Graduate programs are fast-track programs that can last up to 12 to 24 months, they serve as a career pathway for a specific organization or industry. They are designed for high potential candidates willing to grow inside the company to reach middle-management / leadership positions after completion. Some of them are rotational programs which allow the person to work in different departments and with different functions. To explore the graduate programs, you can use this list.

Sales department drives the company’s growth by creating and managing the relationship with customers.

• Business Developers: they identify new markets, a new product or service offerings and new ways of reaching existing markets. Some of the main responsibilities in this job include developing a business strategy, negotiating with clients, hitting KPI and sales targets, creating sales reports, and travelling to meet with clients.
• Account Managers: they take over from the Business Developers after the initial sales or sign-up, maintaining and developing existing client relationship, looking after commercial communications with clients and upselling or cross-selling between these clients. From beginning to post-sale, they’re involved with project management, negotiation and strategic planning. Other aspects of the job are answering client queries and finding new business opportunities among existing customers. Also, they are expected to work with internal teams, especially Customer Service and Product Development, to improve the customer experience.

If you like numbers and finance-related topics, but you are not so passionate about working in a Bank or a Financial Services Company, the Industrial world can be the right choice for you. You would be part of the Financial Department of a company in which finance is not the core business, but even so, a fundamental part for the company to be working and growing properly.

For more information about the financial world and the different types of jobs, check the Specialized Pathway of Finance in the Professional Guide to Finance.

Within the industrial world, marketing and communications are functions you will find in the majority of companies. These functional areas play a very important role within the company's activity and performance.

• Marketing: very connected with sales, the marketing department focuses on the promotion of products and services for a tagert market, understanding the company's target customers and their behaviours in order to create, coordinate and implement marketing strategies (product, price, place, promotion). These strategies are generally used and reinforced by a sales team that is in constant contact with potential and current clients/customers in order to attract and retain them.
• Communications: normally the communications department within a company has a broader focus. Although it works hand in hand with areas like marketing and business, it is in charge of handling more than promotion. Communications might be in charge of internal/corporate communications, media relations, events, public image and speaking, and crisis management, amongst others. Their main purpose is managing all communications through a strategic plan that covers many fronts.

For more information about this field, you can also check the Specialized Pathway of Marketing, Sales, and Communication in the Professional Guide to Marketing, Communications & Media.

If you are planning to work in a technological function, the industrial sector could be a good option to be considered.

Big industrial companies are innovating and adapting their structure and processes to be more digital, and for that, they will need tech and digital profiles to join their organizations. Some examples of this trend: today, the plant itself becomes virtual: Solvay, a chemicals company, is in the process of designing a complete digital avatar of its plant in France, while at Safran Aircraft Engines, each physical product has its own digital avatar.

The transition to an industry 4.0 represents a new challenge, a decisive turning point for companies in the sector. It will inevitably generate new needs in purely digital skills, virtualization, and simulation.

The Technology is everywhere and these companies will need expert to support these changes. Let´s have a look on concrete roles you can have:

• Quantitative Analyst at Total (Energy)
• Machine Learning & Medical Imaging Intern at Bayer (Chemicals)
• Digital R&D Intern at ABB (Electrical & Electronic Manufacturing company)

You can also check the Specialized Pathway of Technology in the Professional Guide to Technology to get more insights about courses and tips to succeed in these roles.

Also known as CX specialists, Customer Experience Specialists provide potential and existing customers with exceptional services. They identify customer needs, respond to customer queries, and collaborate with internal departments to optimize customer services and brand awareness.

You can find more information about these functions in the Specialized Pathway of Marketing, Sales, and Communication in the Professional Guide to Business Development and Sales.

The presence of an HR department is an essential component of any business, regardless of the organization's size. HR responsibilities include compensation and benefits, recruitment, training, professional development and keeping up to date with any laws that may affect the company and its employees. Among their functions there is:

• Talent Acquisition and Talent Management
• Payroll, Compensation and Benefit
• Organizational Development
• Learning and Development
• HRIS (HR Information Systems)

You can find more information about these functions in the Professional Guide to Human Resources.

A supply chain is a focus on the core activities within an organisation required to convert raw materials or component parts to finished products or services. It is defined as the entire process of making and selling commercial goods, including every stage from the supply of materials and the manufacture of the goods through to their distribution and sale.

Supply Chain Management is the umbrella term that covers product development, sourcing, production, procurement, logistics and more when it comes to operations in the supply chain. Without it, companies run the risk of reducing its customers, and losing a competitive edge in respective industries.

Successfully managing supply chains is essential to any company hoping to compete. When managed correctly, it can also result in much lower costs, and a faster production cycle.

Project Managers are responsible for the planning, execution and completion of a project, handling all the parts of it, especially scope, schedule, finance, risk, quality and resources.

Project management skills are transferable from one industry to another. The tools and techniques of project management are universal and a good project manager should be able to add value in any environment. However, for some specific industries it can be required to gain also some technical skills, in order to understand better the products and how to manage the planning of the deliveries.

The main responsibilities are:

• Ensure the project meets its objectives
• Negotiate work with the team (hours and resources)
• Manage scope, date and budget
• Manage stakeholder communication
• Visualize and communicate information to the team
• Remove impediments keeping the team from completing their work
• Create a detailed work break down to meet deadlines and goals

Being qualified as a lawyer is not mandatory for applying to many positions within legal departments of multinational private companies (even if completing the qualifying route in a specific country adds value to your profile for many roles and also leaves the door open in case you would like to practise law in the future).

Known as Legal Advisors or In-house Lawyers, they provide advice on specific or several legal topics, as legal departments ensure that the company is compliant with the relevant laws governing its day-to-day operations. To learn more about legal roles and functions, check the Specialized Pathway of Law in the Professional Guide to Law.

Also called internal consulting, it usually refers to a department established in a large company, which provides management consulting services to the rest of the company, or to selected departments. In the picture you can see some examples of companies having this department.

To get more information about how to perform well in an interview for a consultant position, check the Specialized Pathway for Consulting in the Professional Guide to Consulting. Additional information: the In-House Consulting Network is a strong network of in-house consulting units from leading German companies.

Join clubs relevant to your interests and become an active member by attending company presentations and networking events. Being an active member of a club is a great way to demonstrate your passion for a specific area, so be sure to include it on your CV! Visit the IE Clubs Directory to explore all the clubs available to you. You can search by company sector, function, or role.

Have you ever considered becoming an Officer and helping run a club? This experience can help you develop your leadership, communication, and organizational skills!

The IE Labs are a great alternative to traditional work placements, offering fully tutored working spaces where you can develop professional projects and work closely with companies and institutions. They are a great option for students who want to gain hands-on experience, develop interdisciplinary knowledge and professional skills from the very beginning of their academic journey, and, of course, expand their professional network!

Applications are open from your first year at IE! They normally take place in November, but make sure to check all the details at ieulabs.ie.edu or email labs.university@ie.edu.

Participate in events related to your interests and engage with as many people as possible! You can also include relevant events you’ve attended on your CV. Additionally, keep in mind that attending recruiting events significantly increases your chances of being selected for a position, as it allows you to showcase your soft skills, attitude, and motivation, helping you stand out to potential employers!

Network with IE Alumni via LinkedIn (See how to network with fellow alumni on LinkedIn) to gain insight into a company of your interest.

To enrich your CV and gain valuable skills and experience, you can also complete online virtual experiences, internships, and challenges: check out The Forage.

Make sure to check out opportunities promoted in our Talent & Careers Newsletter sent to you by email. It's our top source to share all the latest career-related events and opportunities.

Usually, companies look for students in their penultimate year, however, you can try to apply since your first year of University (but remember to check the calendar of Internship Periods with your Academic Office first). These kinds of internships usually last 10/12 weeks and the application process can take place 3-6 months or even in the year before (between August and November of the previous year), especially for the biggest firms.

APPLICATION TIMELINE: STARTING FROM 1 YEAR BEFORE

Usually, these are available for penultimate year students, last-year students, or recent graduates. Many companies publish very good internship opportunities that allow you enter the company and then be hired full-time after a few months. Normally, they don't require a strong previous professional experience, although high motivation and commitment as well as good attitude and soft skills, can be the keys to secure the position.

A regular Internship normally lasts 6 months but can be also extended to 12 months. 

APPLICATION TIMELINE: AT LEAST 3 MONTHS BEFORE

These programs are extremely interesting opportunities that can last 1, 2 or 3 years and they are designed for high potential candidates willing to grow inside the company and reach middle-management/leadership positions in a short period of time. For this reason, the selection process usually is long and very competitive, so you need to be well-prepared for that!

Some of them are rotational programs that allow the person to work in different departments and with different functions (usually 6 months per function/department). Companies usually don't require a strong professional background, however, having some internships or co-curricular experiences related to the field can be a big plus.

Most programs start right after the graduation period (summer or September), but the application process can take place even 1 year before. For this reason, you need to start looking for these opportunities from the 3rd or 4th quarter. of the year before they start. 

APPLICATION TIMELINE: STARTING FROM 1 YEAR BEFORE

Below can find the list of different companies in diversified industries, among others, which offer the graduate programs: https://iegraduateprograms-edu.com/

Once graduated, you can also have the possibility to join a company directly with a full-time position, as a junior (entry level job). For that, you really need to start enriching your CV since the very beginning of your academic journey and demostrate a good knowledge of the field. 

APPLICATION TIMELINE: BASED ON THE COMPANY'S NEEDS. USUALLY, AT LEAST 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE STARTING DATE.

Make sure to check out opportunities promoted in our Talent & Careers Newsletter sent to you by email. You will find different job opportunities (internships, graduate programs, entry-level positions), events, competitions, and many more!  It's our top source to share all the latest career-related events and opportunities. Download the Excel sheet in order to filter opportunities by function, location, starting date, duration, etc.

The IE Career Portal is a platform where internship and job opportunities are posted. CV adapted to the IE CV template is necessary to apply. Access IE Career Portal > Jobs > Search and start looking for opportunities in our platform. Don't hesitate to contact us if you see a good opportunity and you want to get some tips before the application!

Important: Remember to update your profile on the Career Portal (years of experience, spoken languages...) as the opportunities are filtered for you based on the data you put in.

Join our Careers Forums and participate in recruiting events organized by companies, either online or on campus. Make sure to check the Talent & Careers Newsletter regularly so you don’t miss any opportunities!

There are plenty of job search engines where you can find opportunities, with LinkedIn and JobTeaser being among the most effective. You can find more job search engines here.

Remember to always tailor your CV and Cover Letter to the job role within the specific sub-industry you are applying for. Your CV should have all the keywords that are in the job description of a specific role and sector. 

Resources:

• Webinar, IE Templates and VMock all in the Career Development Training. (To access the CDT: https://blackboard.ie.edu > Courses > Career Development)

• Prepare your Elevator Pitch by using the VMock feature. Instructions here.

Companies may require you to complete an aptitude test online as part of the recruitment process. Aptitude tests can vary significantly depending on the company, sector, and function. They may assess areas such as psychometric, numerical, logical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and language skills. Make sure to practice before the test:

• JobTestPrep
• Aptitude Tests
• Watch this useful webinar to gain more insights into Online Assessments.
• You can also do your research online — there are plenty of aptitude tests available on the web for practice!

If you pass the online tests, you will most probably be called for the first interviews. They can be:

• Video Interviews: Companies use this type of interview as a first step to filter candidates. You will have to record yourself answering a series of questions and send it over to the company before a deadline (usually 1 week).
• HR/ Behavioral or Competency-based Interviews: During this interview, the company wants to know more about you, your motivation and skills.

Resources:

• Make sure you research about the company (mission, vision, values, strategy, products, latest news, etc.).

• Review in detail the job description so you have a clear idea of what they are looking for.

• Please refer to the Recruitment Process page for more resources.

The questions in this step can vary depending on how the recruitment process is structured in a company, but usually the topics covered are:

• Overview about the company and the position: make sure you are well prepared!
• Motivation: Why are you interested in the company? Why are you interested in that position?
• Competency-based: to dig into your soft skills and how you applied them in past situations. Make sure you prepare concrete examples of past situations you have experienced in which you have shown and applied your main soft skills (the ones that you mention in the CV need to be very well justified!).
• Technical questions: usually the people working in the HR Department don't have a technical background, however, they can ask some general technical questions related to the job description. Make sure you have fully understood it.
• (If applicable) your willingness to move, your availability to start, and your salary expectations.

Check the following materials to get very well prepared for this step:

• Interview Tips
• Discovering Behavioral, Competency-based and HR Interviews
• Competency-Based Questions Guide
• Remember to use the STAR Method in your answers!

Once you're prepared, you can also join our Career Practice: Interview Prep with HR Expert to perform a simulation of your next HR interview! Check the availability and register through IE Connects. And of course, let us know when you have an HR interview as we can provide you with even more tips!

This is one of the last steps of the recruitment processes and it's useful for the companies to test your technical knowledge and experience. It can be (one of the two or both):

• CaseCoach: Check instructions to claim your free access to this IE-sponsored platform here. *You have free access to Case Coach for the entire duration of your studies at IE and one more year after your graduation. If at some point the access does not work for you, contact us.
  Some highlighted sections:
  1. Case Interview Preparation Training → The basics of cases and how to solve them
  2. Case Library → Hundreds of case examples for you to practice
  3. Practice room → Other students around the globe to practice cases with
  4. Drills → Short exercises to prepare each of the four main sub-exercises in a case interview

Also, remember that this is a very common step in Consulting. For more information, check the Specialized Pathway for Consulting in the Professional Guide to Consulting to learn more about Case Interviews.

• A Technical interview with a Business Manager. It is very important to be very well updated on the area of the company. Tell us about this step as we can study the possibility to give you access to a Mock Interview with a technical person.

Remember to ask interesting questions when given the opportunity. This can be something that can make the difference between you and another candidate!

They can include tests (check the resources in the section above on Aptitude Tests/Online Assessments) and, more frequently, Group Dynamics. Generally, when applying to Graduate Programs, this is a step you may need to go through. It can involve a series of group exercises or individual activities in which companies assess how you work. They may evaluate a range of skills, including leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and more.

Resources:

• Check out these tips for Group Dynamics.
• If you are interested in participating in a Group Dynamics simulation, it is available upon request. Please contact us at ieu.careers@ie.edu for more details.