6 Tips To Secure A Graduate Scheme

Recruitment for the UK's big graduate schemes is now well under way as major employers seek new talent among next year's graduates. The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), whose members include many of the firms offering the biggest UK graduate schemes, has predicted a 17 per cent increase in the number of graduate vacancies this year. Sounds promising, but how do you increase your chances of getting on to a graduate scheme? First, decide if it is really what you want. It's easy to assume that it's just the next step on a well-trodden route: A levels - university - graduate scheme - management job. But applying for a grad scheme deserves more thought than that. Pros:

• Graduate schemes are generally offered by FTSE100 or FTSE250 companies. You get a prestigious name on your CV, and good networking opportunities, from the start.
• Many offer a structured one, two or three year 'tour' round many corporate departments so you can see which suits you before choosing where to make your career.
• Being one of many scheme members can be comforting. (One scheme member described it as 'like starting university again.')
• There is generally a structured training schedule and support such as mentoring.
• Graduate schemes may pay better than the average for graduate jobs. An AGR survey in 2014 cited average graduate pay as £29,000, perhaps reflecting the fact that AGR members are mainly big companies. Overall graduate pay in 2013-14 averaged £18,000 -£24,000 according to the Higher Education Careers Service Unit (HECSU).

Cons:

• They are hard to get into, partly because they are often restricted to people with 2:1s (though there are some for people with 2:2s and some attract hundreds of candidates per place.
• They can effectively delay the start of your career. If you want to get into marketing, doing six-month stints in lots of other departments could be frustrating. (Though you could find career paths you may never have thought of).
• Schemes may not be the best way into your chosen career. They are great for bankers for poor for graphic designers.
• Employers invest considerable sums in members and expect high levels of commitment. One scheme member told me: "They expect the company name to run through you like a stick of seaside rock."

Still think a scheme is for you? Here’s how to increase your chances of getting in. 1. Start early - years early. Research possible schemes in your first term at university. Some companies offer work placements, taster days, and vacation schemes to year one students. Try to get some kind of work experience with organisations well before you apply for their schemes. Research by High Fliers shows that 37 per cent of those who get a graduate job have already worked for the organisation. 2 Research target companies and schemes in depth - many organisations offer a range, such as KPMG, which offers auditing, tax and pensions, advisory and technical consulting schemes. Understand what's involved in each career sector and be ready to answer questions about it. 3. Find out what the company looks for in successful candidates. Don't just read the description online - search for information on Glassdoor, find articles about the scheme and ideally speak to existing or former scheme members to hear first-hand information. 4. Meet recruiters at university careers fair and company grad recruitment events. 5. Tailor your application to demonstrate the skills and qualities they want. Typically schemes aim to recruit future managers so include plenty of evidence of leadership, initiative and teamwork. 6. Look for details of the recruitment process online. It could include interviews, personality tests, group exercises, problem solving, presentations, in-tray exercises and social events such as lunch with senior managers.  Get some practice in all of these areas - ask your university Careers Office for help.