Minimum 2:1 required
Discussion
Have you tried contacting people directly in the companies? (as opposed to going through HR and the Graduate schemes)
I left school in 4th year, couldn't even get into uni!I got into the company I currently work for by contacting the Comercial Director directly and having a quick chat with him over the phone, arranged a lunch meeting, handed over my cv....6 weeks later I was working for the company!
As said previously, there are thousands of Graduates with 1st's & 2nd's....but getting a good result at uni is completely different than getting results in the work place.
So if your having no luck with the graduate schemes...try a different approach...use your initiative...if you come across as super keen and a hard worker, then someone will take you on.
I left school in 4th year, couldn't even get into uni!I got into the company I currently work for by contacting the Comercial Director directly and having a quick chat with him over the phone, arranged a lunch meeting, handed over my cv....6 weeks later I was working for the company!
As said previously, there are thousands of Graduates with 1st's & 2nd's....but getting a good result at uni is completely different than getting results in the work place.
So if your having no luck with the graduate schemes...try a different approach...use your initiative...if you come across as super keen and a hard worker, then someone will take you on.
ChrisMCoupe said:
Just to add my 2p...
I got a 2:2, no one else to blame apart from myself. I am bright, could do the work, but found all too often that sport and the compulsory boozing that went with it meant that a few marks slipped away. I graduated in 2004 from a top university, and at that time a 2:2 still meant you were filtered out of many graduate schemes.
It was slightly disheartening, but I've always been the type of person to land on my feet and a positive outgoing attitude landed me a good grad role as an IT programmer for a fairly well known consultancy. Fast-forward 2 years and this consulantacy had a requirement for developers at a top teir Investment Bank. Having built up a good rapport with the guys there, I made sure I landed the role. Haven't looked back since, been contracting in multiple banks now for the last 5 years and doing very well for myself. It's slightly ironic that I'm now working for the same banks that would have filtered me out of their grad schemes at a much higher level than any grads of a similar age to myself.
Sounds very similar to my experience;I got a 2:2, no one else to blame apart from myself. I am bright, could do the work, but found all too often that sport and the compulsory boozing that went with it meant that a few marks slipped away. I graduated in 2004 from a top university, and at that time a 2:2 still meant you were filtered out of many graduate schemes.
It was slightly disheartening, but I've always been the type of person to land on my feet and a positive outgoing attitude landed me a good grad role as an IT programmer for a fairly well known consultancy. Fast-forward 2 years and this consulantacy had a requirement for developers at a top teir Investment Bank. Having built up a good rapport with the guys there, I made sure I landed the role. Haven't looked back since, been contracting in multiple banks now for the last 5 years and doing very well for myself. It's slightly ironic that I'm now working for the same banks that would have filtered me out of their grad schemes at a much higher level than any grads of a similar age to myself.
Edited by ChrisMCoupe on Thursday 29th September 10:59
- very lazy at uni, got a 2:2
- no big companies were interested in me, so worked for several small companies getting experience
- now contracting for an investment bank in London
The moral of the story is - do some work at uni, but if you f
k-up then work hard and reap the rewards a few years down the line.Otispunkmeyer said:
Lardydah said:
Aim for smaller companies - I graduated last summer with a 2:2 and didn't get allowed onto the graduate scheme I was accepted for (no complaints from me in that respect). This was at the end of June, and by November I was working for a small specialised technology consultancy in London.
I've been thrown in at the deep end and have learnt an absolute ton - not in the same fashion you would learn from a big blue chip (I gather it is a lot more strucutred and formal from what my mates on grad schemes say) and got involved in almost every function of the business bar finance.
A smaller company will most probably get less applicants and not have the 'tick the boxes' approach to applications.
Agree with thisI've been thrown in at the deep end and have learnt an absolute ton - not in the same fashion you would learn from a big blue chip (I gather it is a lot more strucutred and formal from what my mates on grad schemes say) and got involved in almost every function of the business bar finance.
A smaller company will most probably get less applicants and not have the 'tick the boxes' approach to applications.
Also you may even get interviewed by the boss man himself if the company is small enough. The small outfit I know of would more than willingly look past the degree number, but would ask you to come in for a decent length informal chat and ask you to bring some examples of work with you to discuss.
Big companies cannot do such things because of the sheer numbers of applicants and or busy HR people who must not spend inordinate amounts of time trying to find people to hire. Its only part of their job.
Also, think laterally - let's say you wanted to get into the defence industry (although perhaps not at the moment) I would forget about BAE Systems and Rolls Royce as they are going to have their recruitment processes fairly tight, and as has been pointed out, you're falling very early in the race.
Much better to look at the broader view, maybe their partners, JV's or key suppliers. That way you're building up great industry-relevant experience and getting closer to your goal. After the first few years you'll fit into the 'experienced hire' bracket and your formal qualifications will matter less.
Viperzs said:
I was, however, also let down in other areas, mainly the dissertation. I resat this to improve my grade however the final mark was capped at 40, getting rid of any chance of a 2:1.
Why would you re-sit voluntarily to 'improve your grade' if you knew it would be capped at 40%? - as far as I know all universities cap re-sits at 40% and you can only do them if you fail something....
vescaegg said:
Why would you re-sit voluntarily to 'improve your grade' if you knew it would be capped at 40%? - as far as I know all universities cap re-sits at 40% and you can only do them if you fail something....
Because resitting the dissertation gave me my 2:2. Fialing the dissertation took me down to a 3rd because that's how much weight it carried :/Well I work for a footise company and I got involved in the grad recruitment this year. I would certainly not think of restricting to top half grads only. We did on-line assessment first, which removed a lot. Then we did telephone interviews which ruled about another 60%. I spoke to several people who hardly seemed able to talk on the phone at all, let alone have sensible answers - and this included first class honours grads including an oxbridge one. Others were clearly well prepared and sailed through this section. Finally we had an assessment day and got offers out to some quality candidates.
But of course a quality candidate to one company isn't necessarily the same for another. I guess some companies think only academics can fit their needs.
But of course a quality candidate to one company isn't necessarily the same for another. I guess some companies think only academics can fit their needs.
Viperzs said:
Because resitting the dissertation gave me my 2:2. Fialing the dissertation took me down to a 3rd because that's how much weight it carried :/
So you failed first time which would have meant a re-sit presumably, and all re-sits are capped at 40%, so how did the re-sit improve your grade? Surely you would'nt have gotten a 3rd if you failed your dissertation and didnt re-sit, do you not have to pass each module individually?Not trying to be smart actually curious.
eyebeebe said:
I assume that is supposed to be ironic?
I assume you're referring to the Northumbria/London Met comment?I checked the league tables before I commented so I wasn't just making assumptions.
vescaegg said:
So you failed first time which would have meant a re-sit presumably, and all re-sits are capped at 40%, so how did the re-sit improve your grade? Surely you would'nt have gotten a 3rd if you failed your dissertation and didnt re-sit, do you not have to pass each module individually?
Not trying to be smart actually curious.
Well that's what I had thought at the time so was surprised when I could still graduate with a 3rd class Honours.Not trying to be smart actually curious.
Had I not failed the dissertation and got a good mark on it (50+ I thnk) then I think I would have had a 2:1 (I don't remember fully, it was over a year ago now). Failing it took me down to a 3rd and my capped resit brought me back to a 2:2.
I hope that makes sense to you
How on earth do you fail a dissertation 
, I can see how you'd get a low grade, but a fail? It was presumably a marketing topic, so you select a topic, have it approved then get on and write the dissertation. There are shed loads of books around on writing dissertations, did you not read any of them?
To echo what other's have said, you need to retune your mind and stop the bullstting about why you got a 2:2 - you come across as making excuses and blaming everyone else - I'd boot you out on interview on that alone. I want people prepared to take responsibility for their own actions and that I can trust and that's not how you are projecting yourself.
, I can see how you'd get a low grade, but a fail? It was presumably a marketing topic, so you select a topic, have it approved then get on and write the dissertation. There are shed loads of books around on writing dissertations, did you not read any of them? To echo what other's have said, you need to retune your mind and stop the bulls
tting about why you got a 2:2 - you come across as making excuses and blaming everyone else - I'd boot you out on interview on that alone. I want people prepared to take responsibility for their own actions and that I can trust and that's not how you are projecting yourself. Viperzs said:
eyebeebe said:
I assume that is supposed to be ironic?
I assume you're referring to the Northumbria/London Met comment?I checked the league tables before I commented so I wasn't just making assumptions.
This was the late 90s but a 3rd from a top uni didn't stop you landing a job with a blue chip. I know more than a few students in my year at L.S.E. who got onto IB graduate programmes with a 3rd .. whilst i struggled to get anywhere with my 2:1 (which only 1 out of 12 students managed to achieve) 
koolchris99 said:
it's the sane with fking UCAS points, alot of the grad schemes want 340 or 360 points which is AAB or AAA at alevel.. not sure why they give a stbwhat I did when I was 17 compared to 24 but as said it's just a way of getting rid of applicants.
It's a more opaque and more acceptable way of saying that you have to have gone to a 'proper' university.king UCAS points, alot of the grad schemes want 340 or 360 points which is AAB or AAA at alevel.. not sure why they give a stbwhat I did when I was 17 compared to 24 but as said it's just a way of getting rid of applicants. Viperzs said:
Morning everyone!
I'm looking at a load of graduate schemes (mainly marketing) to apply to and a lot of them state a minimum of a 2:1. Now, I got a 2:2...
firstly, if I applied for some of these jobs, e.g Nissan Marketing Scheme. Would they turn me down instantly or would they still consider me, especially if I attached a cover letter as well? My CV does not state the level of degree I have, however it does still state 'BA Hons Business with Marketing'
Well, if I were doing the sift and I saw your application I wouldn't think "Wow! I know we asked for a 2:1 minimum but here's someone thinking outside of the box. Maybe our box is wrong! We need this no-doubt sexy maverick to come in and show us the error of our ways. All hail our new guru!!"..... I'd be more likely to think "Oh look, another pillock who can't follow a simple instruction. Circular file. Next" I'm looking at a load of graduate schemes (mainly marketing) to apply to and a lot of them state a minimum of a 2:1. Now, I got a 2:2...
firstly, if I applied for some of these jobs, e.g Nissan Marketing Scheme. Would they turn me down instantly or would they still consider me, especially if I attached a cover letter as well? My CV does not state the level of degree I have, however it does still state 'BA Hons Business with Marketing'
Piglet said:
How on earth do you fail a dissertation , I can see how you'd get a low grade, but a fail? It was presumably a marketing topic, so you select a topic, have it approved then get on and write the dissertation. There are shed loads of books around on writing dissertations, did you not read any of them?
To echo what other's have said, you need to retune your mind and stop the bullstting about why you got a 2:2 - you come across as making excuses and blaming everyone else - I'd boot you out on interview on that alone. I want people prepared to take responsibility for their own actions and that I can trust and that's not how you are projecting yourself.
Firstly, I'm not bulls, I can see how you'd get a low grade, but a fail? It was presumably a marketing topic, so you select a topic, have it approved then get on and write the dissertation. There are shed loads of books around on writing dissertations, did you not read any of them? To echo what other's have said, you need to retune your mind and stop the bulls
tting about why you got a 2:2 - you come across as making excuses and blaming everyone else - I'd boot you out on interview on that alone. I want people prepared to take responsibility for their own actions and that I can trust and that's not how you are projecting yourself. tting. I didn't come on here to explain to everyone the reasons for my degree classification. If you have a look I never started out by saying the ins and outs of why I didn't get my 2:1. I merely answered questions. Also if you were to read it all you would also notice that I have said there is no way I would come across like that in an interview. Interviews are for positive talking to sell yourself not to flag up negative points.Secondly, I got a low grade. The low grade was too low, so I therefore failed. As in, I did not pass. The pass mark was 40. I did not get 40. Understand?
I would explain the reasons but you will just say I'm bulls
tting and making excuses so I won't waste my time.Also the dissertation was on Consumer Behaviour in the UK New Car Market.
bigandclever said:
Well, if I were doing the sift and I saw your application I wouldn't think "Wow! I know we asked for a 2:1 minimum but here's someone thinking outside of the box. Maybe our box is wrong! We need this no-doubt sexy maverick to come in and show us the error of our ways. All hail our new guru!!"..... I'd be more likely to think "Oh look, another pillock who can't follow a simple instruction. Circular file. Next"
Thanks, that's partly what I was expecting to happen if I were to do something like that The trouble is if you genuinely believe you've been hard done by and your 2:2 wasn't your fault that will come across at interview. You can't just "sell" yourself and be in any way sincere, interviewers have seen it all before many times over.
As others have said, if you apply for big schemes you'll just get filtered out if you don't meet the requirements. You need to look at small companies and makd personal contacts to try to get that first way in.
What work experience have you gained since you finished your degree last year?
As others have said, if you apply for big schemes you'll just get filtered out if you don't meet the requirements. You need to look at small companies and makd personal contacts to try to get that first way in.
What work experience have you gained since you finished your degree last year?
Piglet said:
The trouble is if you genuinely believe you've been hard done by and your 2:2 wasn't your fault that will come across at interview. You can't just "sell" yourself and be in any way sincere, interviewers have seen it all before many times over.
As others have said, if you apply for big schemes you'll just get filtered out if you don't meet the requirements. You need to look at small companies and makd personal contacts to try to get that first way in.
What work experience have you gained since you finished your degree last year?
I have been at a designer bathroom manufacturer and distributor. Started off in their marketing department as work experience but I'm working in the Sales Office now, dealing with National companies daily. I mainly deal with The Grafton Group branches As others have said, if you apply for big schemes you'll just get filtered out if you don't meet the requirements. You need to look at small companies and makd personal contacts to try to get that first way in.
What work experience have you gained since you finished your degree last year?
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