British Sugar

Competences and qualifications

Specific schemes have different technical requirements dotted between them, generally based upon degree (as detailed below). However, the fundamental requirements that every graduate applicant should have are:

• A 2.1 minimum (attained or expected)
• Self-motivation, but also the ability to motivate others
• A ‘can-do’ attitude (approaching things from a positive and/or analytical mind-set)
• Willingness to take early responsibility - most of the schemes will involve managerial responsibilities sooner rather than later

Degree disciplines

In general, most of the schemes seek a relevant degree subject:

• Agriculture: business, agriculture or any biological or environmental science.
• Business and procurement: any degree is acceptable, although coming from a finance or business based background may prove advantageous.
• Engineering scheme: electrical, mechanical, mechatronic, process or chemical engineering, or chemistry.
• Finance: any degree is acceptable.
• Science: chemistry, applied chemistry or biochemistry.

Application tips

The British Sugar graduate recruitment process involves a number of stages:

• Online application
• Telephone screening session
• Telephone interview
• Assessment centre

Although not listed officially as part of the assessment process, reports do indicate that some schemes, such as Finance, include psychometric testing following completion of the application form.

Completing the online application

The majority of the initial online form is simply a case of filling in personal details, including schooling and work experience. There are also areas to include relevant further skills such as IT.

There are four more detailed questions to answer. Each is a maximum of 500 words in length:

1. Why do you want to work for British Sugar, and why did you choose this graduate scheme in particular?
2. What do you consider your most significant achievement other than academic results? This should be something which you personally decided to do and worked hard to achieve – describe why you see the achievement as significant and any obstacles you had to overcome.
3. Describe a time when you managed a group of people in order to influence an important outcome at uni, work, or in your social life.
4. Give an example of when you successfully promoted an idea on behalf of yourself or others. How did you influence your target audience?

Interviews explained

Applicants who successfully pass the online application stage will receive two phones calls. Not to be confused with one another, the first is a screening session, while the second is a more detailed competency interview.

Telephone screening

The first phonecall, the screening session, is not designed as an interview as such, but more of an opportunity to discuss the application process. It may include a few motivation questions such as:

• Why British Sugar?
• Why did you choose this particular scheme?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?

Telephone interview

The second phone call, at a later date, will be a competency-based interview. This a more detailed analysis of candidates to ensure the top candidates are forwarded to assessment centres.

Assessments and tests

Assessment centres tend to run sometime between February and April. British Sugar says that they can include any of the following:

• Behavioural/competency based/technical interviews
• Group exercises
• Written exercise
• Presentation
• Role Play

Candidates will generally be one of 11 or 12 attendees at the assessment centre; however, reports suggest that these numbers could vary slightly, with perhaps as few as 9 attendees. Whatever the number, the candidates will all take a factory tour together.