Questions & answers
- Will I have to move to take up a position?
- Will I be offered relocation assistance?
- How does the Graduate Programme work?
- What training and support will be available?
- When would I start my role?
- Where will the residential induction take place?
- What kind of place will my first role be?
- What are your minimum requirements?
- I have an international degree. Can I still apply?
- Can I apply with an HND/HNC?
- If I don’t have at least a 2:1 degree, can I still apply for a role in HR, Finance or Commercial?
- If I don’t have a 2:2 degree, can I still apply for a role in Operations?
- Can I apply with a professional qualification?
- What type of person are you looking for?
- Will I fit in with the culture of Royal Mail?
- Can I apply if I don’t have a permit to work in the UK?
- Are there any age restrictions?
- Can I apply if I have a disability?
- Do I have to be a recent graduate?
- Can I apply if I have applied to Royal Mail or the Royal Mail Graduate Programme before?
- What is the closing date for applications?
- What are the key stages of the recruitment process for a role in Commercial, HR and Finance?
- What are the key stages of the recruitment process for a role in Operations and Logistics?
- How will I be notified of my performance results at each stage?
- Will travel expenses be reimbursed?
- How do I contact the graduate recruitment team for more information?
- Where can I find out more about Royal Mail?
1. Will I have to move to take up a position?
Yes. All programmes need you to move at some point to give you the broadest learning experience. Once you have completed the programme, you can apply for roles in your chosen location.
2. Will I be offered relocation assistance?
A £500 taxable one-off payment will be offered to support your relocation.
3. How does the Graduate Programme work?
The programme begins with a residential induction that will give you ample opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills you need to get started.
After the induction period, you will begin the first of your roles that will expose you to different aspects of the business area you have chosen. The lengths of the programmes are flexible and will vary according to your individual aspirations and capability: it is your responsibility to use what you learn to progress your career. Typically, programmes will be between 12 and 36 months long.
4. What training and support will be available?
- A business leader who will act as your personal mentor,
- A previous graduate entrant will be assigned as your ‘buddy’,
- Various Graduate Development opportunities including collaborative workshops and development events.
5. When would I start my role?
All graduate programmes will start in September 2010.
6. Where will the residential induction take place?
The induction takes place at our Management Centre in Rugby.
7. What kind of place will my first role be?
You will be based either in an office or an operational environment (e.g. mail centre or delivery office), depending on which stream you have applied for.
8. What are your minimum requirements?
The following offers some guidance on the minimum requirements we expect from applicants to our Graduate Programme:
Operations
- A 2:2 degree or above.
- Previous work experience since graduating, or significant part-time work/industrial placement while a student.
Commercial/Human Resources/Finance
- 2:1 degree or above, any discipline.
- All programmes require the right to work in the UK for a minimum of 3 years from the programme start date.
9. I have an international degree. Can I still apply?
Yes.
10. Can I apply with an HND/HNC?
No, you must have a degree.
11. If I don’t have at least a 2:1 degree, can I still apply for a role in HR, Finance or Commercial?
No. You must meet the minimum degree requirements in either a BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) programme.
12. If I don’t have a 2:2 degree, can I still apply for a role in Operations or Logistics?
No. You must meet the minimum degree requirements in either a BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) programme.
13. Can I apply with a professional qualification?
Yes, as long as you also have a degree.
14. What type of person are you looking for?
During the recruitment process, you will be expected to demonstrate the following leadership behaviours:
- creating value for customers.
- owning performance.
- taking action.
- collaborating with others to win.
- being engaged and involved.
- being supportive, innovative and challenging.
15. Will I fit in with the culture of Royal Mail?
To get a real sense of what it’s like to work for us or be part of the Graduate Programme, watch some of the interviews with recent participants featured on this website. The scenario based questions within the Operations application stage give you a chance to say how you would respond to typical situations, which is a good insight into daily life.
16. Can I apply if I don’t have a permit to work in the UK?
You must be able to demonstrate that you have the right to work in the UK upon commencement of your graduate programme.
17. Are there any age restrictions?
No.
18. Can I apply if I have a disability?
Royal Mail is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from candidates with disabilities.
19. Do I have to be a recent graduate?
No. Anyone who has graduated with the appropriate degree grades can apply, but we will need to see proof of your qualifications.
20. Can I apply if I have applied to Royal Mail or the Royal Mail Graduate Programme before?
Yes, but we cannot re-use any information gathered at previous assessments. This is because our selection criteria are constantly being reviewed and updated to meet our business’s changing needs, so past data may not be relevant now.
21. What is the closing date for applications?
Engineering Graduate Programme – 31st March 2010
Logistics Graduate Programme – 31st March 2010
Operations Graduate Programme – 31st March 2010
Commercial Graduate Programme – This scheme is now closed
Finance Graduate Programme – This scheme is now closed
Human Resources Programme – This scheme is now closed
22. What are the key stages of the recruitment process for a role in Commercial, Human Resources and Finance?
Stage 1: Online application form including competency based questions
Stage 2: Online numerical and verbal tests
Stage 3: Telephone interview
Stage 4: Royal Mail Graduate Assessment Centre
23. What are the key stages of the recruitment process for a role in Operations and Logistics?
Stage 1: Online application
Stage 2: Online numeric and verbal tests
Stage 3: Online personality profile
Stage 4: Telephone interview
Stage 5: Assessment centre
24. How will I be notified of my performance results at each stage?
You should have a response to your initial application within two to five days and will subsequently be advised by email of your results following each stage. If you have been successful, you will also be given instructions for progressing to the next stage.
25. Will travel expenses be reimbursed?
We will provide reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses to the Assessment Centre with proof of travel (e.g. travel tickets).
26. How do I contact the graduate recruitment team for more information?
Email: Graduate Recruitment graduaterecruitment@royalmail.com
27. Where can I find out more about Royal Mail?
Visit www.royalmailgroup.com
