Reed's graduate scheme
We’ve been nurturing graduates into talented future leaders and helping to shape career paths for over 25 years. Reed offers a supportive environment, where careers are developed, and futures are forged.
Interested in our graduate scheme?
Click apply below and we will contact you with more information.
Your three-year journey with us
Our three-year graduate scheme offers a supportive, progressive, and diverse career path for talented graduates who share our values. Unlike many other graduate training schemes, we have three intakes a year (winter, summer, autumn), and it allows you to move to a new role within the Reed Group every 12 months, if you wish.
Why the Reed graduate scheme?
Diverse learning - experience a variety of sectors from recruitment through to finance and marketing, experience working with senior stakeholders, and contribute to our social committees and diversity and belonging groups.
Purpose driven - our purpose, improving lives through work, is central to us. We emphasise developing emerging talent, and our graduate alumni attest to our success. Join us as we invest in technology, innovate our services, and enhance our charitable and ESG initiatives.
Global reach - as a family business with global reach, the reed graduate scheme offers opportunities to develop your career and work with some extremely talented people, rotating over the three years between Reed in Partnership, Reed, and Reed.co.uk – if you wish.
Supportive environment - join a cohort of like-minded graduates, network, and attend inductions and training courses together. Enjoy various rewards and benefits, and eligibility for professional qualification sponsorships from your second year.
What you need to join us…
We’re looking for graduates with a 2:1 or above in their bachelor’s degree, or those who have studied for a postgraduate degree, with eligibility to work in the UK, full time, for the three years of the graduate scheme.
Be commercially minded and show an understanding of the recruitment industry/market
Show a desire for continual self-improvement
Be target-driven, resilient and exhibit exceptional communication skills
Geographical flexibility – location preferences will always be accounted for when arranging placements
How do you apply?
Applying for the Reed graduate scheme is straightforward. Our streamlined approach is designed to save you time and effort, allowing you to focus on showcasing your skills and experiences. This is what you can expect:
1. Complete our application form
Tell us why you have chosen to apply for the scheme and why you would be a good fit for Reed
2. Take a psychometric test
Complete our general ability assessment
3. Telephone interview
Our early talent team will call to discuss your motivations, tell you more about the roles we have available and explain what life at Reed could look like for you
4. Have a test run
If you’re going for an employment advisor role, you’ll complete a telephone role play which will give you an insight into the day-to-day job – this taster will help you make an informed decision.
5. Find your placement
We will align your preferences with the positions we have available – our team strive to place you in the right position to ensure you reach your maximum potential
6. Director interview
A face-to-face or online discussion with one of our senior leaders. They will look for you to be enthusiastic about your potential future with Reed and have a good understanding of what’s expected from our grads
Your first year with us…
For the first year of the scheme, you will take an operational role in one of the three areas of the Reed Group:
Recruitment consultant – Reed
In this role, based out of one of our offices across the UK, you will meet qualified and motivated candidates and match them with vacancies that our clients need filled. With uncapped bonus potential, this position is ideal role for those that are result driven.
Employment adviser – Reed in Partnership
Our employment advisers support people with difficult circumstances get back into work. From low confidence to physical disabilities, this role will equip you to help people in the local community and improve their lives through work. This role is perfect for those with moral and empathetic motivations and is positions are available across the UK.
Continuing on the scheme...
Loving the training scheme? Stay on and work your way up to management through our career development framework which rewards those who deliver on targets. You’ll also be given management training to help you make the transition into senior roles.
Want to try something different? If so, you have the option to move to another department or company in the Reed Group. We have positions available in marketing, finance, IT, HR, and range of project roles. Please note, most of these roles are in our headquarters in London or Northampton.
£24,000-£27,500 starting salary (depending on role and location)
Access to a senior mentor - a senior manager who will provide career direction as required - in your second year
Paired with a graduate buddy - a current graduate or alumni who will provide support and ensure you are on track
Ongoing support from the early talent team
Flexible career routes and fast-track routes to management
Three-day induction at the Reed Business School, in the Cotswolds
Industry-leading job training from our dedicated learning & development teams
Professional qualification sponsorship from year two (e.g. CIPD, CIM, Prince2, Harvard HBXCore)
Get ready to work - From digital work experience to mock interviews
Calling all students…
If you want to know how to get into your dream job or career once you've finished school, college or university, this course is for you.
Gateway to Work is a free digital careers programme that gives you all the tools you need to smoothly transition from education to the workplace, even if you're not sure what you want to do yet.
Through five engaging modules, inspired by the Gatsby benchmarks, you’ll go on a journey of self-discovery where you’ll learn all about the labour market, improve your employability skills with our digital work experience and develop a winning CV so you can find and land your first job.
Each module is jam-packed with helpful videos, engaging activities and rapid-fire quizzes to help you prepare for the world of work.
You’ll also get a chance to take part in an AI-powered job interview with Reed’s Chairman and CEO, James Reed CBE, where you’ll get feedback on how to improve your interview techniques.
So, if you want to get a head start on your career journey, and discover the potential career paths you could take, get this free course now.
Voice of Reed
Connor Pike, Business Manager
Joe Hallows, Business Development Executive (Talent Advisory)
Saveena Randhawa, Graduate Training Scheme Manager
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Culture, values and purpose
When you join Reed, you’ll be joining a company full of friendly, hardworking co-members who are always willing to support you if you need it. See what our co-members have to say.
Find your team
Across Reed’s companies we have a myriad of fantastic opportunities to accelerate your career, with roles spanning a multitude of sectors. Whether you want to develop your skills as a specialist recruitment expert, join one of our forward-thinking tech teams, or help our co-members continually develop their skills in one of our learning and development teams, we can help you take your career to the next level.