Graduate Select: How to Apply

Graduate Select is a unique event in that it allows you the chance to present yourself to employers before you even meet them! The details you provide on the application will be made accessible to exhibitors one week before the event, so they can check out your qualifications and read your personal statement. The better your application is, the more you will stick in the mind of the exhibitors and the more they will want to meet you on the day.

Below is some advice on how to complete some of the more tricky sections of the form:

Pre-university / University qualifications
This is the first set of details employers will see – it’s important to complete this section, even if your degree does not seem immediately relevant to the finance, consultancy and IT sectors. In the free text box, you can be specific in the course title to give as much information as possible. If you have an overseas qualification, you can still include it here.

Postgraduate qualifications
Postgraduate qualifications can be a great way to set you aside from other candidates; even if your qualification is not in a subject that seems immediately relevant to finance, consultancy & IT, ensure you mention it here! It can show you have particular skills and strengths.

Internships
Again, this section is great in terms of showing yourself off – any time you have spent in a relevant position or firm, no matter how short, can demonstrate your enthusiasm for pursuing a career in finance, consultancy or IT. Feel free to include as much detail as possible – it can only improve your chances!

Work experience
Although relevant work experience is a bonus, any skills that you can draw out of other work you have undertaken in the past can help to enhance your application. Professional experience shows you have soft skills such as communication, time-management and responsibility.

Personal statement
This is the most important part of the form! This allows you the opportunity to really demonstrate why you are a good candidate for a career in finance, consultancy or IT. You should try to keep this section relevant to the event application; do NOT just cut and paste from another job application or covering letter – it really shows! Here you should explain why the personal qualities and experience you have previously listed mean you are suited to a career in these competitive sectors. You can also demonstrate how and why you are passionate and interested in these lines of work.

Remember – employers will see all the information you put on your application form before the event, and can access it during the event, so be positive, enthusiastic and honest!