Graduate FAQS

We set up our graduate schemes to stretch and inspire ambitious, commercially savvy graduates, opening up a world of future opportunities. As a starting point, you’ll be given a Graduate Passport that will unlock challenges in different areas of our business. We'll introduce you to global networks so you can experience different cultures and build valuable contacts. Depending on your aspirations and the opportunities available, you may be able to spend part of the scheme living and working in another country.

We’re passionate about building thriving communities. And as part of your programme, you’ll also have the opportunity to take part in projects in society that make a far-reaching difference.

The location of our graduate programmes varies from year to year and programme to programme. Some programmes give you the exciting opportunity to work in different countries. Other programmes are offered in one given location.

On our Search and Apply page, you can filter your search to graduate positions and then by location to see if any graduate schemes are currently open for applications in your country. To see all programmes (both open and closed), you can go to our graduate programmes where you can see the primary location for each programme.

To qualify for any of our graduate schemes, you must:

• Have obtained or be expecting to obtain an academic degree
• Be fluent in English
• Be fluent in the language relevant to the market you’re applying to
• Have the right to work in the market you’re applying to (sponsorship opportunities are available for certain locations and programmes. Please check the requirements of the role you’re applying to)
• Depending on the role, have a full, clean driving licence

*These requirements may vary depending on location or role. Please refer to the job description when applications are open.

We like open minds at Diageo, but confident decision-making is also important. That’s why we recommend that you only apply for the one graduate scheme. If you need help deciding, take a look at the different schemes and find out more about our business areas.

If you apply and you’re not successful, you’ll need to wait 12 months before applying again. This means waiting for applications to open for next year.

We’re really big on feedback here at Diageo and all unsuccessful applicants will receive some. Please give yourself time to act on it as this will make any future applications much stronger.

We’re not an one-size-fits-all kind of organisation, so the answer is that it depends on the graduate scheme you’ve applied to. But what we can be specific about is communication — we’ll keep in touch with you throughout the process and update you on your progress.

This varies depending on your country and the graduate scheme you’ve applied for. But we recruit on a rolling basis for our graduate schemes, meaning that we view applications as they come in. So we highly recommend that you apply as soon as possible.

Our assessment activities are designed with one main goal in mind: helping you show the very best of yourself. So, if you have a condition such as dyslexia, which entitles you to additional time, we’ll make reasonable adjustments so you won’t be at a disadvantage when completing the various stages. We’ll ask you up front if you need additional support in any way, so please make sure you let us know.

This stage is a video interview via HireVue, where we can learn more about you through a series of questions that appear on screen. Your answers will be recorded and sent to us as part of the assessment process.

The thing to keep front-of-mind in your video interview is to treat it like a face-to-face interview. With that in mind, dress smartly and make sure you’re in a quiet, distraction-free environment well before you start.

On the technical side, log in early to run the system set-up and check your camera, connection and microphone. When the interview kicks off, look at the camera, not at the screen. Looking at your webcam while speaking gives the feeling of eye contact to the assessor.

And, finally, go through the practice questions. These will help you get comfortable with the style and pace of a video interview. These are not real questions from your interview set, so they won’t be assessed.

The final selection day is designed to give us the clearest possible picture of you and your abilities.

We're looking for authentic, team-spirited people who follow their instincts, take educated risks and look to champion, influence and inspire at every turn. The day will also give you an insight into the way we work and give you the opportunity to meet some of our senior leaders as well as our current and past graduates.

Here are a few pointers on how to approach the day:

1. Build up an understanding of the business and the business area you’re interested in — in advance. It's important to understand the company and the function you want to join.
2. Ask your own questions. This selection process is two-way, so feel free to ask any questions at any stage.
3. Be yourself. We want to learn what makes you you.
4. Think about your journey so far. What are you passionate about and how have you made an impact on others? You’ll have the opportunity to share this with us on the day.
   
   

We’ll email you with some provisional dates. Please note that these are subject to change. If you successfully reach the assessment centre stage, you’ll be given at least five working days’ notice. If you can’t make a particular date, please let us know as soon as possible.

You’ll receive several notifications as you progress through the process, including a confirmation that your application was received and notifications to inform you if you’ve been selected at each stage. We’ll get in touch at every point, using the email address you provided when you made your application.

You'll be told if you are successful within two weeks of the Assessment Centre. When a position has been offered to another candidate, we’ll notify the remaining candidates that they have not been successful on this occasion.

We want you to grow. We want you to develop professionally and personally, and become the best you can be. So, we’ll place you in locations that will give you the best opportunity to do just that. All we ask is that if an opportunity arises to work abroad, you’re ready and raring to go.

Our graduate schemes are full of diverse business experiences and excellent development opportunities. We’ll give you access to advanced tools and learning opportunities that allow you to boost your functional skills and expertise, whilst crystallising your personal leadership style.

You’ll also have the opportunity to take part in formal training designed to develop your personal and professional skills. Through virtual connect sessions, you’ll join a number of senior leaders and peers around the world to share ideas and thoughts on our business.

There’ll be a varied network of people invested in your development over the course of the scheme:

• Your line manager will provide 1-2-1 coaching and opportunities that stretch you — all feeding into your development plan and helping you perform at your best.
• You’ll have a local buddy who’ll support you as you join the business and then help you spread your wings. You can also ask for an international buddy to help broaden your network and share best-practice beyond your team.
• We’ll allocate you a business mentor who’ll be an invaluable career guide throughout your time on the programme.
• Our Human Resource teams will manage your rotations and ensure you have access to the functional and leadership development resources that will equip you for your current role and future moves.

We believe in real roles with real results. This is the best way we all learn. So, the majority of your progress will be on-the-job, learning from and with your team as you develop impressive expertise. Your leadership skills will flourish and evolve through the same process. But, on top of this, you can look forward to global learning interventions throughout each year.

These will be a combination of on-demand self-learning, virtual discussion groups with peers and senior business leaders, and global, cross-functional projects. Taking full advantage of these will allow you to expand your thinking on what’s possible. We really look forward to seeing the impact you make.

We see our graduate schemes as the first chapter in your exciting career story. Perform to the best of your ability and spend quality time dedicated to your development, and great things are on the horizon. You’ll come face-to-face with new and stretching experiences. Whilst we expect you to own your career development, we’ll be there to ensure you have the right network and framework to fly.