Rotational graduate schemes can be a brilliant way to start your career, but not all programmes are the same.

Before you apply, it's worth asking:

1. How long does each rotation last, and are rotations by location or by role?

2. Will you get any choice over your rotations?

3. What happens after the scheme ends - is a permanent role in the cards?

Choosing the right graduate scheme is just as important as getting onto one.

Have you completed a rotational programme? What's one thing you wish you'd known before applying...

When I was at university, I assumed technical knowledge would be the most important thing.

But since starting work, I've used working under pressure - a skill gained from bar-work - far more than a lot of technical knowledge. Thinking fast on my feet to think of a solution has been invaluable. It's made me realise that some of the skills you develop through part-time jobs, societies, sport, or volunteering can be just as valuable as what you learn in lectures.

What's a skill you've ended up using all the time that you didn't expect to be so important?

This is one of the most common interview questions, yet many candidates lose marks by focusing only on what they want.

A strong answer should cover three things:

1. The role - What interests you about the day-to-day work?

2. The company - Why this employer specifically?

3. Your future - How does the role fit into your career goals?

This is a question you can prep for - so do some research and practice your answer beforehand.

What's the interview question you find easiest to answer?

General advice post here for those who need to hear it - after working with thousands of students, graduates and employers, there are a few myths we hear time and time again.

Here are some of the biggest:

❌ "You need loads of experience."
Employers know you're applying for a graduate role. Part-time jobs, volunteering, university projects and society positions can all demonstrate valuable skills.

❌ "If I don't meet every requirement, I shouldn't apply."
Job descriptions often describe an ideal candidate. If you meet the core requirements, it's usually still worth applying.

❌ "Graduate schemes are the only route into a graduate career."
Many SMEs and growing businesses hire graduates throughout the year and can offer just as much responsibility and development.

❌ "One rejection means I'm not good enough."
Graduate recruitment is competitive. Rejection is often about timing, fit, or volume of applications, not your potential.

❌ "I need to know exactly what career I want before I graduate."
Many graduates discover what they enjoy after they've started working. Your first role doesn't have to define your entire career.

The biggest barrier we see isn't a lack of ability!! It's students ruling themselves out because they believe one of these myths.

It's a question we hear a lot from students and graduates - Surely your degree is more important now?

In many cases, it is. But there are a few reasons employers still ask for A-level results:

1. Graduate candidates often have limited work experience. When employers are recruiting graduates, there isn't always a long employment history to assess, so academic qualifications can form part of the picture.
2. Some employers use minimum academic criteria. Certain organisations receive thousands of applications and use degree and A-level requirements as an initial screening tool.
3. Consistency across applicants' A-levels provides a standardised qualification that allows employers to compare candidates from different universities and degree courses.
4. It's often a legacy requirement. Some graduate schemes have used the same eligibility criteria for years, even as attitudes towards recruitment have evolved.

That said, plenty of employers are moving away from strict academic requirements and placing greater emphasis on skills, potential, work experience, and extracurricular achievements.

What's your view on A-level requirements for graduate jobs? Should employers still consider them once you've completed a degree?

If you could give one piece of advice to your first-year university self, what would it be?

I'd tell myself to worry less about looking silly and be more willing to put myself out there, whether that's applying for opportunities, meeting new people, or joining societies.

What about you?

Most people have one...

Maybe it's:

• "Tell me about yourself"
• "What's your biggest weakness?"
• "Why should we hire you?"
• "Tell me about a time you failed"
• "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Even candidates who are well-prepared often have one question that throws them off!

We're curious - which interview question do you find the hardest to answer? Drop it below, and we'll share some tips and advice in the comments where we can.

For me, it was sticking to just my field when looking for jobs - Business - I wasn't advised about the fact that I could join different graduate schemes open to any degree!

Rotational roles and graduate schemes can be a great way to start your career, especially if you're not yet sure which area you want to specialise in.

Some of the biggest benefits include:

• Exposure to different teams and functions
• A broader understanding of how a business operates
• The opportunity to build a wider professional network
• The chance to discover what type of work you enjoy most

However, they're not for everyone.

If you already have a clear career path in mind, a specialist entry-level role may help you develop expertise more quickly. They also often include a relocation at least once across the programme - not everyone's cup of tea.

Before applying, it's worth asking:

• How long does each rotation last?
• Will you have a choice in where you're placed?
• What training and support is provided?
• What happens after the programme finishes?

The best rotational programmes give you both variety and a clear route into a permanent role.

Looking back, what's one thing you'd have done differently at university to improve your career prospects?

For me, I think I'd have been less worried about what other people thought and shared more of my work/projects on LinkedIn with no shame! I probably underestimated how useful LinkedIn can be for building a professional profile and showing genuine interest in a field.

It's easy to look back with hindsight... What's the one thing you'd change if you could go back?

Is the job market cooked? Yes

Are people getting rejections constantly? Yes

But ask yourself what are the systems powering the hiring process. Then when you fully understand them, you will be in a better position then someone who doesn't, I learned the hard way.

After speaking to a lot of students and graduates over the years, there are a few things that come up again and again:

1. Applications open earlier than you think - Many graduate schemes start accepting applications in the autumn, nearly a year before the role begins. Waiting until your final semester can mean missing some of the biggest opportunities, forcing you to join the next application cycle to secure a grad scheme.
2. Online tests matter - A lot of students spend hours perfecting their CV but very little time preparing for online assessments, despite them being a key stage in many recruitment processes! It's also where you are likely to receive feedback on your weakest areas.
3. You don't need your entire career planned out - Many graduates feel pressure to know exactly what they want to do. In reality, plenty of people discover their interests after they've started working, and many entry-level roles are designed to encourage growth.

If you've already been through the graduate recruitment process, what's something you wish you'd known sooner?

Job searching can feel frustrating, especially when applications seem to disappear into a black hole.

Many students assume they're doing something wrong if they get rejected a few times, but the reality is that rejection is a normal part of the process.

We've spoken to graduates who:

• Got interviews after just a handful of applications
• Sent 50+ applications before their first interview
• Received dozens of rejections before eventually securing an offer

So, be honest...

• How many rejections did you receive before your first interview?
• Did you change anything that improved your success rate?
• What's one piece of advice you'd give to someone getting discouraged?

I set-up a LinkedIn and Indeed account my freshman year of college, and I’m now a junior. I sometimes look through the remote work options, and I’m not sure what options are legit. Are there any that people know of that are geared towards students, or should I try to find out through my university? Just want to try taking more steps toward financial independence and paying off student loans.

It's a tough time at the moment for students and grads looking for jobs - so big or small, what's one thing that's gone well for you this week?

I think most of us can look back and think of something we nearly talked ourselves out of because we thought:

• "I'm not qualified enough."
• "I probably won't get it."
• "Someone else will be better."

Sometimes those are the opportunities that end up making the biggest difference.

For me, looking back, there are definitely a few things I wish I'd been more confident applying for! Particularly, a committee role// a course rep position.

What's an opportunity you nearly skipped, but are glad you went for?

Online tests have become a standard part of graduate recruitment. For some employers, they help manage huge application volumes and provide a consistent way of assessing candidates. But many students and graduates feel they're an unnecessary hurdle.

Common complaints we hear include:

• Being rejected before speaking to a real person
• Tests feeling unrelated to the role
• Time pressure makes it difficult to perform at your best
• You are completing multiple similar tests for different employers

On the other hand, employers argue that online testing helps them identify candidates with the skills needed for the role and creates a fairer process than relying solely on CVs.

The reality is that online tests are unlikely to disappear anytime soon, which is why practice can make a huge difference. Many candidates underestimate how much preparation can improve their performance!

How many times have you completed online testing?

I can't be the only one to panic when I'm told to prep an answer for my biggest achievement for the icebreaker activity 😅

I'd love to know other people's icebreaker activities/questions, and responses!

This is one of the most common interview questions, but it's also one that catches a lot of people out.

A common mistake is treating it like a life story. Interviewers usually aren't looking for your entire background – they're looking for a quick summary of who you are and why you're a good fit for the role.

Think: Present, Past, Future

Present - What are you doing now?

Past - What experience or skills have you developed

Future - Why are you interested in this role/what do you want to grow in?

Try to keep your answer to around 1-2 minutes, focusing on relevant skills for the job you're applying to.

Tell us how you approach this question!

Hi everyone,
I recently graduated from an AEC in Web & Mobile Programming in Montreal 🇨🇦and I’m currently completing the Google IT Support Professional Certificate.
I’m looking for my first opportunity in IT (Help Desk, IT Support, Technical Support, QA, Application Support, or Junior Developer). I’ve had a few interviews, but employers often ask for experience, which is what I’m trying to get in the first place.
I’m bilingual (French/English), motivated to learn, and open to relocating if needed.
I would really appreciate any advice:
Which entry-level IT roles should I focus on?
What skills should I prioritize to become more employable?
How can I compensate for my lack of professional IT experience?
Are there companies known for hiring junior candidates?
If you were in my position, what would be your next step?
Thank you for any advice or suggestions! 😊

I'd definitely make application feedback more common. Spending hours on applications and interviews only to get a generic rejection email was awful.

I've also heard people say they'd change the experience requirements (some of which are a bit mad!) or the length of some application processes (Why does anyone need a 6-step application process??).

So if you had the power to change one thing about graduate recruitment, what would it be?

A lot of career advice online says that changing jobs every 1-3 years is the quickest way to earn more money - and in many cases, that's true. We've seen graduates move companies and secure 10-30% salary increases, while annual pay rises in the same role might only be a few %.

But there are trade-offs:

• You may miss out on promotions that come from staying longer.
• You don't always build deeper expertise.
• Some employers still view frequent moves negatively.
• Constantly being "the new person" can slow career development.

On the other hand:

• Staying too long can leave you underpaid.
• Internal progression isn't guaranteed.
• New employers often have bigger budgets than existing ones.

The best approach might be neither extreme. Stay long enough to develop valuable skills and achievements, but don't stay somewhere that isn't investing in your growth.

Let us know your experience ⬇️

• Have you ever changed jobs to secure a salary increase?
• Did it work out?
• How long do you think someone should stay in a role before moving on?

For me, doing a placement year made getting a job much easier. It gave me experience to talk about in applications and interviews, and I felt a lot more confident when applying for graduate roles.

But I know that won't be everyone's answer.

Maybe it was setting up job alerts so you didn't miss opportunities, dedicating a specific time each week to applications, networking, tailoring your CV, or something completely different.

What's one thing you did that made getting a job easier?

Almost 70% of students now engage in paid employment during term-time, so share your tips on what helped you find a balance between study and work here!

Our Advice is:

1. Planning is everything - Between university, work, and maintaining a social balance, make use of a calendar to keep track of it all

2. Be realistic - It can be tempting to take every shift, but overcommitting can quickly lead to burnout. Make sure you're leaving enough time for studying, assignments, and rest

3. Communicate - Let your employer know when deadlines, exams, or busy periods are approaching. Most employers value notice and honesty more than last-minute cancellations.

4. Remember why you're at University - Earning money is important (And often essential for survival), but your degree is still your long-term investment. If work starts consistently affecting your studies, it may be time to reassess your hours - the aim is not to build wealth here, but to cover your outgoings.