The selection process
The winners of CEOx1Day will be chosen through a strategic recruitment process designed to test their leadership potential, after which they will be matched with a CEO from a leading Danish company.
Participants must be master or last year bachelor students from a Danish university.
STAGE 1: Applying for CEOx1Day
Timing for stage 1:
17th January 2020 to 23rd February 2020
Approximate Time Commitment:
30 minutes
You must complete and submit an online application which will be reviewed by Odgers Berndtson’s team of executive search experts. The application includes:
- Your contact information
- Information about your studies
- Transcript of your grades
- A summary of your work, extra-curricular and volunteer experience
- A non-disclosure agreement in case you are among the winners of CEOx1Day
Evaluation Criteria for stage 1:
Applications will be evaluated on students’ study success, the scope of their work/volunteer experience and extracurricular activities.
STAGE 2: Online leadership and cognitive ability assessment
Selected students will then be asked to complete an online assessment to create a profile of their competencies and leadership potential, which will be reviewed by our consultants.
Furthermore, you will be asked to record a video of 1-2 minutes duration, where you answer the following questions:
- What achievement are you most proud of in your life – and why?
- What is the number one factor today’s leaders should consider about building a workplace that caters to today’s young generation?
Evaluation Criteria for stage 2:
Personality assessment: Applicants will be assessed on the strengths and competencies that are reflective of a confident and ambitious individual who handles stress effectively, is politically astute, dependable, and values learning and developing new skills.
Video application: Applicants will be assessed on the quality, creativity and vision of their answers.
Timing for stage 2:
26th February 2020 to 6th March 2020
Approximate Time Commitment:
2-3 hours
STAGE 3: Phone Interviews
Selected students will be contacted to participate in a short telephone interview with one of our executive search consultants.
Evaluation Criteria for stage 3:
Applicants will be evaluated over the phone on the quality of their answers to the interview questions and their ability to articulate themselves and think on their feet.
Timing for stage 3:
11th March 2020 to 19th March 2020
Approximate Time Commitment:
15-20 minutes
STAGE 4: Business case and in-person interviews
The finalists will be paired in management teams of a fictive company and compete against one another in a demanding market. Leading a company is a constant balancing act between long-term strategy and short-term financial performance. The applicants get to experience exactly that – in a safe simulated environment. Success in running the company will require analytical skills, ability to adapt to a complex problem-solving environment and also the ability to work together as a team. The solution to the business case will be presented in front of a judging panel.
Following the business case, each student will be personally interviewed by one of Odgers Berndtson’s consultants or partners.
Evaluation Criteria for stage 4:
Finalists will ultimately be assessed on overall performance during the day as well as fit with our CEOs.
Timing for stage 4:
27th March 2020
Time Commitment:
One day
STAGE 5: CEOx1Day Event
Each winner will spend a day with a CEO, learning about their background, career path, and how they create value in their organization. They will have an opportunity to spend one-on-one time with the CEO, attend meetings with their leadership team and tour the company’s facilities. Each CEOx1Day experience will include elements unique to the host company that makes the experience valuable and memorable for both the student and the CEO.
Timing for stage 5:
April/May 2020
Time Commitment:
One day
