People Bagging Multiple Spring Weeks
I’m a STEM student at a top UK target. Still waiting to hear back from a lot of springs, but have been rejected from a lot too (pre-interview).
Browsing LinkedIn, I have found a lot of students (mainly Econ / Accounting / Finance at targets) who have successfully bagged 3 top spring programmes already (EBs mainly). A lot of these individuals are grammar/private school educated, white and male (obviously could be LGTBQ, but point is, pretty non-diversity - only mentioning because I know springs are generally very supportive of diverse applicants, meaning these guys MUST be very good).
I was under the impression that Springs were mostly a crapshoot with so many applicants for so little spots.
Clearly these individuals are doing something right, but comparing to the general population I struggle to see how they can stand out.
Just comparing to my personal situation, I have a good CV and CL (supported by this forum and a mentor) and normally ace the tests comfortably (according to the feedback on the few I have got feedback for), meaning it must be the HireVue letting me down (if not luck). I didn’t even think HireVue’s were reviewed by a human, meaning pretty much if you make eye contact, smile and be a normal human being (and have non-drone answers) you would pass. Clearly I fucked up somewhere here for some (still got some interviews thankfully), but I’m wondering if there is something I have missed that is important I can look at improving before SA recruiting next year.
For bonus context I am a straight white male from a low socioeconomic background and non-selective state school, so I think I’m technically ‘diversity’ (whatever that means). With regards to my ‘profile’ and CV, I would say it’s strong except from my lack of languages (I speak a little Spanish, but not enough to be considered ‘working proficiency’).
Thank you.
What you see on LinkedIn will likely not be a representation of what is actually seen on the spring week. A lot of SW, SA and grad programmes are 50/50 male to female. Regarding other diversity characteristics, that’ll vary from firm to firm as they place varying levels of importance on this and may have separate programmes specifically catered to that characteristic.
For you personally, it’ll be hard to critique what you can improve upon given we can’t see your HireVue recordings or actual CV. What if you your answered the questions poorly? Poor in terms of content? Poor in terms that you used 0 structure? What if you could have had other work experience down, e.g., volunteering, your uni’s finance society, that could have made your CV more appealing? Does the firm know you? Did you network enough? If so, did you make a good impression? And if so to that, what about referrals? Could you have applied earlier?
^ All those questions are hypothetical and a non-exhaustive list. But as someone who bagged multiple internships years ago and is on the other side of the table, you’d be surprised at how many low quality applications are sent out but there’s still a huge high quality pile. And you as an applicant, have to make sure no stone is left unturned and that you can’t give the firm any reason to reject you, except luck. That brings me onto my next point…
This is a big numbers game. The ratio between # of applicants vs. # of places on offer get crazier every year. People are more strategic in how they apply, there’s also a wealth of info out there on how to interview / apply well, etc. You also have more of those “application trackers” and the current hiring environment isn’t too great in general, as well as firms cancelling or delaying programme starts, CS being acquired, and more, it just makes the game way more competitive and luck playing a bigger role than the year before.
Assuming you don’t get anything this year, it’s your job between now and until you get a SA offer to ensure you don’t give firms any reason to reject you. Network hard (and well!), get referrals, perfect your cv and work experience, your motivational / behavioural and technical answers, and be applying as early as possible. Yeah, it might be annoying seeing those that you may consider less deserving getting offers. But that’s your opportunity to catch-up with them and ask them for advice too.
Good luck OP!
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