, you will need to take an English Proficiency test to make sure you are the right candidate. Furthermore, when applying to technical or engineering positions, you may also have to take operational assessments and software-skill tests. These are often done in-person at a nearby office before the second interview.

Timeline

As you can see, the hiring process is pervasive. Thus, do not get discouraged if you have not received an invitation to interview after a few days. The company receives thousands of applications every week! Hence, sorting out candidates can take time.

Overall, previous candidates say the entire process can take between three weeks to two months to complete.