Traditional career pathways for graduates have always included the largest companies of the corporate world — the global banking institutions, big-four professional services firms and multi-national law firms.
Recently, many have embraced contemporary fields such as artificial intelligence, digital marketing and media and environmental sustainability. But despite that, the view still prevails that the best, most reliable career routes remain in traditional finance and professional services and other large companies. If you do aspire to work for a corporate giant, what can you do to maximise your chances? And can you make it if you do not have the highest levels of formal education?
The good news is, routes into top firms are definitely more flexible than a few decades ago. You might improve your chances with a stellar set of GCSEs, A-levels and a top-level degree from an acknowledged leading academic institution — but there are alternative ways in.
University is not necessarily a prerequisite, as companies hire ambitious career starters through a variety of channels. Most accountancy firms, for instance, offer both combined university and work placement programmes and apprenticeships straight from school, as do many banks and FTSE 100 institutions.
All have different approaches to screening and recruitment, but there are some shared principles that are worth considering before embarking on applications. A prospective employer will always look for a consistent and coherent narrative as to why you are applying and what your career ambitions are. If you have taken a gap year for any reason, if you have decided to change your career direction, or if you have simply made up your mind to follow a particular pathway, make sure you give a well thought-out account of what has brought you to this point. An employer does not want to feel you are drifting into their business, or that you do not really care where you work.
Jonathan Dickson, head of legal for commercial, innovation and technology at Barclays UK, says: “We want to hear that a new starter, in whom we are investing when they join us, has given real thought to what they want to do and why. I’m often surprised by how many people embark on a career without thinking this through. Ultimately, if you want to be good at something, you’ve got to enjoy it — not just be doing it for the salary or the kudos you think it gives you.”
While a top degree may not be critical, you will certainly need to be able to demonstrate the academic horsepower to stay the course in a big company, surrounded by colleagues who are themselves qualified to a high level. You may have to complete online ability tests and personality questionnaires, so do take time to prepare for these.
And think about the soft skills that are likely to impress. Whatever the technical specialism of the business, it is bound to rate highly applicants who have strong interpersonal skills, who are aware of current industry news and who are able to demonstrate effective teamwork.
Diana Breeze, group HR director at Landsec, says: “What sets apart a really interesting candidate is one who shows us they will fit into the culture and environment of our business, as these are the skills that ultimately will help someone progress.” So do your research and try to understand how that organisation distinguishes itself from its competitors and what makes it tick.
Finally, to work in a large business that may operate nationally, or even globally, be prepared for mobility. You may not wish to work beyond a ten-mile radius of Brent Cross, but it could greatly help your career if you are willing to consider this as a necessary part of your career plan.
Debbie Sheldon, CEO of Work Avenue, the community’s leading employment and business specialist, says: “The feedback we get from employers tells us that getting into a big company is all about what you can do for them and not what they can do for you. So think about what they are looking for and be ready to make compromises, or even sacrifices, in the early stages, to be considered a serious applicant.”
Emma May is director of operations and employment at Work Avenue, the employment and business start-up specialist (theworkavenue.org.uk). Work Avenue is a leading employment and business support organisation in the Jewish community, helping people, regardless of age or life stage, become financially self-sufficient by securing employment or starting a business
