Graduate Schemes: Need to make my app stand out.

pazza2000

Hello,

Perhaps some people could help me here. I graduated a few years ago however i would like to now apply for several graduate schemes as i feel they are well suited. The past 3 years i have worked abroad and one thing or another has led me to opt out of applying, however some of them seem very appealing and i feel i already have some experience in some of the roles that would compensate for my late application.

Anyway, what i need to do is make my application stand out as i know i am at disadvantage. Interviews, assessment centres and online testing i feel i would do very well at, its just securing the next steps.

Does anybody have any advice what these schemes like to see on an app, what i could do to make mine stand out & how best to address my reasoning for applying so late??

Any advice or insight would be very much appreciated.

Cheers

Oldernotwiser

Which year are you hoping to apply for - you're rather late for a 2010 start.

The_One_Who

You'll also need to look at the applications, some have time limits on when you are still considered a 'graduate'. Otherwise you'd need to apply for general vacancies.

Did you get anything out of travelling, was it constructive? Use experience gained from that you boost applications.

Stubert

Also what field are you applying for?!

pazza2000

The_One_Who wrote: »

You'll also need to look at the applications, some have time limits on when you are still considered a 'graduate'. Otherwise you'd need to apply for general vacancies.

Did you get anything out of travelling, was it constructive? Use experience gained from that you boost applications.

You know, i have come across not many that stress only recent grad's apply. A few that i have been interested in(operations), say they have no issue with grads who have done so a few years ago. However i am aware it is an issue for some schemes, and applying a few years after graduation can out you at a disadvantage.

pazza2000

Stubert wrote: »

Also what field are you applying for?!

Several. I am unsure what i want to do sadly, so i am flexible in the sense that i want to work in a business area.

Logistcs, finance, operation, general management.

Voyager2002

Start by booking an appointment with a university careers adviser. You may have to pay (especially if it is not at the university where you graduated) but it would be money well spent. Bring along a completed application form for a scheme that interests you and go through it with the advisor, discussing your answers.

Also bring along a few paragraphs about what you have done since graduation, how it has made you develop and what you have learned from these experiences.

mrjoet

Step 1 - find a scheme/job you like

Step 2 - check you meet the requirements e.g. degree, A-levels, age, experience etc. Also check the deadline!

Step 3 - Read through the online material regarding the grad scheme, especially 'what we look for'.

Step 4 - Research the company, find out their philosophy (you should find this under corporate responsibility and about us), look at recent news articles, check their share history, read their quarterly/yearly report.

Step 5 - Read the application fully before answering, brainstorm the application, try and think of three examples you could use to answer each question.

Step 6 - Answer the questions using examples that cover most or all of their competencies, use the STAR approach, Situation, Target, Approach, Result. Try and and link your answers to current events or speeches made by their CEO.

Step 7 - check you application, if you have an amazing application form and you make a stupid spelling mistake, expect to be rejected. Mistakes scream incompetence, lack of attention to detail and show you don't care enough about the job.

Step 8 - Remember it's a numbers game, 95% of people are rejected at the initial stage, following the steps above will improve your chances significantly but you will not be accepted for all of them so don't get disheartened!

Good Luck!

lawsofnature

The_One_Who wrote: »

You'll also need to look at the applications, some have time limits on when you are still considered a 'graduate'. Otherwise you'd need to apply for general vacancies.

This is generally no longer the case (though it used to be very prevalent for investment banking). Graduate schemes (or entry-level schemes as some are called now) do not usually have time limits with respect to when an individual graduated. If they do, it may be construed as age discrimination.

The_One_Who

It's hardly age discrimination since anyone can become a graduate at any age. It's more down to what you have done since graduating that may be of concern to a potential employer. I was just pointing it out since some places do set a limit and it's pointless filling in the application if that is the case.

Also, age discrimination is still perfectly legal, just look at the minimum wage for an example of this.