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Wilkinsons Graduate Scheme are available in four excellent shapes so there’s bound to be something which inspires and challenges you!

Wilkinsons currently turn over £1 Billion per year and employ thousands of staff across the UK.

Graduates are recruited in the latter part of the year, with applications closing in January. The courses commence in April and each programme lasts 18 months. Programmes include:

– Web Marketing
– Brand Development
– Visual Merchandising
– ICT

Web Marketing graduates will have the opportunity to join and contribute to the online team who offer extended product range to customers through the wilkinsonsdirect.com website.

Brand Development Programme will put graduates in the position be part of the team that ‘guards’ the Wilkinsons brand by ensuring the logo, colour palette, icons are used effectively, and performing trials for new initiatives and products.

The Visual Merchandising team implements what has been identified by the Brand Development team and use visual marketing strategies, and build effective relationships with design and production agencies.

ICT team manages and maintains programmes and projects, infrastructure, data applications etc. And this is an exciting time for Wilkinsons as they make ambitious changes.

What’s the Application Process?

Submit an online application via the Wilkinsons Graduate website, where you will have an opportunity to upload your CV and covering letter. Applications open toward the end of the year and close in January

You’ll then be asked to take a telephone interview to ensure you are the sort of candidate which Wilkinsons are looking to recruit. Make sure you have a copy of your current CV handy to refer to, and some notes detailing why you are keen to be part of this exciting team!

For successful candidates there will be an opportunity for a Taster Day at Head Office in Worksop so that you have a chance to meet the people you may be working for and better understand the company and roles you are applying for.

There will then be an Assessment or Selection Centre held at Head Office which is usually completed in February or March where you’ll be asked to carry out a number of group and individual tasks during observation. There will also be basic psychometric tests and individual interviews during the day.

What do I need to Apply?

Wilkinsons demand that their graduates achieve at least a 2:1 degree in a subject suitable to the course, plus a full UK driving licence and your own transport. You can find out more at the Wilkinsons Graduate website http://wilkograduates.co.uk/.

  
Sainsbury’s Graduate Schemes are an excellent way to jump start your career into a well-respected retail company that currently employ over 150,000 people and has 900 stores.

Sainsbury’s have labelled their Graduate Scheme the 2020 Leaders Programme and has three options depending on your skills and preferences:

– Commercial
– Operations
– People

Sainsbury’s tend to recruit their graduates in the early part of the year, and commence their graduate schemes in August, where you can expect to complete the programmes within 2-3 years and apply for suitable managerial positions within 3-5 years of starting.

The Commercial Programme gives you an understanding of the product process within the company from Buying right through to the Marketing where the first year of the course is within the Store Support Centre, and the second year will be acting as a manager developing your people management skills and your personal leadership style.

The Operations Programme makes sense of the Stores and Logistics operations undertaken throughout the stores. The training process is broken down into two distinct phases – shadowing Managers and working in large supermarkets, Sainsbury’s Local and in the Logistics team. The second phase is acting as Deputy Store Manager. You can expect to be working as Store Manager or similar within a matter of years, depending on your progress and available vacancies.

The People Programme you will carry out placements in Human Resources, Customer Service, Communications or Corporate Responsibility. These are the teams that ensure that either employees or customers have an excellent experience. The second year gives you experience as either HR Manager or Customer Service Manager to develop your managerial skills.

What is the recruitment process?

The first stage is to complete a series of questionnaires which will probably take from 1½ to 2 hours to complete. If you are suitable you will then be redirected to further ability and reasoning tests which will take 20 minutes each to complete.

You will then be contacted to arrange a telephone interview at a suitable time. This will be your opportunity to demonstrate how keen you are for the role.

If you are considered a suitable candidate you will then be asked to complete a further online personality questionnaire to ensure you are the sort of person that will fit well into the team.

The final step is to complete the Assessment Centre which will last one and half days. You can expect to undertake a number of tasks both as a group and individually. There will also be an individual interview to attend where you will meet managers who are carrying out the roles you wish to eventually fulfil.

What do I need to apply?

In order to apply any of the Sainsbury’s Graduate Schemes you will need to have a 2.1 degree in a suitable course, plus as least 1 x A and 2 x Bs at A Level plus at least B in Maths and English at GCSE.

  
Lidl Graduate Scheme is a two year course providing opportunities for career development into Store Management, District Management, Buying and International opportunities.

Lidl first opened during the 1970s in Germany and within a decade the company was a household name across the county. Today the organisation has expanded so that there is now a Lidl store in almost every European country, including over 580 stores across the UK.

Lidl in the UK still has a strong link with their German arm and therefore higher level management, buyers and operations staff will have a significant advantage if they are fluent in both English and German.

Graduate Area / District Management Programme will see your first 6-9 months on a placement with real hands-on experience within the stores, leading to you managing your own store by the end of this period. You will then shadow an existing District Manager for the remainder of the programme.

Graduate Buying Opportunity Programme is based at the Lidl UK Stores Head Office in Wimbledon. After a short introductory period working within a store, you will deputise a Senior Buying Manager doing a wide range of tasks and liaising with all aspects of buying.

Graduate Store Manager Programme gives you all the management and leadership skills you will require to be a confident manager within the retail sector within 3-5 years depending on vacancies.

Graduate International Opportunities Programme is a total of 2 years and includes a 3 month secondment in a European store and insight into the four key aspects of their business: Purchasing; IT; Administration; and Central Services.

What is the recruitment process?

Search for current Graduate training opportunities on the Lidl careers website http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/4034.htm where you can also learn more about the company. Once you have found a suitable programme, complete the questionnaire online via their website where you will also be asked to upload your CV and covering letter.

If your application was successful you will be asked to complete a further psychometric questionnaire to determine that your personality is likely to fit in well within the team.

The third stage is a telephone interview – you will be contacted to agree a convenient time and date for a telephone interview to ensure you are the sort of candidate Lidl are looking to recruit.

If you are successful at the third stage you will be asked to attend a Recruitment Session which will usually last for the entire day, when you will be asked to complete a number of group and individual tasks whilst under observation. There will also be individual interviews to further discuss your background and give you the opportunity to ask questions about the position.

What should I expect?

The two year programmes are challenging, but are well recognised in the industry as giving you the essential managerial and communication skills to succeed in retail!

Whilst you’re training you can expect to earn a starting salary of £33k rising to possibly £53k within 3 years.

What do I need to apply?

For most of the Graduate Schemes you will require a 2:1 degree in a suitable course, and being fluent in English and German is required in the Buying and International programmes. Further details are available at the Lidl careers website.

  
Lloyds TSB are part of the Lloyds Banking Group recruit many of their managers through their Graduate Leadership Programmes.

The organisations goal is for each of their brands, Lloyds TSB, Bank of Scotland and Halifax, to be the best banks for their customers, and Scottish Widows to sustain their position offering a leading range of insurance and investment products.

The applications close at the end of the year, so make sure you get your applications in within plenty of time, and courses commence in September.

The Graduate Schemes are two years long and include a variety of challenges and the opportunity to develop a wide range of transferable skills in leading teams as well as the technical skills you’ll need to complete the tasks. The available programmes include:

– Corporate Markets – provides you with hands-on experience in Capital Markets, Structured Finance and derivatives.
– Finance – receive exposure to business areas and opportunities.
– Business Technology – develop your understanding of improving technical and service whilst increasing your commercial awareness and leadership.
– Human Resources – gives you the chance to extend your commercial knowledge and leadership skills whilst working towards professional CIPD qualifications.
– General Management – you’ll be exposed to a range of different business environments to challenge you and provide you with the necessary skills you will need to lead teams.

What is the recruitment process?

If you think that a graduate scheme for Lloyds would be a good career move for you, then it may be worth completing the Lloyds Self Selection tool http://www.lloydsbankinggrouptalent.com/ which gives you an indication of whether you will be suitable in just 5-10 minutes.

If you consider one of the Graduate Programmes are suitable to you, apply via the online application process which will take 15-20 minutes to complete. Questions refer to you previous work experience, capabilities, knowledge and why you think you would be a suitable candidate.

You will then be redirected to complete a psychometric test online which is aimed at better understanding how you behave in circumstances, and therefore predicting how you will respond in the Lloyds environment.

If your application and psychometric tests prove successful, you will be contacted to arrange a telephone interview so the HR team can get a better knowledge of your background and further discuss why you would like to join the Lloyds team.

The final step is to attend the Assessment Centre where candidates complete a range of tasks whilst being observed. The tasks are both individual and group exercises, as well as a competency based interview where the questions refer to how you have reacted in previous circumstances.

What do I need to apply?

You will need to have a minimum of a 2:1 degree in a relevant course, plus 300 UCAS points from three A-levels. (Business Technology Leadership Programme requires only 260 UCAS points at application).

You will also need to be prepared to travel throughout the UK as the courses are undertaken nationwide in different cities.

  
There is a lot of information out there about graduate schemes, but what about your own, specific stories about what you have been through?

I have a friend who started an M&S Graduate Scheme in 2008 and is now a store manager on a fantastic wage; so there are definitely chances out there for you. I look forward to hearing your stories.

  
Argos currently employ 34,000 people, and expect that figure to increase throughout 2012. The reason behind their massive success is that they offer a unique shopping experience with thousands of products under one roof, recognised by their customers for choice, value and convenience.

Argos is part of Home Retail Group, which includes Homebase, Home Store & More and most recently Habitat.

Argos Graduate Schemes come in two forms – Argos Graduate Leadership Programme and the Home Retail Group Finance Graduate Programme.

On either course you’ll have an excellent opportunity to train and develop, to learn about the business inside out. There will be a number of challenges across the store to keep you busy.

The Argos Graduate Leadership Programme you’ll have an opportunity to get a really progress your career over a 24 month period. Only four candidates are selected to start the programme every year, so you can be sure that this Argos training will receive the necessary attention from senior managers.

The Home Retail Group Finance Graduate Programme offers a variety of challenges to train its future finance leaders. Graduates recruited onto the scheme are trained by the company’s accredited trainers in either ACCA or CIMA qualifications which will take about 3 years to complete.

What’s the Recruitment Process?

Applications are usually considered in the first quarter of the year for the course to commence in August. The first step is to apply online via the Home Retail Group graduate website https://www.greatcareers.co.uk/jobs_hrg/financegrad/home-retail-group-graduate-home-page.aspx. Fill in the online questionnaire and attach your updated CV and cover letter.

If your application has been successful you will be contacted to arrange a convenient time and date for a telephone interview. This is to get a better understanding of your background and skills to ensure you are a suitable candidate.

Successful candidates will then be asked to attend a face-to-face interview at the Head Office in Milton Keynes where you will be asked to undertake a numerical reasoning ability test and also get an opportunity to meet the finance managers.

The final stage is the Argos Assessment Centre where you will be expected to carry out some group and individual tasks. It will be to your advantage if you have visited both an Argos and a Homebase store as some of the challenges will be tailored to the shopping experience in these stores.

What do I need to apply?

In order to be considered for the Argos Graduate Programme you will need a 2.1 degree in a suitable course, where numerical and analytical capabilities will be an advantage, a minimum of 280 UCAS points and be permitted to work in the UK.

  
Barclays has been in business for over 300 years and serves 48 million customers in over 50 countries worldwide and now offers a wide range of financial services from standard bank accounts, insurance, loans, mortgages and financial advice.

With a starting salary of £36k plus the opportunity to achieve bonuses of up to £8k, your graduate loan will be swiftly reduced!

Barclays Graduate Programmes are recruited at the end of the year where applications for all courses close at the end of December for the selection process to begin in the New Year and courses to start in September. There are several different schemes available, all of which can lead to professional qualifications:

– Retail and Business Banking (RBB) Leadership Programme – this programme focuses on the four main retail units of Barclays: Barclaycard; UK Retail Banking; Western Europe Retail Banking; and African Retail Banking. This is a two year programme with an eight week internship in each banking area.

– Human Resources Leadership Programme – the HR team are responsible for recruiting and retaining the best people to keep them in front of their competition. This course includes professional qualifications from the CIPD.

– Marketing & Products Leadership Programme or the Marketing & Analytics Leadership Programme – during the two year scheme you will learn how concepts become in-store policy and how this is affected by research and development, monitoring and improvement processes.

– The Credit Risk Leadership Programmes – there are two different schemes to choose from, Analytics or Delivery & Information although both primarily deal with the complicated issue of risk management. Analytics develops new credit risk strategies while Delivery & Information deals with putting it in practice.

– Technology – Product and Process Development Leadership Programme – you’ll need to love technology and new innovations, as well as being able to manage teams and communicate effectively.

– Finance Leadership Programme – it’s all about reporting on progress, and more importantly driving the business forward, identifying fraud or financial crime.

– Tax Leadership Programme – during the four-year scheme you will learn about the industry, understand technical strategies and gets specialist tax training.

Graduate Recruitment Process?

Once you have carried out some research into the Barclays graduate schemes available you will need to apply online via the Barclays Career website where you’ll complete a questionnaire asking about your career and work experience history.

You will then be redirected to some online tests to review your numerical and reasoning skills.

If your application is successful you will be contacted to arrange a telephone interview to further discuss your background and particularly talk about the times you have demonstrated your leadership abilities.

If you are considered a suitable candidate you will be asked to attend an Assessment Centre where you’ll be observed carrying out individual and group tasks and you’ll be judged on your aptitude.

What do I need to apply?

To be considered for a Barclays Graduate Programme you will need to have a 2:1 degree, although no specific courses are required you will have an advantage if the degree is in a suitable course, plus 300 UCAS points from 3 A-Levels.

  
It may be a bit difficult to find a job for a recent graduate. Check out this list of job seeking resources that may help you with your job search as a graduate.

Job Sites

Job websites come in many shapes and sizes. Some sites might be useful for locating part-time jobs but are less useful for finding jobs suitable for graduates. Other websites specialise in jobs for specific groups of people such as graduates or specific ethnic groups. Other sites specialise in different professions sites specific to certain areas of the country.

How good a job website it depends on what you are looking to get from it, so it is impossible to provide a comprehensive list of the best job sites. A good way to find useful sites is to ask your tutors, careers advisors or friends who are also looking for jobs.

Searching companies’ sites can give you a head start on the competition as companies often advertise vacancies on their sites first. If you know which companies you want to work fro it can be as simple as checking back with the site every week or so.

Email alerts are one of the most useful functions of the job sites. You can register with the site and get them to email you about jobs that are relevant. Once you have decided which sites have the sort of vacancies you’re interested in, see if they offer this service. The best idea is to initially set your search terms quite wide and them streamline your search if you get too many irrelevant job details sent to you. For example, if you are looking for journalism jobs in London, try picking any publishing jobs in the South East. It is better to have a scroll past a few inappropriate jobs than have your perfect job pass you by.

Try: CV Library, Reed, Totaljobs etc.

Publications

Although the internet as undoubtedly changed job hunting, there is still a good chance that finding a job will require you to refer to magazines, newspapers and journals. Here are some of the most important types of publications.

Employer brochures contain information about companies and their training schemes; you’ll find them in careers services or direct from the company.

Career magazines contain essential advice and information that will help you with whatever your career aspirations. A short tour around your careers service should show that there are plenty of titles aimed at getting you your perfect job.

Some newspapers carry graduate vacancies in supplements and sections. You may be able to check for these opportunities on the newspaper’s websites.

Jobs advertised in regional newspapers may not be advertised as graduate vacancies but small to medium enterprises may also be looking for graduate-quality staff.

Trade magazines have information on the latest developments and vacancies, although there is more of a bias to existing professionals rather than those just starting out. If you’re sure of your career destination then it is advisable to be reading the specific trade magazine for your industry to keep up to speed and prepare yourself for those tricky industry-specific questions at interviews. In most cases these magazines are accessible on the internet.

Organisations

Careers services are an important facility for students and graduates. They are free, have staff trained to a very high level and are full of resources to help you get a job. When it comes to finding jobs they also publish their own vacancy lists of companies and positions available in your local area. The lists differ from service to service so ask your careers adviser what is available.

Most careers services continue to offer advise to graduates up to five years after graduation. If you move away from your university after you graduate you may be entitled to use the facilities on offer at other universities within your new area.

If you know what area you want to go into when you graduate you should consider joining the relevant professional body or chartered institute for your industry. They may be responsible for producing a trade magazine, which you might get as a member. Registered members might also have access to a database of available jobs. Mist professional bodies provide a reduced student or graduate membership fee.

Create Your Own Job

There are a variety of resources available to job hunters who go it alone. Your university’s alumni association will be able to put you in touch with graduates who have gone into the field that you are interested in. Some associations also run special networking events where alumni can make contacts.

Undertaking work experience with a company could be anther way to break into your chosen field. Your chances of being taken on permanently will depend upon the type of work experience you undertake, but a stint of work experience could put you in the right place at the right time when an opportunity arises.

Similarly, undertaking temporary work could lead to a more permanent position in your chosen field. This approach works particularly well if you can get a temp placement in company you would ultimately like to work for. This means that you can get a foot in the door and start learning about how the company works and getting to know other members of staff. Then it’s a case of biding your time and waiting for a vacancy to arise.

Good luck.