Frequently asked questions
APPLICATION PROCESS
What does the application process involve?
Our application process consists of the following stages:
1. Online application form
2. Online Numerical & Verbal tests
3. Telephone interview
4. Graduate Assessment Centre
How do I submit my online application form?
Simply click on ‘search & apply’ and select the relevant degree discipline. At the bottom of this page you will find a link to apply to the job. You can submit your completed application once all sections are shown as completed on your summary page. To do this please ensure you check the ‘tick box’ and select ‘save’ at the end of each section. Once all boxes are ticked on the summary page you will be able to select the submit button which will then submit your application to the Graduate Recruitment Team.
When is your deadline for applications?
We no longer have a deadline for our 2010 graduate intake. We are currently running assessment centres and therefore filling vacancies on a weekly basis, so we would encourage you to complete your application at your earliest opportunity.
How long do I get to complete my online application?
You get 21 days to complete your online application. We will send you a reminder after 7 days and 14 days, and will automatically regret your application after 21 days have lapsed.
How many application forms can I submit?
Candidates may only complete one application form per recruitment cycle – any subsequent application forms will be identified by the system and regretted.
Is my application sifted by a member of the recruitment team or an automated system?
All completed & submitted applications are sifted by a member of the Graduate Recruitment Team.
How many business areas within Atkins can I apply to?
You can select up to 3 business areas on your application form. Your order of preference will then be probed further at Telephone Interview stage. The businesses you can select are dependant on your degree discipline and therefore the degree discipline you are applying to.
Why am I applying to a discipline not a business area?
This enables candidates to select up to 3 business areas on their application form rather than applying to one business area within Atkins. It also enables us to mange applications more efficiently and swiftly, and therefore improving your experience throughout the selection process.
If I am unsuitable for one business area, will this affect my application to another area of the company?
No – our business areas may look for different skill sets in graduates, so where one business area may reject a candidate, another may consider their experience and qualifications as suitable. However passing our Graduate Assessment Centre is required for all areas of business
How long will it typically take to complete the online application form?
It varies from candidate to candidate, depending on the length of your answers. We recommend you give your answers in full, and provide as much information as you feel is relevant. All applicants are given a login and password so you may save your answers as you go along.
What do the online tests involve?
You will be asked to complete a timed verbal & numerical test, before which you will have the opportunity to run through some practice questions to give you an idea of the sorts of questions you will get and how the tests are structured.
How long are the online tests?
You have 18 minutes to complete the Verbal test & 20 minutes to complete the Numerical test, however you will need to allow extra time to include the practice questions before each test.
What do I do if I have technical difficulties with my online tests?
You will be sent a link to your Atkins Home Page where you will be asked to complete each test, and where you will also be able to access some FAQ’s around the online tests as well as check which browsers are compatible. If you continue to have difficulties please email graduates@atkinsglobal.com detailing your technical problem and attaching a screenshot if possible.
What is the structure of the Telephone Interview?
The telephone interview generally lasts up to 30 minutes and centres on your degree(s) and your motivations for applying to Atkins and your selected preferred business areas within Atkins. This is not a technical interview.
What is the structure of the Graduate Assessment Centre?
The Graduate Assessment Centre is designed to enable us to assess certain competencies required in our successful graduates. You will be asked to complete a number of behavioural exercises as well as a technical exercise/interview specific to the business area we are assessing you for. This generally lasts for the majority of the day and refreshments and lunch are of course provided.
Can I claim for my travel expenses to the Graduate Assessment Centre?
Candidates travelling more than 1 hour each way to attend an Assessment Centre may request accommodation by emailing graduates@atkinsglobal.com and our team will make the booking, make the payment, and confirm details back to you. If you require flights to attend please email as above and we will contact you. We will refund all other reasonable travel expenses via an expense claim form provided on the day of the assessment centre.
VACANCIES AND START DATES
How many graduates do you recruit?
We are looking to recruit circa 100 graduates across the Atkins Group for the 2010 intake of our UK Graduate Development Programme.
What vacancies are available at which location?
Our graduate vacancies span across the UK. Each job (i.e. the discipline you apply to) description contains specific information on which business areas you can apply to and which locations they are recruiting into.
When will I be expected to start work?
We take on graduates throughout the year and will try our best to accommodate your needs, but this may also depend on your line manager’s requirements and the projects you will be working on. Most of our graduates start work during the summer months. If you are available to start immediately and your line manager can accommodate this, you may be able to start sooner.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
What are your entry requirements?
We generally ask for a sound technical background in a relevant degree. Requirements may vary slightly from job to job, so refer to the job description for the role you are interested in to see if you meet the requirements.
However here are some basic criteria that all candidates must meet:
- You should already have, or are about to graduate in, a relevant degree
- You should have obtained, or are predicted to obtain, a 2.1 or above (or equivalent) in a relevant degree
- Our graduate development scheme is focussed on supporting individuals through to completing the relevant professional qualifications, and offers an all-encompassing approach to developing the technical skills, knowledge and behaviours you need to achieve these qualifications. Therefore if you have already gained significant experience which counts towards gaining these qualifications you may find our experienced hire opportunities more suited to you.
NON-EEA CANDIDATES
Do you employ graduates requiring a Certificate of Sponsorship (work permit)?
Appointment of individuals requiring work permits applies in the event we have been unsuccessful in filling our roles with suitably qualified graduates already eligible to work in the UK. There are a small number of roles that have restrictions on who can be appointed, due to UK government security clearance requirements. Information on the security requirements for these roles will be listed in the job descriptions where applicable.
Do you have any international vacancies?
Our vacancies are usually based in the UK. The development programme can provide opportunities to work overseas, but this very much depends on the projects that are available at that time, the skills required on that project and how far you have developed. We cannot guarantee that there will be international projects for all graduates, as your workload will vary depending on which sector and location you select.
We have graduate opportunities in China for candidates that can fluently communicate in Mandarin. You can search for these vacancies by clicking on the ‘China’ link that appears on the left-hand side of this page. These roles are not part of the UK Graduate Development Programme. For more detailed information on our locations around the world please see click on ‘Our Locations’ in the top right corner. International graduates wanting to work in their home country should apply direct to the Atkins office there.
DISABILITY
What do I do if I have a disability or learning difference which may affect my performance during the selection process?
Candidates have the opportunity to disclose any disability or learning difference they may have on their application form and prior to completing the online tests. We will then make any appropriate arrangements for you at Interview and Assessment Centre stage should you pass through to these stages.
INDUSTRIAL/SUMMER PLACEMENTS & SPONSORSHIP
Do you offer work experience?
We offer a variety of summer and 12 month placements which are advertised online. You will need to submit your CV online in order to be considered for these positions, which are usually advertised from December onwards. Please search for these vacancies on the Apply page to the left using the keyword 'undergraduate'.
Do you offer financial sponsorship?
We are involved in various sponsorship schemes across the country, such as QUEST and ‘Year in Industry’. We also have links with certain university departments (for more information, contact your Careers Service or speak to your Head of Department).
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
What training and development will I receive?
Training and development of our graduates is very important to us at Atkins. Everyone who joins us as a graduate will follow our professional development scheme with the aim of becoming accredited with the most appropriate professional body.
There is a comprehensive portfolio of training available to enhance the knowledge, skills and outlook of all staff members. Additionally, for graduates on accredited professional development schemes, the following initiatives are in place to further enhance their capability and to assist with career progression:
- Graduate Development Event: An opportunity to learn more about the activities of the Atkins Group, to network and to further enhance skills.
- Continuing Professional Development: We are committed to provide training and experience, as required by the professional institutes, leading to qualification.
- Graduate Development Centre: Designed to highlight your strengths and areas for development. The output is an agreed development plan to maximise your individual potential.
- Developing Individuals: We provide you with access to a high quality framework of development programmes designed to develop your technical knowledge and reputation.
Will I receive any other form of support?
Throughout your career with us you will have access to a number of support mechanisms to ensure your development is on track. These include your line manager, scheme manager, mentor, graduate peers and work colleagues. Your HR contacts and our Graduate Development Team will also be there to assist you.
What about career progression?
You may choose to develop your career within your chosen business area. However it is also possible to move across into a different sector, providing you have suitable experience and we have a vacancy in that area.
Our development programme is designed to let you progress in one of three chosen fields: Business, Technical or Project Management. That’s not to say they are mutually exclusive of one another, as any career route will require you to be well-rounded in terms of your skills.
What accredited training schemes do you offer?
We offer an accredited training programme with several professional bodies. Some key ones include, RICS, ICE, IMechE, IET, IStructE, CIBSE, RAeS, IOP, CIWEM, IChemE and TPS. For information on any other training programmes please email us at graduates@atkinsglobal.com.
BENEFITS
How much holiday will I receive?
Staff are entitled to 25 days annual leave, excluding bank holidays. We operate a flexible annual leave scheme which allows you to either sell up to 5 days holiday, or buy a maximum of 15 additional day’s annual leave.
What are your salary ranges?
We offer a competitive salary as part of our overall graduate package. Our salary ranges are as follows:
- Degree: £20,000 - £24,000
- Masters: £22,000 - £26,000
- PhD: £24,000 - £28,000
The ranges are dependent upon your level of relevant work experience and degree results. A 5% regional weighting applies to roles based within the M25 perimeter. These ranges apply to graduates that have completed a degree that has been accredited with the appropriate professional body.
We also offer a £5,000 ‘Golden Hello’ to graduates on our development programme. This is paid over two instalments. The first of which (£2,500) is paid upon joining Atkins and the second is paid upon achieving your chosen qualification.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
If you have any further questions about graduate recruitment at Atkins, please email graduates@atkinsglobal.com.