Thursday afternoon GradU8 chat highlights
Thursday, Nov 10, 05:21 PM
GradU8 comes to a close
And so this season’s GradU8 has wound down to a close. Don’t worry if you’ve missed any of it, you can still see the videos and chats and view all of the highlights from the event…
This afternoon’s recruiter chats included:
TJX Europe
See company details
Chat highlights:
Jennie Goddard – talent acquisition manager (graduates)
“We can accept a 2:2 if you have strong GCSE and A-level results.”
“We have all kinds of personalities in our business, so it’s more about what you value in a company culture. For us that means that we’re not always very structured and don’t always know what’s happening next week. But if that makes you think of all the flexibility that gives us then it could be the right cultural fit for you!”
“We do get a lot of applications, but you can make yours stand out by having thoroughly researched our business so that you can demonstrate why you think it’s the right environment for you, as well as the right job role.”
“I have had someone get mixed up and refer to another retailer in their application which didn’t impress in terms of attention to detail!”
“We get 10% discount in store, samples sales in HO, life assurance, pension, and a range of other benefits like discounted cinema tickets, on-line shopping, holidays…”
See the full chat
National Graduate Development Programme
See company details
Chat highlights:
Ami Beeton – adviser, leadership & localism
“We will have 50 + places this year and the scheme is nationwide.”
“We just have a lot of senior managers who will be hitting retirement age in the next 5-10 years and we need to make sure that we have people to take over when they go!”
“From day one you will be working on high profile projects. There are some case studies on the website so you can see what current members of the scheme are up too. It really varies depending on what authority you work for and what their priorities are. An example is I have one management trainee who is leading on bringing public health into his council so is working closely with the chief executive and senior management team.”
“You will have at least three placements over the two years so you will get to work on the front line with communities and residents, you will work back office so you get to see how the council is run and also in a strategic role.”
For more advice, see the full chat
Cable and Wireless Worldwide
See company details
Chat highlights:
Kirsty Huntington
“I think that there are some really great people that work here. Cable & Wireless Worldwide care about their staff and because of that the career progression is very good here.”
“It is really important to make sure that you put effort into your application. Make sure that your spelling and grammar are correct and answer all questions in full.”
“We run a friends and family work experience scheme, so if you know someone that works in the business they can arrange for you to come in and do work experience. This would strengthen your application, but I am afraid you would still have to go through the normal recruitment process, and only once a suitable role came up.”
“We have a nice culture at Cable & Wireless where we look for candidates that can move in a fast paced environment. People that are flexible and willing to learn. There are always development opportunities and the managers will do their best to help you to improve your career.”
For more advice, see the full chat
Harrods
See company details
Chat highlights:
Kate Rowley – resourcing partner
“The Retail Graduate Programme is focussed on discovering and growing our future retail leaders. This is the key aspect of the Retail Graduate Scheme so if graduates aren’t looking to pursue a career in Retail Management then this may not be the suitable programme for them.”
“A structured CV and application that conveys your experience and acheivements clearly is key. Your CV should demonstrate your capabilities.”
“We handled an average of 150,000 applications last year!”
“The Retail Graduate Programme requires a minimum 2:1 degree classification, either expected or achieved, in a retail management or vocational related degree.”
“The day-to-day responsibilities of the programme will be focused around sales and understanding the business, product and the Harrods customers before progressing into more luxury areas and then onto the retail manager training.”
See the full chat
Intellectual Property Office
See company details
Chat highlights:
Thomas Britland – Patent Examiner
“Patent examiners have to have (or at least be expected to obtain) a 2:2 in a science, engineering, computer science or mathematics degree.”
“You get a four week dedicated lecture cycle when you start that teaches you all the basics. From then on you learn the rest from at desk working. For your first few years your work will go through a senior examiner who checks to make sure it is correct.”
“I was attracted to the role because it was a chance to use what I learned in university to understand new ideas and inventions, as well as being one of the first people in the world to see the inventions. The IPO is a government body and the only organisation in the UK that grants patents.”
“You need to be technically minded enough to understand various kinds of technology while having the legal knowledge and English skills to write complex but understandable reports.”
See the full chat
RBS Insurance
See company details
Chat highlights:
Harriet Lunney & Celia Staton, emerging talent team
“At the end of the internship you will have a final review with your line manager. If they are impressed with the work you have done and your contribution to the business, then you shall be given an ‘offer of intent’ letter, which will be conditional of you receiving a 2.1 undergraduate degree.”
“If you are unsuccessful with your application to one of our graduate programmes then you may apply for other roles within the company”
“The management style I would say is strong on ownership – when you start they give you your own work and projects, not shadowing or tea-making for the interns and grads! Also we strive to have a great support system for anyone who joins in terms of buddies and metors, and also your colleagues always want to lend a helping hand if you have a question – so I feel it’s a good mix of support, but ownership of own work as well. I would say anyone you is up for a challenge would fit in well here!”
See the full chat
Euromonitor International
See company details
Chat highlights:
Chris Wetherall – head of sales
“Yes, we provide full training. We like our research analysts to have some feel for the commercial side of the business, and our sales and account management personnel need to be well grounded in the research process, too.”
“We state 2:1 and above, although we might look further at applicants with a 2:2 who have other exceptional attributes as well.”
“Languages are a key asset for us, as is international experience generally. We study consumer markets in 80 countries all around the world, and most of our staff have languages and experience of life and cultures outside of the UK. So yes all European languages are in demand in our London HQ.”
“Research us. Think about what we want. Ask lots of questions. Probe for why you would want to work for us as well as why we should want to hire you.”
See the full chat
Alphasights
See company details
Chat highlights:
Bart Kusters – vice president, Anna Ramsay & Joanna Knight
“We describe ourselves as a knowledge broker. We work with investors (PE funds, hedge funds, investment banks) and consulting firms. They come to us whenever they have questions around a certain industry and we help them by putting them in touch with interesting people from different sectors.”
“We look for 3 things in a CV: 1) good academic credentials 2) socially active 3) intelligent and ambitious.”
“Once you send through your CV, we have a three stage interview process where you will meet with various members of the teams here, ending finally with Max Cartellieri and Andrew Heath who founded the company in 2008.”
“You will get involved in projects early on (after a 2 week training period). Initially the focus will be on conducting research (understanding our client’s briefs and the sectors they invest in). After that you will be involved in finding, engaging and vetting the advisors we look for. Finally you will deal with clients directly. All the projects we work on are relatively short term (1 day – 2 weeks) so you will juggle multiple projects on completely random topics (Russian retail, polysilicon, etc)”
See the full chat
