Securing a Job on a graduate scheme can be the best way to fast track your career. This does, however, mean they are very competitive.
What are graduate schemes?
Graduate schemes are work based training programmes that are aimed at recent graduates. They allow you to develop your skills in a variety of work environments. They vary a lot in terms of the types of schemes that are on offer. Graduate schemes vary in length. Some companies offer graduates the chance to gain experience in different departments. This an obviously benefit you a lot, helping your decide what career path you want to follow.
In the UK, the Times’ top 100 graduate employers is a very useful guide to show you the types of schemes and employers who recruit graduates. PwC, Civil Service Fast Stream, remain at the top. As you can see, the list of companies that take on graduates is endless. They recruit roles in across a wide range of sectors.
How to apply to a grad scheme?
- fill in an online application form.
- take a series of online psychometric tests in timed conditions.
- do a telephone interview or video interview.
- do online tasks like e-tray exercises.
- attend an assessment centre.
- do a face-to-face interview with one or more people from the company.
When to apply to a graduate scheme?
While there is no limitation as to when you can apply to a graduate scheme, it is recommended that you should apply for a graduate scheme at the beginning of the last year of your degree course. However, you can apply up to 3 years after graduation and still have a chance of being accepted into a graduate scheme.
You can find out more below.
Different types of graduate schemes:
- Engineering
- Finance
- Law
- Accountancy
- Health Care
- Retail
- Human Resources graduate scheme
- Marketing graduate scheme
- Business graduate scheme
Companies offer a variety of GradSchemes. Graduate schemes in 2024 vary substantially. For example, Aldi has opportunities in humanities, business and commerce. This would provide world class training, with time to put theory into practice working in stores which could mean you are able to manage a store by yourself by the end of the first year working for them.
Other companies which offer Graduate Scheme jobs:
- Google – IT, Engineering, Business and Commerce, Humanities, Law, Natural Science
- The BBC – Design, Engineering, Journalism, Business, Natural Science, Law, Humanities
- NHS – Health and Medicine
- Civil Service – Law and Humanities
- KPMG – Business and Commerce, Engineering, Technology
What to expect from a grad scheme:
Training – the training in a graduate programme will vary depending on the employer and the field of specialty. Some graduate programmes will be quite specific in their training, focussing on a particular role within an organisation, where others will be quite broad and expose you to a range of operational areas.
Salary – when referring to the salary obtained from a grad scheme, they vary hugely. The average starting salary is between £19,000 and £22,000, but top training schemes can pay more.
Experience – it is an entry to the workforce, and for many students, their first full-time job. Generally, graduate schemes will come with a clear career path and resources for training and development. Graduate schemes give graduates the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and take responsibility right from the start.
How to find the right graduate scheme for you?
Graduate schemes can be searched specifically for your local area. You can also do some research into local firms that may also take on graduates and offer unique training programmes. Check out websites like Milkround or Prospects. Make sure you attend careers fairs with employers at your university. Start looking into graduate schemes as early as possible. Work out what they look for in graduates. For example, many graduate schemes ask for a degree classification of 2.1 as a minimum. To improve your chances of getting on schemes, you will also find that gaining work experience and internships will also help diversify your skills. These will also showing your capabilities and previous experience.
Looking at what you can expect with the interview process for graduate schemes. They are rigorous processes. You can often expect to have to submit an application form. This will be used to screen your application. It is important that you provide a cv and references at this stage. If you are invited to interview, some places will give you a telephone or Skype interview to screen applicants again. You may then be invited to a graduate assessment day. This process will often involve a face-to-face interview, psychometric tests (numerical and verbal reasoning tests), an in-tray exercise to assess your time management skills and group exercises to see how you work in teams.
Our specialist mentors can support you as part of our careers advice and support service. If you would like to find out more please contact us to speak to one of our advisers.