A degree of haste is needed for success!
STUDENTS who leave it too late to look for a graduate job starting next year face missing out. Programmes are open now — and the best opportunities don’t stick around for long.
Gemma Brown, 21, joined the human resources (HR) graduate programme at O2 this year. She says: ‘Many graduate schemes are only open from September to December, and it’s easy to think you have plenty of time to apply. But the deadlines come round faster than you think.’
Gemma, who graduated in business management from university in Leeds this year, says: ‘I decided a big company graduate scheme would suit me and got help with my CV from the university careers office.
‘I put aside time to complete the applications, because it can be a long process. I chose the HR scheme at O2 because I’d really enjoyed the HR modules on my course.’
After an online skills test and a video interview, Gemma was called to an assessment centre in February and offered a place after that.
‘I think it helped that I just decided to be myself,’ says Gemma. ‘O2 want to see if you will naturally fit in. The interview questions were about myself, my traits and my network of friends.’
She adds: ‘ Don’t put off applying — many schemes are closed by Christmas.’
Ann Pickering, HR director at O2 says: ‘We look at personality, culture, potential and passion, shown in activities like sport, clubs and hobbies. But you must have drive and ambition.’
The O2 2018 graduate programme offers roles across finance, technology, data and analytics, relationship and vendor management, commercial strategy and digital. You can apply on a smartphone — no CV or degree classification is required except for finance roles, for which you need a 2:1 or above in any subject.
Richard Warren, jobs expert from recruiter Milkround, says: ‘Starting early is one of the best ways of maximising your odds of finding a graduate position for when you finish university.’
Still not sure about what career to follow? Richard suggests: ‘Consider an internship instead. Our research shows that 53 per cent of them lead to job offers.’
For more info visit o2careers.co.uk/earlycareers and milkround.com.