Firms ‘want more women graduates’
EMPLOYERS are struggling to fill graduate scheme vacancies — and say more women should apply.
The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) says that 52 per cent of employers did not fill all their graduate vacancies last year.
Its earlier research found that while women are less likely to apply for graduate schemes, they are more likely to succeed than men.
Khalida Abdulrahim is on the BP commercial graduate scheme in London, and is currently working as a shipping coordinator in BP Supply & Trading.
The 23-year-old says: ‘I studied international business because I’m interested in how large multi-nationals get an idea, put it together and come up with a product or service.’
She joined BP’s graduate scheme after doing an internship with the company.
Khalida says: ‘I went to lots of interviews at banks, accountancy firms and companies. The people I met at the BP interviews stood out as friendly and down to earth, and I felt comfortable in the environment.
‘I enjoyed my internship and was given a lot of responsibility, so when I was offered the graduate job, it was a nobrainer. I love working in such a diverse company, where I learn about other people and cultures, as well as learning from their expertise.
‘The graduate programme means working in three varied roles so you learn about different business areas.’
She advises: ‘ Be yourself, so that you can see if a particular company aligns well with your values.’
Suzy Style, head of UK graduate resourcing at BP, says: ‘BP has a variety of different graduate job disciplines, from oil traders to mechanical engineers, and from procurement to HR.
‘We look for well-rounded people who have made the most of their time outside academia, who share our values and are motivated to work for BP and the role they have applied for.’
AGR chief executive Stephen Isherwood says: ‘ Many female students don’t apply for the top programmes when they should. Graduate employers really want to hire women, and these candidates are more likely to succeed.’