Applications for our graduate and placement schemes for 2023 open on Thursday 1 September 2022.
Anyone joining us will be in the company of over 250 graduates and placement students who have completed our scheme since 2000 and hopefully begin a rewarding career in property consultancy by gaining exposure to many different areas of the business regardless of the office or scheme they join.
Many of our colleagues first came to us as placement students or graduates and their expertise and dedication has helped many others to forge outstanding careers within the firm.
Our graduate programme supports recent graduates as they work towards professional qualifications and is run by our graduate team. The programme enables every graduate to achieve their full potential and go on to develop their careers through the firm. It is open to applicants from all universities.
A highlight of our graduate programme is that it also supports full mock Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) interviews and paperwork reviews to ensure our APC candidates are in the best possible position to pass the exam when they sit it for real. Our APC pass rate over the last 3 sessions is 96%. Our graduate planners also benefit from dedicated support and the pass rate for RTPI chartered membership was 100%.
The APC is an exam that graduates must pass to become chartered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), in the case of surveyors or with the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) for planners. The APC ensures that candidates are competent in their field of work and that they meet the high standards of professionalism required to become a chartered surveyor or planner. These are a mix of technical and professional practice, interpersonal, business and management skills.
Marie-Ange, Early Careers Talent Advisor, said: “Each year, we are amazed by the talent of the people who join us and their driven approach to their work and continued professional development.
“Being one of our new team members means they will be fully supported throughout your training and professional qualifications, with a dedicated Supervisor and Counsellor. If they are following the surveying route, they will also have access to an APC Doctor who will meet with them throughout their qualification period.”
For placement students, the programme offers an opportunity to work as part of a team, dealing with real clients and gaining valuable experience that will set them up for a successful career, following the completion of their degree course. Placement students are invited to attend the graduate training days and get early APC support.
Students are given responsibilities, and where appropriate, ownership of a project giving them the best opportunity to develop their professional and interpersonal skills.
Other benefits of the scheme:
- Network with fellow graduates to develop knowledge
- Career-enhancing events such as our firmwide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and graduate days
- Attend mock interviews with our RICS and RTPI trained assessors
- Temporarily transfer to another team to widen experience
- Regular contact with the APC team to advise and guide graduates at the start of their career
- Continual support to ensure the best possible foundation to their career
Carrie who was placed in our agribusiness team and joined us in September 2021 on our graduate scheme. She said: "I'm from a rural background and hadn't studied a RICS accredited degree and therefore I wasn't very familiar with the roles the different surveyors in the firm carry out when I first started. The graduate programme really helped to educate me on the diverse range of roles we have to offer.
"I thought the application process was very easy, being a CV and cover letter. I found it much easier than completing online tests and challenges like many other firms ask you to do. Anyone thinking of applying definitely should because this is a great place to work with so many different roles available. Because some of our teams are smaller, your work can have a much bigger impact, and this opens the door for more career progression."
James, now a qualified planner, joined Fisher German on our graduate scheme in September 2018. He said: "I went to Lancaster University for a BSc in Geography and have now completed an MSc in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Birmingham.
"The firm's support for graduates attracted me, as well as the appeal of working for a multidisciplinary firm with national reach and a great culture.
"I was told by a friend about the graduate programme and the application process was very simple, with really friendly interviews. I'm grateful someone told me about the programme because it was the perfect opportunity to launch my career in planning. I try to tell as many people as I can about the scheme because I know how it helped me."
Olivia was a placement student in our utilities and infrastructure team. She joined us in September 2021 and has recently accepted an offer to come back to the Infrastructure Services team in Market Harborough after her graduation in 2023. She said: “I've really enjoyed my time here and I think it is fair to say I have learned more than I could have ever imagined. The application process was quick and easy and the experience from the application, to interview and the offer stage was seamless.
"From day one, you are given real work to complete and when you are competent enough, you are given project ownership. This level of responsibility means we are well prepared for our future careers.
"I initially had an interest in rural roles, but my placement in the Infrastructure Service Division has been very interesting and I've found a passion for it. It just goes to show how many different opportunities there are here!”
Applications will run from Thursday 1 September to Friday 2 December. Click here for more information.
