Winter review of UK graduate recruitment the Bright futures experience
revision: Getting in the zone
Boots: UK Talent Programmes | BFKitchen | The Review Room | Company Profiles
contents Editor’s letter
3
The Awards Conference 2015
4-5
6-7
Helping you stand out from the crowd
8-9
The Bright Futures Experience
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BFKitchen Apple & Cinnamon hot cross buns
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Revison: Getting in the zone
12/13
Boots: UK talent programmes
14/15
App reviews
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Company profiles
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Lloyds
18
Atkins
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KPMG
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Civil Service Fast Stream
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Barratt Developments
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M&S
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CAPP/Jobmi
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2015 Winter review of graduate recruitment (AGR)
National award SPONSORS BPP Society of the Year [Strathclyde Bright Futures] www.bpp.com
St James’ Place Fastest growing Society [King’ College Bright Futures] www1.sjp.co.uk
HSBC Most Collaborative Society [Lancaster Bright Futures] www.hsbc.com/careers
The Civil Service Most Inclusive/Diverse Society [Worcester Bright Futures] candidate.faststream.gov.uk
RPC President of the Year [Shah Ahmed - Aston] www.rpc.co.uk/manifesto
CAPP/Jobmi National Ambassador of the year [Adam Enghal - Royal Holloway] www.jobmi.com
Lancaster University Corporate Investor of the Year
[RPC] www.lancaster.ac.uk/careers/
M&S Newcomer of the Year
[Southampton Bright Futures] careers.marksandspencer.com/ graduate-careers
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GE Aviation Event of the Year [Strathclyde Bright Futures] www.geaviation.com
editors letter As if the April edition of hirEd wasn’t enough to make you smile – the sun is shining and spring is finally here! As many of us recover from an Easter bank holiday filled with more hot crossed buns and chocolate than we needed, this month’s edition is packed with the hints and tips to make you more competitive in the job market, as well as current employment opportunities for graduates and interns. Last month saw the 2014/15 Annual Achievement Awards, and as usual it didn’t disappoint. As our flagship awards ceremony, Bright Futures committee members from across the UK joined representatives from over20 graduate employers to celebrate another incredible year of successes for our network of societies. Read all about the awards on pages 4-5 and congratulations once again to the Bright Futures society at Strathclyde University for scooping the ‘Best Society’ award as voted for by attendees on the day. Since joining the National Team in February I have been overwhelmed by the activity happening on campuses spanning the breadth of the UK, packed events to record breaking committee elections. There has never been a better time to be a member of a Bright Futures Society and this summer will be spent planning and implementing new ideas and initiatives to make the experience better for both society members and corporate sponsors.
Although the days are getting longer and the evenings brighter, for many of you, this time of year can mean only one thing – exam preparation! It’s tough, but remember much of the hard work has already been done and assuming that you are able to find out which revision techniques work best for you, the rest could be plain sailing. We’ve got some great tips for you on page 12-13 from some of our society presidents – all of whom are in the same shoes right now. That leaves me to say good luck and to remember that hard work always pays off! Happy reading! Toby Horner: National Societies Relationship Manager P.S. And check out our blog for loads of great articles and tips on how to make yourself more employable.
www.brightfutures.co.uk
*If you don’t have a Society at your university then set up your own! Contact us at society@brightfutures.co.uk and we can get you started right away! 3
Out of all of our Conferences the Annual Awards is my absolute favourite. The other conferences are clearly great too but for me the Annual Awards is a chance to see how much the Committees have grown and developed both personally and also as a Society. I have worked for the National Team for nearly 5 years and in my current role as Head of Society for the last year and a half. My role gives me a chance to not only get to know more about the great Corporate Investors that we have but also to help the Societies shape events that are relevant for their members at the same time filling a gap for our Investors. The Annual Awards Conference highlights how much each Society has come one over the last Academic year and it never surpasses to amaze me how much the Committees manage to achieve and still walk away from University with a great degree. We had a fantastic attendance at the Awards Lunch on the 31st March at our venue in Covent Garden, London. 22 Companies came along to listen, network and be inspired by all the great work that our Committees do. With over 100 in attendance we had a great mix of current Corporate Investors, Careers Services and Guest Companies such as St James Place Wealth Management, Burberry, Apple Thamesview and Michael Page. For some it was a realisation that the committees can do so much to support Companies with their Student Engagement and Attraction. The National Team would like to say a big thanks you to everyone that attended. Seeing the Students grow in confidence, network and develop in just under 1 year, makes our job very worthwhile. We hope you all enjoyed the event as much as we did. Claire Libby, Head of Society
I loved itJ!P Nicki from S
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GreafrotmESavnetanndter! Leonie
I was blown over by the quality of work that the nominated societies are doing! Alison Parkinson Careers Service Edinburgh University
President of the Year: Shah Ahmad, Aston Bright Futures
Society of the Year & Event of the Year: Strathclyde Bright Futures Fastest growing Society of the Year: King’s college London Bright Futures
Most collaborative Society of the Year:
Lancaster Bright Futures Best newcomer Society of the Year: Southampton Bright Futures Corporate Investor of theYear: RPC
National Ambassador of theYear: Adam Engdahl, Royal Holloway Bright Futures
Most inclusive & diverse Society of theYear: Worcester Bright Futures 5
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Helping you stand out from the Crowd Connecting with great employers has never been easier following the merger with MyKindaCrowd (MKC). Just like Bright Futures, MKC sets out to provide CV enhancing opportunities for students where innovation, enterprise and enjoyment are at the forefront of all activity. From online challenges, to interactive university workshops, taking part in a MyKindaCrowd opportunity could see you win typical prizes such as mentoring, work experience, and even summer internships. Here are a few MKC university campaigns from this year.
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Together with global law firm Clifford Chance, MyKindaCrowd held 15 interactive university workshops to introduce students to the annual Clifford Chance Intelligent Aid competition. Not only were participants able to share ideas and begin planning their entries, students were also given hints and tips on how to construct a winning submission. The 40 best entrants from the national competition were invited to attend the final at the Clifford Chance London HQ, and the triumphing 20 students were offered a place on a prestigious vacation scheme. The overall winner also won £5,000 towards their tuition fees! Via an online challenge called ‘Product Pitch’, global food and beverage company Nestle invited university students to create a marketing report that would reposition one of their products into a brand new market. Ideas ranged from introducing Nesquick to bodybuilders as a protein shake supplement, to refreshing the branding of Quality Street chocolates to appeal to a younger audience. The three strongest entrants were invited to Nestle HQ to pitch their ideas to a senior leadership panel and the overall winner one a place on a paid ten-week Sales and Commercial internship. MyKindaCrowd is currently working with the fastest growing mobile network, Three, on a project called ‘Reimagined Learning’ that is set to help young people discover the benefits and opportunities of digital. The project brings together undergraduate students with Three employees and senior leaders in a bid to coproduce and deliver an engaging workshop for 14-16 year olds that will help them discover the opportunities that an increasingly digital world can offer them.
Keep an eye on the MyKindaCrowd website and the Monday Mail out for opportunities in 2015/16.
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bright futures experience
For the first two years of my University life I had no idea what Bright Futures was. I was studying Aeronautical Engineering at Glasgow University. As an Engineering student with many years of studying to get through before graduating; the thought of worrying about employers and job markets after graduating seemed almost silly. In May 2012 my friend Neil introduced me to Bright Futures. He had attempted to join the Glasgow Society to find, much to his surprise, that there wasn’t one. He asked if I was interested in getting involved along with another friend in setting it up. I was intrigued so said yes. This was definitely the best decision I made that academic year. During my first year I wasn’t hugely involved in the event organising and spent most of the time setting up and growing our social media presence. It was a great way to get acquainted with the society and what it was attempting to achieve. Things got much more serious in July 2013 when I agreed to take on the role of President for the year ahead. I knew we had achieved a good number of things in our first year as a society but we had so much more to do. For the 2013/14 academic year I faced many new and different challenges. Managing a committee of 8 people was a great experience, and dealing with affiliation issues within the university itself exposed me to conflict resolution which would be key to my development over the year. I was really proud that the society grew considerably while faced with potential closure and ended the year having grown membership by almost 400 people. Being part of such a highly motivated committee was fantastic, and we were rewarded for our efforts when our CV Workshop with Dan and Tracie from GE Aviation won “Event of the Year” at the National Awards. Moving forward into the 2014/15 academic year, I handed over the President role to Eilidh Black (who on a side note has done a fantastic job and was shortlisted for President of the Year for her great work). I took on the role of one of the National Ambassadors. Three years ago if you had asked me to take on the role I would have shied away from it, but having developed myself so much through Bright Futures I was very excited to take it on. I spent time working with other Societies who were facing challenges and used my experience from Glasgow to help them develop. One example is Nottingham Trent University who are a new society this year. Shreena, the outgoing president, has grown the society herself and with my help now leaves it with a strong committee in place for next year. I met them at the National Conference and they were so motivated for the year ahead that I am sure they are going to do a fantastic job! I finished this year on a high, getting to work with Charles Hardy from LinkedIn to launch official LinkedIn certifications for all society committee members. Alongside that I launched the Bright Futures Society University page which allows members to show employers on LinkedIn that they have been involved with Bright Futures. If you are reading this and haven’t yet added these to your LinkedIn profiles then get it done now! This July I graduate from University and move on to the next chapter of my life. Bright Futures has played such a big part in the last three years and through being involved in it has helped me secure both an Internship and Graduate role with Rolls-Royce which is starting in September. A huge thanks to everyone I have worked with, from Employers to the Bright Futures National team, and all the committee members who have supported me as well. If you are reading this and aren’t yet involved in your local Bright Futures Society then get involved today! Career clueless or future focused, there is something for everyone and the more you put in the more you can get out, just like I did. Thanks for reading.
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pson Kris Thom
BFKitchen
Apple & Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns Ingredients
325 g raw caster sugar 1 lemon 1½ Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored, diced 1 cinnamon quill 750g (5 cups) plain flour 150 g sultanas or golden raisins 50 g dried apple, diced 30 g candied orange, diced 14 gm(2 sachets) dried yeast 3½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp allspice Finely grated rind of 1 orange and 1 lemon 380 ml milk 100 g butter, coarsely chopped 1 egg
Method • Combine 260gm sugar and 375ml water in a saucepan, then squeeze in juice of half a lemon and stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Meanwhile, cut remaining lemon half into 5mm-thick slices, add to pan with Granny Smith apple and cinnamon quill. Bring to the simmer, reduce heat to medium and cook until lemon and apple are translucent (20-25 minutes). Strain, reserving fruit and syrup separately. When cool enough to handle, dice lemon, combine with apple and set aside. • Combine 700gm flour, sultanas, dried apple, candied orange, yeast, 3 tsp ground cinnamon, allspice, rinds, remaining sugar, reserved apple mixture and 1 tsp salt in a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Combine milk and butter in a small saucepan, warm over low heat until butter melts and mixture is lukewarm. Whisk in egg, then add milk mixture to flour, stirring to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (8-10 minutes). Place in a lightly buttered bowl, cover and stand in a warm place until doubled in size (30-40 minutes). • Knock back dough, divide into 20 even pieces, then knead each piece into a smooth ball. Arrange dough balls into two concentric circles on a large round or rectangular baking tray lined with baking paper, leaving 1cm between each for dough to expand. Cover with a tea towel and stand in a warm place until doubled in size (30-40 minutes). • Preheat oven to 220C. Combine remaining flour and 70ml cold water in a bowl and stir to a smooth paste. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a small plain nozzle and pipe a cross shape onto each bun. Bake for 10 minutes, reduce oven to 200C and bake until golden and buns sound hollow when tapped (8-10 minutes). • Meanwhile, combine reserved syrup and remaining ground cinnamon in a small saucepan and stir over medium heat until syrupy and combined. Brush thickly over hot buns, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
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Getting in the...
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zone When there’s important work to be done, it’s easy to find a million things to distract you. Ever found yourself trawling through Facebook photos of people that you don’t even know? Or randomly rearranging your bedroom, for the third time in one week? Well you’re not alone... We asked a number of our society presidents to share their revision hints and tips on how to ‘get in the zone’ and make the most of revision time. ‘Wouldn’t it be great to have my DVDs arranged in alphabetical order?’
“It’s important that you stay hungry mentally throughout all of your revision period. Have a good diet, plenty of rest, stay hydrated, structure the hours in your day and not the days in the hours and most importantly remember this is not a burden but rather your opportunity to show your potential and build the next steps towards your successful future.” Shah Ahmad: Aston BF
“Interactive studying helps me to memorise facts and make things a bit more interesting, so I write colour-coded revision posters.” Jodie Keens: Southampton BF
A couple of months ago a friend of mine recommended an app called ‘Pomodoro Time’. It sets a timer for 25 minutes where your level of attention is meant to be at its maximum. After that you are allowed a five-minute break and after four ‘25 minutes’ you get a long break of 15 minutes. Now I never waste a second because I am able to concentrate and when I have my breaks I can carry out my daily chores, such as hoovering my room, making my bed or painting my nails. You have to try it to believe it!” Melissa Panero: Pearson College BF
“Personally, I like to listen to relaxing music such as lounge or classical music while studying. It helps me to stay focused and to kill potential boredom. In addition, I have read that bananas keep your fructose level up, which ultimately leads to greater concentration.” Lucas Rachner: RHUL BF
“Personally I believe studying well comes down to looking after yourself first and foremost, forget all-nighters and energy drinks and make sure you are eating right and sleeping well. If possible try to get some form of moderate to intense exercise in regularly. Your brain is a part of your body and you need to start thinking of yourself as an athlete preparing for a race: if you feel good you’ll do well.” Youssef Hounat: Strathclyde BF “I like to take the time to copy down all relevant course material given through the term by hand when I’m revising, I find it really helps to assimilate information and understand the course.” Jeanot Dawson: Exeter BF
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Introduction to the Boots UK Talent Programmes: Boots UK offers a wide range of talent opportunities across all areas of the business from retail to finance and marketing to supply chain, looking to attract talented young people and the future leaders of the business, in a range of roles for apprentices, Year in Industry and graduates. Within the Finance Graduate scheme you can work abroad and gain an accountancy qualification; for Brand, Buying and Marketing, you can gain a well-rounded commercial view by rotating around a number of exciting business roles at Boots UK; and the Technology Graduate roles provide opportunity to coordinate and innovate changes that enable a better customer service and more efficient business process. All roles offer competitive salaries and the benefits package, including employee discount. A full list of the programmes available at Boots UK can be found at: www.boots.jobs/talentprogrammes/
Hello everyone!
Having just graduated in Business and Accounting from the University of Hull, I am currently enjoying working for Boots UK on the Supply Chain and Logistics Graduate Scheme. At Boots UK, the customer is the number one focus
in everything it does, therefore all of the graduate schemes include some time working in-store to truly understand the needs of our customers, and how we can use our roles to make the shopping experience better for them. Customer needs are changing faster than ever, and they are becoming more demanding – with customers wanting the widest range of products from a convenient and accessible location, immediately! This presents an exciting opportunity for the Supply Chain to be at the forefront to better satisfy our customer needs, and opportunities within that to create new services and streamline processes – something that I am very excited to get stuck into!
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Here is my experience so far: All of the Graduates who joined the Boots Graduate Scheme in September 2014 spent the first two days in the Boots UK Support Office in Nottingham, where we were briefed on the strategy of the business, its products and departments. Graduates from all of the schemes completed the induction together and it was a great chance to socialise at the range of events that the Boots Talent team hosted. By the end of all the training and inductions, I was ready to hit the ground running in store. The scheme gives real responsibility, very early on. I am currently completing my in-store (four month) placement at Boots Leeds Trinity Store, where I am working as one of seven Assistant Managers in a store that takes businessleading sales daily. The in-store placement gives the opportunity to learn from every department in store, which has enabled valuable and transferable learning that I can use as I rotate around my other supply Chain roles. Working in-store gives opportunity to make a real difference for our customers and in-store colleagues, and with real responsibility from the go. I led the team that installed the Christmas in-store branding in three days, developed a new process behind collection of deliveries and recruited and inducted new staff within my first month in store.
Here are some of the store team with some special guests that came to our store promoting a new perfume launch (Union J!) I have benefited from fantastic support; I have frequent contact with my Supply Chain mentor and Manager. My colleagues and other Store Managers are also always happy to explain any process or ways of working. Weekly meetings with the store’s General Manager also help to align my focus, aiding personal development and enabling my development of the store. I am having a great time at Boots UK and am looking forward to moving in with two other Graduates in Nottingham and to starting my second role of the scheme, in Supply Chain Innovation. Visit the links below for more information about the graduate schemes available at Boots and the exciting roles where you can be a part of this rapidly adapting and market leading business. www.boots.jobs/talentprogrammes/ www.boots.jobs/talentprogrammes/ graduates/supply-chain/ www.facebook.com/TalentProgrammes
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Tube Map
Depop
VegOut
Tube Map (FREE)
Depop (FREE)
VegOut ($2.99)
Runs without requiring Wifi connection or data roaming to plan your journey – which we all know is impossible to get anyway when you’re in the Underground! Simply type in where you’re going from, and where you’re headed to, and it gives you a choice of journeys with easy-to-follow stops and changes, as well as journey times. Much easier than trying to work it out in your head!
Sell and buy with and from your friends safely and securely with Depop. Upload a picture of the item you would like to sell for your peers to see. You can even share it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Browse from Womenswear, Menswear, Vintage and Music to name a few, negotiate with buyers over comments and personal messages, and pay securely with Paypal.
This app is straight from Jamie Olivers Kitchen with over 60 recipes, each one broken into really easy steps with step-bystep photos. What could possibly go wrong! There are also 21 exclusive videos of useful tips, tricks and kitchen skills from sharpening a knife to chopping an onion.
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Lloyds Banking Group
Futureproof yourself: Summer Internships
company profile
This summer, make sure you’re doing something that matters. There’s still opportunities at Lloyds Banking Group to join our Summer Internship programme.
If you work in customer facing environments, you could be in Retail, Insurance or Commercial Banking. You’ll be immersed in the relationships and solutions we build for our customers.
Every day of your 10 week experience with us will count. Get career insights to help you make the most important decisions. It’s the best way to kick-start your career and earn over the summer.
Our financial management programmes are perfect for those who understand data and think logically. It’s where you’ll find our Finance, Audit or Risk streams.
What do I do on an internship? All our interns get ownership of real business activities, with great training and support from their managers and the central Emerging Talent team. Interns also get involved in social responsibility – last year they raised over £36,000 for Alzheimers Society.
If you’re follower of new trends and advancements then Innovation Technology is perfect for you. Our IT or Digital internships are open to all degree backgrounds – we’re not looking for coders, but the people who can create concepts, identify opportunities and find answers for the business.
The work you do depends on which internship stream you join. If you’re not sure what roles might suit you, play our Game. We have five different career paths to help you choose the best internship.
If you choose Business Management you’ll join the teams that make our company operate successfully. Act as an internal consultant, business analyst or project manager to design and
Please visit our website here: www.lloydsbankinggrouptalent.com/internships 18
implement improvements to how our business runs. In People Strategy you’ll also find our Digital internship. This area is about understanding people to design the best experiences for them – whether it’s colleagues or customers.
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Atkins
We are one of the world’s leading design, engineering and project management consultancies.
Join our Graduate Development Programme Launch yourself into some of the world’s most exciting engineering projects with a career in Atkins’ team with our 350+ graduates for the 2015 intake of our UK graduate development programme and have opportunities across a variety of business areas. We recruit across a wide range of degree disciplines, including engineering, physical sciences, construction, environmental, IT and
business related disciplines. For a comprehensive list of vacancies and to see where you might fit in please visit our graduate recruitment website www.atkinsglobal.co.uk/en/careers/ graduates.
Training and Development Because one size doesn’t fit all. It’s our unique breadth of expertise that makes ATKINS different, because we feel each role should be every bit as stimulating as the projects we get involved in, and that it’s never too late to learn, we’ll support you throughout your professional development and career progression.
Our training includes: • Three Year Programme, including a two day induction with your fellow graduates, and further day-events throughout the programme. • Workshops and formal training in essential skills such as project management, client engagement and report writing.
• On the job experience, working with real projects of real clients. • Mentoring and a buddy programme to help you identify and reach your goals. •Business wide graduate representative and social events. • End of programme event. Professional review and a 6-12 months career plan.
company profile
Atkins people are good. In fact, we’re brilliant. We just don’t like to talk about it. Over the past 75 years, our designers and engineers have been quietly building a worldwide reputation for finding creative solutions to practical problems, whatever the scale. It’s this ability to create masterpieces alongside micro pieces that makes Atkins people special. From conception through to completion, and everything in between, what drives us is our determination to be the best. Are you one of us?
What we offer you It’s an exciting time to develop your career, and we can offer you a competitive salary, tailored training and support towards a recognised professional qualification. All graduates receive a £5k ‘Welcome Bonus’ (£2,500 in your first pay, and the further £2,500 upon Chartership) plus other benefits including flexible annual leave, discounted mobile phone contracts, pension scheme, share incentive plan, and sports and social events.
Launch yourself into some of the world’s most exciting engineering projects with a career in Atkins’ team at careers.atkinsglobal.com/uk/graduates Our summer and industrial placements are also now open! For more updates follow us on Twitter @Atkinsgraduates
2015 @Atkins Graduates
WSAtkinsplc 19
‘I am certain that the carefully thought out college and study leave timings by PQT in particular has been key to me passing my first 3 exams. If someone like me can do it, I’m sure any potential Audit graduates who make it through the
KPMG
tough KPMG recruitment process can too!’ Daniel Lou, Graduate Trainee.
company profile
KPMG is unique in its approach to training. We believe that the success of our business rests with the quality and the expertise of our people and so effective training is absolutely central to our business. We promote an excellence culture and recognises how much work is involved in successfully passing exams that’s why we have a full time dedicated Professional Qualification Training (PQT) team. And as most people in the team have studied for the qualifications themselves, they understand what kind of support you’ll need to fulfil your potential. We also offer 3 different routes to achieving the ACA qualification. Intensive Programme In 2013 KPMG launched a new, innovative Intensive Programme which front-loads technical training so that you can complete all but one of the ACA examinations within 12 months of joining KPMG. During this timeframe you will also gain a Graduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance and undertake periods
of structured work experience. In the remaining two years of your training contract you can concentrate on building up a fantastic range of work experience as you will only have one exam left to complete. The three main training hubs for the Intensive Programme are London, Birmingham and Manchester. Integrated Programme The Integrated Programme is the established method of ACA training. The structure of the programme spreads the ACA examinations over the lifetime of the three year training contract so that you are able to build up your technical knowledge over time and can apply what you are learning in training to your work place experience gradually. The Integrated Programme is predominately classroom based although there are some elements of the programme which are delivered via self-study.
Independent Programme The Independent Programme has the same structure as the Integrated Programme. The only difference is the delivery method. 15% of the programme is delivered in a classroom based in Birmingham, but the remainder of the programme is delivered virtually, through a market-leading IT platform. KPMG give you generous study leave to complete these elements of the programme which combine live virtual-classrooms and recorded lectures, learning activities and online testing. This enhances your ability to study at your own pace without the hassle of commuting into a classroom every day. There are different ways to achieve the ACA qualification that can be tailored to suit the way you learn and study.
To find out more about the training and support you will receive at KPMG 20 24
click here. click here.
Economist: • The Government Economic Service is the UK’s largest recruiter of economists. • 2:1 degree or postgraduate degree in economics. (Joint or mixed degrees are eligible if weighted towards economics.) • A development programme designed to improve economic, managerial and communication skills. • Work in areas like macroeconomic modelling, competition policy, international financial issues, labour market trends. Statistician • Government Statistical Service is the UK’s largest producer of statistics, which are reported daily throughout the media. • Provide evidence to inform decisions across a wide range of political, social and economic issues.
• 2:1 degree in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Maths, Psychology, Geography etc.) • The mainstream Statistical Officer scheme is open to students with a 2:2 degree. Operational Research • Operational Research is the application of scientific methods to management problems. • Change posts or move departments every 12-18 months • 2:1 numerate degree (at least 50% numerate content) or relevant postgraduate degree Commercial • 2:1 any degree subject • You’ll take on a series of 6 and 12 month postings across a range of departments, giving you the opportunity to understand commercial activity in different contexts. • One of your postings will be in the Crown Commercial Service, tasked with driving efficiency and reform across central government, and
advising departments on complex commercial savings. • During the 4 years of the scheme you’ll also be funded to complete the 3 levels of diploma qualification run by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply
company profile
Applications are now open for the following Streams:
Civil Service
Where will you lead?
HR • Three-year programme made up of two 18 month placements in both policy/corporate and operational roles in two different departments. • Assignments include HR business partnering, organisation design and development, reward, employee relations, policy development and talent management • Full support towards achieving an MSc in HR and CIPD. • 2:2 degree in any discipline Applications close on: 7th April 2015
Follow us at www.facebook.com/faststream or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/faststreamuk All entries from the #reflectsociety campaign can be viewed at: www.reflectsociety.uk Learn more at gov.uk/faststream 21
Build Connections. Build your Career. Erin McGuire – ASPIRE Graduate Programme Barratt
company profile
“I graduated with an Architecture degree in 2008 and subsequently gained an MSc in Architectural Engineering at Heriot Watt University. I was firstly attracted to Barratt due to the ASPIRE Graduate Programme; it looked to be a promising opportunity that would allow me to work on site and gain knowledge in an exciting and challenging environment. My first year involved completing six, eight-week rotations in each core department of the business. On completion of the Graduate programme I became an Assistant Site Manager. Having selected to work on site in Construction, I had the unique experience and understanding of the build process and site environment.
With the support of Barratt, I have now transferred into the Technical department as an Architectural Assistant. I love seeing the business grow and develop, improving our product, engaging with our customers and strengthening our brand. The Company invests in its employees and their development as well as the future of the business. I feel valued as an employee, encouraged to achieve things I would not otherwise have undertaken. I’m currently studying to become a qualified Architect and I would also like to become a full member of the CIOB. This would allow me to interact with different organisations to discuss and tackle skill and training shortages in industry.
For more information: Website: www.barrattfuturetalent.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/barrattfuturetalent Twitter - @barrattgrads 22
Barratt will support and invest in you and your career. The training and experience I have gained with the company has provided me with a concrete foundation for my career and my future with the company and within the industry”.
Say yes to a graduate opportunity at M&S and you’ll open the door to almost unlimited opportunities. Regardless of your degree type, you’ll find yourself working on different placements and experiencing different roles within your business area. All while enjoying real responsibility and the chance to make an impact on everything from Retail
Management and Merchandising to Food Technology and IT. When your training ends, you’ll be ready to step into your first big M&S management role – perhaps leading a team, or running an area of the business worth millions of pounds.
company profile
Right now is an exciting time at M&S. Retail’s moving faster than ever, and so is our business. In our aim to become the world’s most successful multi-channel retailer, we’re investing in smart technology and infrastructure. We’re rejuvenating our fashion lines and maintaining our reputation for boundless customer service. We’re even setting new standards in sustainability.
M&S
M&S is looking for more than just promising graduates. We’re looking for our next generation of leaders who can drive our business forward. For people who inspire and innovate and can question what is possible. M&S means something to everyone. There’s no better place to create your legacy than at one of the UK’s most iconic brands.
Applications aren’t open until later in the year but that doesn’t mean we’re not around. If you have any questions about a career at M&S, feel free to talk with us on WhatsApp: 07834 335603.
Graduates aren’t the only ones saying yes to M&S either. We also have lots of career-boosting placements for those of you who are still studying. Either way, you’ll get to work in a fast-paced retail environment that’s as challenging as it is exciting. What’s more, you’ll enjoy continuous support from us, as we help you grow your skills and develop a bright, rewarding future.
You can also visit: marksandspencergrads.com 23
Jobmi
This month I interviewed Amy Willocks a Consulting Psychologist at Capp & Co (Jobmi’s founding organisation) who designs and delivers strengths-based interviews for the likes of Lidl, Nestlé, Microsoft Capgemini, Morrisons and Lloyds Banking Group to give us some practical tips for those of you preparing for a strengths-based interview.
company profile
What is a strengths-based interview? It’s all about understanding what energises you, motivates you, and what you do well. It feels very different to a competency interview as the questions don’t just focus on gathering evidence on your past experience, but on your preferences for particular ways of thinking, feeling and behaving in and outside of work. What questions can you expect from a strengths-based interview? So it will feel quite conversational and more relaxed than a competency interview –feedback we get is that candidates feel they can be themselves and even enjoy the interview!
in relation to a task • To provide several short examples from university, work experience or life in general Why do organisations use strengths-based interviews? Organisations use strengths-based interviews to find out how much potential you have within their organisation. It is vital for organisations today to make sure that the people they select are the right people for the right role, who will enjoy it, perform well and stay with the organisation. Strengths-based interviews let organisations see the ‘real’ candidate coming through, as pre-prepared examples are not required like in competency interviews.
So expect: • More questions at a quicker pace • Some closed questions • Chances to express how you feel
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OK, awesome so you don’t need to stress over the preparation? What are your tips on doing well? Exactly, don’t worry or waste time preparing competency answers before a strengths-based interview, as you will not use them. Instead there are a few simple things you can think about: • What your friends and family know you for - how would they describe you to a stranger? • What you enjoy doing, and what you are like at your best? • The achievements you have made and how you made them? • Activities that you do not particularly enjoy, and why? So, when the day comes for your strengths-based interview, stay calm and be yourself. Let your individuality shine through and enjoy it!