Applying for graduate schemes: tips from the experts

Always be yourself at assessment centres

Victoria Matthews, careers adviser with the National Careers Service: People can often feel quite intimidated by assessment centres and in particular feel that they have to vie for the attention of the assessors. Bear in mind that assessors will be looking for a range of different competencies, so it's not about who talks loudest.

James Crichon, business development manager at talent management and assessment specialists, a&dc: Although assessment centres can feel intimidating keep in mind that they aren't trying to trip you up. Assessment centres are designed to let you demonstrate the competencies and motivation that the company wants. Make sure you show why you want to work for that organisation specifically – avoid generic or industry-wide answers.

Helen Stringer, careers services manager at the University of Warwick: Make sure you contribute, but don't dominate any group discussion or presentations. And don't let other candidates out-psych you or draw you into silly mind games – focus on your own performance.

How can I stand out as an international applicant?

Dan Hawes, co-founder and head of marketing at the Graduate Recruitment Bureau: Make sure your job applications are relevant. To have a much stronger chance of getting noticed, research the employer and know the job inside out.

Victoria Matthews: In an ideal world being able to demonstrate that you're a fully-rounded candidate, through work experience and extra-curricular activities, is helpful. If these things are lacking, however, tailoring each individual application to the employer in question is advisable.

You're never too old to apply

Katie Purser, recruitment director for Frontline: Graduate schemes often have a blend of different graduates of different ages. It can be hard to start at the bottom when you have other life experiences, but if you are prepared to work hard and get on with it, you'll move through the scheme quickly.

Mildred Talabi is the founder of CV Makeover Expert.com: You can use your age as a unique selling point to help you stand out. If you decide to do this, be very direct and open about this on your cover letter. If not, you can look for alternative routes to graduate schemes, by working for an SME, for example.

There are plenty of opportunities if you graduated with a 2:2

Helen Stringer: There are still grad recruiters who accept candidates with a 2:2 – the Fast Stream is a good example. Your time may be well spent developing your work experience portfolio, rather than attempting a masters, unless you want to change career direction and need to consolidate your knowledge of a new field.

It's always worth checking what the long-term career prospects are

Kate Purser: Most companies have graduate schemes to develop a strong future workforce; they keep their graduates on, and move them into a specific department or role where they have shown strong potential. There are some schemes which don't do this so it's worth checking what the longer-term career prospects are.

Rob Taffinder, senior resourcing manager at Nationwide Building Society: The vast majority of our graduates go on to take up permanent roles. But be under no illusion – graduates must consistently demonstrate that they have the right attitude and aptitude.

Mildred Talabi: If you really really impress while on your scheme, most employers will find a way to hire you – if not straight away, then at a later date when they have a suitable vacancy and/or the budget for new staff.

Stand out from the crowd

Helen Stringer: Too often applications read like a shopping list, and it's left to the employer to infer how/where this candidate might fit in their organisation. They simply haven't got time to do this so it's important to try and do it for them.

Grad schemes are not the be all and end all

Mildred Talabi: Grad schemes are absolutely brilliant if you can get them, but there are alternative ways to starting your career with many of the same perks.

Helen Stringer: I think there is often a perception that a grad scheme gives you status. In many ways it's also the path of least resistance. But they only represent a percentage of opportunities, not the totality.

Rob Taffinder: If you are a passionate graduate looking to specialise in a specific area then most graduate schemes will not be appropriate for you. You'd be better offer contacting a range of employers whose brand/business activities are relevant to you and talk to them about opportunities for graduates. The salaries might be lower initially with less structured training, but you will stand a better opportunity in my experience of progressing quicker outside of a specific scheme.

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