Graduate job requiring 2:1 but I only have 2:2, is it worth applying?

ironlady2022

Wanting to apply for this Graduate scheme at Morrisons but it says you need 2:1, I have a 2:2 but meet all the skills required. Do I bother applying or not? Has anyone applied for a graduate scheme before and been accepted even if you don't meet the degree criteria?

For Employers, do you immediately dismiss these applications?

Vejovis

anything is worth applying for, they can only say no, and you're no worse off than you are now. but they might not get and 2:1s with the required skills, so they might give you a chance.

Esoog

mayling03 wrote: »

Wanting to apply for this Graduate scheme at Morrisons but it says you need 2:1, I have a 2:2 but meet all the skills required. Do I bother applying or not? Has anyone applied for a graduate scheme before and been accepted even if you don't meet the degree criteria?

For Employers, do you immediately dismiss these applications?

Like the other person said, it's worth it. But I wouldn't get your hopes up, most graduate schemes are well over applied with 2:1+ applicants let alone 2:2 :<

network rail have just launched a new 2:2 scheme if you like trains! :d

whitewing

My understanding with bigger companies is that they can have a tick list of criteria and HR may screen candidates against this before even the managers take a look at the application. So you could put a lot of effort into something that never gets close to a person who can judge you as an individual. but then again, they may only need 9 of the 10 criteria so you could get through.

I think I would apply, it is all good experience in making you think about how you are presenting yourself.

The_One_Who

These online applications have filters, and your degree classification is enough for the application to go straight into the trash folder. It's unfortunate, but they need to narrow down the applicants somehow and this is one way.

With a 2.2 it'd probably be better to apply to schemes that are fine with it, or try applying direct for roles. Graduate schemes are fast-tracks, but there are far more applicants than places, and there are other ways into the same/similar job.

Voyager2002

One reason why it makes sense to apply in your final year, before the result is known. At that point you can say that you anticipate a 2i and thus get through the screening, and it quite often happens that candidates who get all the way through the selection process and get a job offer are still accepted even when they end up getting a 2ii.

Anyway, if you know that you have a 2ii then you could perhaps "mistakenly" write 2i on the form, and of course correct the mistake when it is discussed in interview. That way you would have a chance to impress the panel with your other talents. Such an approach might work if you have something really special to offer that is relevant to the job, but would not make sense if your skills are similar to those of thousands of other graduates.

compbren

I finished University last year and applied have worked with my company for 10 years (I'm 27). I applied for their graduate training scheme and i've got a 2:1. In my time at my workplace, I worked 30+ hours per week whilst studying at Uni, I was left in charge of my department on many occasions managing the staff and during my annual review I was always praised and was never given any criticism. So, I applied for the Graduate Scheme this year, and was rejected almost straight away. They are so hard to get into and annoying for me that they'd probably give the job to somebody who has just left Uni at 21 and have lived off their parents for their whole life and not ever had a job!

dizzyrascal

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Anyway, if you know that you have a 2ii then you could perhaps "mistakenly" write 2i on the form, and of course correct the mistake when it is discussed in interview. That way you would have a chance to impress the panel with your other talents. Such an approach might work if you have something really special to offer that is relevant to the job, but would not make sense if your skills are similar to those of thousands of other graduates.

That would be a blatant lie and set all the alarm bells ringing. If you have some mitigating circumstances as to why you got a 2:2 (such as a death in the family, long term illness) it is worth trying as you can explain your grade that way.
I'm afraid another poster has already pointed out that they use the grade as a way to filter out most of the applicants so a 2:2 is unlikely to be looked at unless you can point to evidence to explain why you could have done better.

dizzyrascal

In addition, they will ask for a transcript of your degree anyway so you can't lie your way out of it.

Emmzi

don't lie about your degree, I'd dismiss you before you started when I got a copy certificate.

PHONE and ask. I'm always more likely to see someone who has bothered to pick up the phone.

dizzyrascal

Just for the purposes of information. If you can produce a transcript that shows that you were consistently on course for a 2:1 but because of a change in circumstances (say a bereavement) you narrowly missed out and got a 2:2 then it might be possible to show that you have mitigating circumstances. It's a long shot but worth a try if there is a genuine reason.
What they are looking for is a consistently high achiever to be their future leaders/managers. This is why many companies want to see your grades for GCSE's and A levels.
It is only one criteria that companies use to select candidates but it is important and in a lot of cases it is the first hurdle to overcome.