Ask A Graduate Recruiter Anything!

[Helena]

Hi Jessica
Not sure if you saw my question which may have got lost among others. Forgive the repetition.

If you get a VS offer, what is your advice on adding this in the supplementary information section of submitted applications to other firms? Is it something you should do?

Thank you

 

[Olivia99]

Hi Jessica,

Just looking for some advice. I have been lucky enough to be offered two vac schemes but the dates sadly clash. I know these are the only dates they run. Was wondering how to go about declining one? I’ve found it hard to pick between both firms. Do I just apologise and say there is a clash or is it possible to be transferred straight to the TC application? Thanks

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica
Not sure if you saw my question which may have got lost among others. Forgive the repetition.

If you get a VS offer, what is your advice on adding this in the supplementary information section of submitted applications to other firms? Is it something you should do?

Thank you

no - I wouldn’t ask for it to be added to a submitted form. Nor because of what it is, but because there would then be an endless list of things people would want added to forms

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica,

Just looking for some advice. I have been lucky enough to be offered two vac schemes but the dates sadly clash. I know these are the only dates they run. Was wondering how to go about declining one? I’ve found it hard to pick between both firms. Do I just apologise and say there is a clash or is it possible to be transferred straight to the TC application? Thanks

They aren’t mutually exclusive - do both.

 

[Helena]

no - I wouldn’t ask for it to be added to a submitted form. Nor because of what it is, but because there would then be an endless list of things people would want added to forms

Thank you. Is there ever any advantage in another firm knowing you have a VS?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you. Is there ever any advantage in another firm knowing you have a VS?

depends on the VS.

there’s disadvantages too though.

Unless you can update the app yourself, don’t ask for the app to be updated by someone else or for additional information to be added to it/considered.

 

[Ratish S]

depends on the VS.

there’s disadvantages too though.

Unless you can update the app yourself, don’t ask for the app to be updated by someone else or for additional information to be added to it/considered.

Could you elaborate on the possible disadvantages please?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Could you elaborate on the possible disadvantages please?

Firms will wonder if they are your second best option (or worse)

They could question your motives or cultural fit if the firm is very different

The firm might recognise they can't compete with the other firm (eg trainee salary or location)

the firm will know there is a stronger chance or you declining an offer if you have other vac schemes lined up

 

[Flk10]

Hi Jess,

I've got a bit of a dilemma- I've been offered two VSs. The dates don't clash but one of the firms has a 'networking day' a few weeks after the scheme itself as part of the TC application process.

My issue is that this day clashes with my other VS. You have to state that you are free to attend the event as part of the VS acceptance form.

Ideally I would rather do both VSs, but given that the second firm is my first choice, do I really have any other option than to turn down the first scheme?

Thanks

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jess,

I've got a bit of a dilemma- I've been offered two VSs. The dates don't clash but one of the firms has a 'networking day' a few weeks after the scheme itself as part of the TC application process.

My issue is that this day clashes with my other VS. You have to state that you are free to attend the event as part of the VS acceptance form.

Ideally I would rather do both VSs, but given that the second firm is my first choice, do I really have any other option than to turn down the first scheme?

Thanks

Have they said that by not attending the networking day, your offer is compromised?

 

[Flk10]

Have they said that by not attending the networking day, your offer is compromised?

This is the wording they used in the offer email

"For candidates who are successful following the vacation scheme, we will be holding a final networking day... As part of your acceptance, please could you also confirm that you would be available to attend the event if invited?"

 

[Jessica Booker]

This is the wording they used in the offer email

"For candidates who are successful following the vacation scheme, we will be holding a final networking day... As part of your acceptance, please could you also confirm that you would be available to attend the event if invited?"

The offer isn't subject to you attending, so just say you can't attend. It only says "if you are successful following the vacation scheme", so its only going to be for people who get TC offers post vac scheme.

I wouldn't give up another vacation scheme just because I couldn't attend a keep-warm event, that isn't even a certainty.

 

[Helena]

Firms will wonder if they are your second best option (or worse)

They could question your motives or cultural fit if the firm is very different

The firm might recognise they can't compete with the other firm (eg trainee salary or location)

the firm will know there is a stronger chance or you declining an offer if you have other vac schemes lined up

If all other apps are for direct TCs does this stance change?

 

[Jessica Booker]

If all other apps are for direct TCs does this stance change?

Then the risk they will see it as you could secure a TC before their vacation scheme even starts. There may also be a question of why not a direct TC app with them too.

 

[Changes]

HI Jess, Just completed the online tests for a VS and the test froze midway through which led to me skipping through 2 questions when it suddenly continued (there was no option to go back once the question was completed). Is it worth an email to their support team/HR?

 

[Jessica Booker]

HI Jess, Just completed the online tests for a VS and the test froze midway through which led to me skipping through 2 questions when it suddenly continued (there was no option to go back once the question was completed). Is it worth an email to their support team/HR?

Yes - email both the HR team and the support team. It is possible the support team will only reset with approval from the HR team (depends on what they can see from their end).

 

[Jessica Booker]

REMINDER

For the benefit of everyone in the forums, please can you take the following approach:

1) Most questions should be posted on the forums - feel free to tag me into threads if you want me to respond to them. Private messages should be limited to questions around personal circumstances. Any question that someone else could benefit from seeing an answer to, should be posted in the forums.

2) Please be specific in your questions as possible. The vaguer the question, the vaguer my reply will be.

3) I don't know recruitment processes for each firm, nor individual firm's policies. In relation to the above point, providing more context (e.g. the specific assessments you are expecting to encounter, the type of firm you are talking about) will give me the ability to give more tailored advice.

4) Please don't message me on LinkedIn with queries. The purpose of this forum is for everyone to collectively benefit from the advice provided on here which can't be done if questions are asked on LinkedIn. My LinkedIn is predominately used for my consultancy business for corporate employers or for individual connections I know.

 

[Jessica Booker]

In other news, I am feeling exceptionally old today...

Woke up this morning to realise one of my old Trainees is now a Partner in a US firm, another one qualified 5 years ago today, and someone I gave advice to what only seems like yesterday has recently qualified too.

 

[Changes]

Hi Jessica,

I’ve got a deadline of 05/03/2020 00:00:00 GMT. It is via launchpad. Does this mean I need to complete it by midnight on the 4th or do I have the day of the 5th?

Thanks!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica,

I’ve got a deadline of 05/03/2020 00:00:00 GMT. It is via launchpad. Does this mean I need to complete it by midnight on the 4th or do I have the day of the 5th?

Thanks!

Used to mean 23.59 on the 5th (suspect it still does now)...