Graduate Programmes – How to apply
OK. You've studied the programme and checked you meet the entry requirements - now you're ready to apply. Remember, at each stage for each programme we'll be looking for evidence of our core behaviours:
Graduate Behaviours
It might also be useful to read the hints and tips we've prepared for you:
Strategic Vision
Taking a broad outlook and considering diverse sources of information to move things forward.
Building Capability
Through reflection and development, building the capability of you and your team.
Focus on Customer
Putting the customer at the heart of what you do, understanding their needs and helping us to remain competitive.
Team Leadership
Providing clear direction and motivational leadership to the team.
Change Leadership
Challenging the status quo and instigating change.
Share to Succeed
Building relationships between functions, overcoming potential conflicts and achieving shared objectives.
Results Orientation
Demonstrating high levels of drive and determination in analysing situations, establishing the way forward and achieving results.
Living Through AXA Values
Promoting and demonstrating the AXA values of Professionalism, Innovation, Pragmatism, Team Spirit, and Integrity
Stage One: Application
We’ll ask you to complete an online graduate application form related to the programme you’re interested in. You’ll need to answer specific questions about your interests and previous experience.
This is a vitally important part of our recruitment process and is the start of the planning for your career, so please give it the time and consideration it deserves. Don’t forget to answer every question in full!
The best approach
- Decide on the programme you want to apply for
- Read through the questions and prepare your answers offline
- When you’re happy with your responses, save them
- Submit them online, along with your personal details (see below)
Remember, we’re looking for evidence you’re right for the job, so make sure your answers are clear and concise. It may be best to start with an overview before going into detail.
When you submit your formal application, we’ll need your personal details and full information about your education and qualifications (including exam grades). If there’s any information missing, it may take longer to process your application. We’ll also ask some general questions about where you heard about the scheme and whether you have any holidays booked.
Please note: it’s fine to attach your CV, but you must still complete the application form in full.
Once you’ve completed your application form, please click submit and wait for a response from us. The screening process starts in November.
Stage Two: Online testing
If you’re successful at the first stage, we’ll ask you to complete two separate online tests to check your numerical and verbal reasoning skills. Each should last around 20 minutes and we’ll show you some sample questions before you begin. Make sure you find somewhere quiet to concentrate!
Don’t worry if you can’t answer all the questions in the time allocated. The tests are designed to stretch you in the time given, and you don’t need to complete all of the questions to achieve a positive outcome.
Stage Three: The interview
If your online testing scores are good enough, we’ll invite you for a competency-based interview.
Be prepared
Make sure you do some basic preparation for the interview and know where you’re going, who you’re meeting and when you’re expected. It’s obviously also good to do some research on AXA and the programme you’re applying for. Finally, make some notes on your skills and how you feel they could be applied to the role.
Dress smartly
Remember that first impressions count!
During the interview
Keep to the point and be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. After all, no one’s perfect! Watch your body language. Keep a good posture, make eye contact and try not to fidget. If you’re being interviewed by a group, try to direct your answers to everyone in the room, rather than just one person. And remember, the interview is a two-way process. Have some questions ready to ask yourself!
After the interview
Thank the interviewer, give a firm handshake and ask politely when you can expect a decision. Above all, confirm you really want the job!
Stage Four: Assessment Centre
Everything we've said about interviews applies equally to the Assessment Centre, although you’ll have time to do a bit more in the way of preparation.
Before you arrive, you’ll need to complete a reference form that we’ll send you and bring it along to the event, together with proof of your eligibility.
At the Centre
The Centre itself lasts a whole day in one of our UK offices. It’s designed to measure a range of different skills, so we can tell if you’re right for us. It’s also a chance for you to discover more about AXA and whether we’re right for you. The precise content varies from progamme to programme, although we’ll send you more details on this in advance. In all cases, there will be a presentation about AXA and the programme you’ve selected, as well as the chance to meet some of our current graduate trainees.
It may sound a little daunting, but it’s just our way of getting to know the real you. So relax and try to be yourself!