Top tips when applying to a graduate scheme

We know that as a graduate, you’ve probably spent hours trawling the internet trying to gather the best pieces of advice to smash your graduate applications. It’s a bit of an information overload, right? Well, don’t worry - we’ve whittled this information down into 3 key top tips for you to take away and to help you really stand out when applying to grad schemes! So, let’s get down to it…

1.     Research the role and the company

This one’s right at the top of the list – for a very good reason! It might seem obvious, but it can be overlooked when applying to a range of different graduate jobs. Researching the company shows recruiters that you’re expressing a genuine interest to secure the role and that you’re in it for the long haul!

Top tip: have an in-depth look at the company website, the careers pages, and give social media accounts a stalk! It’s a great way to get an idea of what the company’s culture, values and benefits are, and to see what they get up to! Think about how any information you do find can be applied in your CV, interviews, and assessments. Don't forget, the recruitment process is also your opportunity to learn more about the organisation and find out if it's the right place for you!

2.     A top-notch CV – show us your transferable skills!

We know you have a wealth of knowledge relating to your studies - but referencing every single module you studied might not capture the recruiter’s attention. Instead, a recruiter wants to see what skills you gained whilst studying and if they can be transferred to the graduate job you’ve applied for.

Top tip: tailor your CV to the company you apply for. You can start by finding out what skills are required for the graduate role. This may be in the job advert itself or within the job description – have a dig around! The most important step is to reference areas of your studies where you acquired these desirable skills and what steps you took to get there. Want to find out more about what makes a great CV? Check out our top tips for writing your CV!

3.     Yep, it’s cliché, but - be yourself and enjoy the process

We know the graduate application process might seem overwhelming, and you might question: why are there so many stages?! The aim is to not make your life a living nightmare of endless assessments, even though it may seem like it! Instead, companies want to take the time to get to understand not only what skills you have, but what you’re like as a person. We’re all human after all!

Top tip: be confident and showcase your personality – it’s not only skills that secure a graduate job, but also who you are as a person. So, let that personality shine through! Also, the various stages of the application process are not there to catch you out – it’s a fab opportunity for recruiters to get to know you properly!

Looking to apply to a graduate scheme?

Well, you’re in the right place! Now you’re all clued up on how to smash a graduate application, you’ll be more than ready to apply to one of our graduate schemes here at Mitchells & Butlers. Check out our graduate careers page to see the graduate schemes that we offer & go ahead and apply – there’s no time like the present! If you're still at Uni and you're not quite ready to apply, check out why a pub job is actually the best Uni job about.