Savills is one of the world’s leading property consultancies, with a proud British heritage and a global presence spanning over 60 countries. Known for its professionalism, innovation, and commitment to excellence, Savills attracts top talent from all over the world. If you’re aiming to build a career in property, estate management, or related fields, securing a role at Savills can be a fantastic step forward.
But how do you stand out in a competitive recruitment process? This guide will walk you through the key steps to help you get hired at Savills, from your initial application to succeeding in assessments and interviews.
Understand What Savills Looks For
Savills seeks candidates who are not only academically capable but also demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, commercial awareness, and a genuine passion for property. Whether you’re applying for graduate schemes, internships, or experienced roles, the company values:
Problem-solving ability: Can you think critically and find practical solutions?
Communication skills: Can you articulate ideas clearly and work well with clients and colleagues?
Teamwork: Are you able to collaborate effectively in diverse teams?
Drive and enthusiasm: Do you show motivation to learn and grow within the property sector?
About Savills
Savills is a British real estate services company founded in 1855 by Alfred Savill in London. Starting as a small firm, it grew steadily over the decades, moving its headquarters to Lincoln’s Inn Fields in the 1920s and rebranding as Savills by the 1970s. The company became a limited company in 1987 and was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1988. Since then, Savills has expanded internationally through mergers and acquisitions, including significant growth in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, establishing itself as one of the world’s leading property consultancies with a presence in over 600 offices globally.
Our comprehensive PDF package of practice questions offers a valuable resource to support your preparation. It contains carefully crafted questions that closely mirror the format of the actual test, allowing you to study effectively at your own pace, even offline.
Step 1: Crafting Your Application
Your application is your first impression. Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences. Research Savills thoroughly—understand their values, recent projects, and market position—and reflect this knowledge in your personal statement. Show why you want to join Savills specifically, not just any property company.
Step 2: Preparing for the Assessment Centre
Savills typically invites shortlisted candidates to an assessment centre. This is a crucial stage where you’ll undertake several exercises designed to test your suitability for the role:
Aptitude Tests: These usually include numerical and verbal reasoning tests to assess your ability to interpret data and understand written information quickly and accurately.
Group Exercises: You’ll be placed in a team tasked with solving a problem or discussing a scenario. This tests your communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.
Case Studies or Presentations: Some roles require you to analyse a property-related case and present your findings or recommendations.
Interviews: You may have competency-based and technical interviews to explore your experience, skills, and fit with the company culture.
Step 3: Mastering the Aptitude Tests
Aptitude tests are a key hurdle in the Savills recruitment process, designed to assess your numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning skills under time pressure. These tests help Savills identify candidates who can think critically, interpret data accurately, and communicate effectively—skills essential in the fast-paced property consultancy world.
What to Expect in the Aptitude Tests
Numerical Reasoning: You’ll be presented with data in the form of tables, charts, or graphs and asked to perform calculations, interpret trends, or solve percentage and ratio problems. Questions might involve mortgage calculations, rental yields, or market growth figures—real-world scenarios relevant to property consultancy. Accuracy and speed are crucial, as you’ll have limited time to answer each question.
Verbal Reasoning: This section evaluates your ability to comprehend written information and draw logical conclusions. You’ll read short passages—often about business or property-related topics—and answer True/False/Can’t Tell questions based on the text. This tests your attention to detail and critical thinking.
Logical/Diagrammatic Reasoning: Some roles may require you to complete pattern recognition or sequence-based questions. These assess your ability to identify relationships and think abstractly, skills useful for problem-solving and strategic planning.
Why These Tests Matter
Savills operates in a data-driven environment where decisions must be made quickly and confidently. Savills uses Aptitude tests to simulate this pressure, ensuring candidates can handle the analytical demands of the job. Performing well here demonstrates your readiness to tackle complex challenges and your potential to contribute meaningfully from day one.
How to Prepare Effectively
Use Realistic Practice Materials: The Savills Practice Aptitude Test Pack includes sample questions that closely mirror the actual tests. Working through these will familiarise you with question formats and time constraints.
Time Yourself:</strong> These tests are timed, so practising under exam conditions is essential. Aim to improve both your speed and accuracy.
Brush Up on Core Maths Skills: Refresh your knowledge of percentages, ratios, basic algebra, and interpreting graphs and tables. These are the bread and butter of numerical reasoning.
Develop Reading and Comprehension Skills: For verbal reasoning, practise reading business articles or reports and summarising key points. This sharpens your ability to quickly extract relevant information.
Practice Logical Puzzles: Engage with pattern recognition games or puzzles to boost your logical reasoning skills.
Review Your Mistakes: After practising, carefully analyse any errors to understand where you went wrong and how to improve.
Additional Tips for Success
Research the industry: Stay updated on property market trends and Savills’ recent news. This knowledge will help you in interviews and case studies.
Develop commercial awareness: Understand how property consultancy impacts clients and the wider economy.
Practice communication: Whether it’s writing clearly or speaking confidently, strong communication is key.
Be authentic: Savills values genuine passion and integrity—let your true self shine through.
Getting hired at Savills is a journey that requires preparation, self-awareness, and determination. By understanding what the company values and preparing thoroughly for each stage of the recruitment process, you can significantly increase your chances of success.
Remember, the Savills Practice Aptitude Test Pack is just one of many tools available to help you prepare. Combine it with broader research, interview practice, and real-world insights to present the best version of yourself.