What we look for
We’ve given you an idea of what IBM has to offer and what life would be like if you worked here. But there is only one way to know for sure and that is by actually being here. So, take a look at what we look for in our graduate hires and understand a little more about our selection process. If you choose to apply, our advice is to keep in mind that the ability to work as part of a team, your personal drive to achieve, innovative thinking and the desire to make a difference, are as important to us as academic achievements.
To begin with, you’ll need to have achieved or be expecting to achieve a 2:1 honours degree and have a passion for the area you’re applying to. For any specific degree subject requirements, please see individual job role information.
The people who are most successful at IBM share a distinct set of characteristics. These begin with energy and creativity, along with a clear focus on delivering exceptional customer service. We’ve defined and refined these to set out our foundational competencies, which complement our values and identify the skills you’ll need to succeed. If you’d like to work with us, this is the best place to begin: by identifying how you’ve already used these skills and the examples you’ll use to demonstrate them, in an interview or at assessment centre.
Adaptability
We look for people who are flexible when things change. How do you cope with changing demands, uncertainty and stress? Do you remain calm and composed? Can you demonstrate that you have successfully completed several projects or assignments with competing deadlines? Can you quickly think of new approaches and solutions in response to changing demands?
-
Teamwork & Collaboration
This competency is all about showing us how you work with others to achieve shared goals. Do you respect and value others’ differences? Do you easily build and maintain relationships with others? Do you offer support and help others and share your expertise with them to enhance the effectiveness of the team?
-
Communication
This competency focuses on how you communicate with others. Do you present oral and written information clearly, precisely and succinctly? Do you match the way you communicate with the requirements of the situation and your audience? Do you listen carefully to others, asking questions when necessary to ensure understanding?
-
Drive to achieve
This competency is all about being committed to success and accomplishing challenging goals. Do you take the initiative to learn new skills that will be useful for your future career? Do you learn about things beyond the scope of your current job or assignment? Do you display a high level of energy and motivation to produce work of the highest quality? Are you prepared to put in as much additional time or effort as is necessary to ensure high quality results?
-
Creative problem solving
This is all about using ingenuity, supported by logical methods and appropriate analysis, to propose solutions to problems. Do you conduct thorough fact-finding and analysis, anticipating any potential problems and then plan accordingly? Do you think ‘outside the box’ when proposing solutions to problems? Do you put forward new ideas for activities at university or work and offer innovative ideas to overcome challenges?
-
Client focus
This competency is all about being able to work with clients and anticipating their needs and responding appropriately. ‘Clients’ can be colleagues, study groups, lecturers or customers you may have worked for. Do you build rapport quickly and easily and think about a situation from their point of view? Do you recommend solutions that meet their needs? Do you respond to requests from them quickly and accurately? Do you act with the clients’ satisfaction as top priority?
-
Passion for the business
This is all about being able to demonstrate a passion for our company and the industry in which we operate. Do you know what IBM does, and what recent achievements we have had? Can you demonstrate a knowledge of recent trends within the IT & Consulting industry? Are you enthusiastic and passionate about working for IBM?
-
Taking ownership
This is all about identifying and taking responsibility proactively for tasks and decisions in a timely manner. Can you demonstrate when you’ve accepted responsibility for mistakes and worked to correct them? Do you focus on resolving difficult situations rather than finding someone to blame? Do you anticipate potential problems with a project and then plan accordingly, implementing decisions with speed and urgency?
-
Trustworthiness
This is about showing us that you can demonstrate integrity and professionalism when dealing with others. Can you demonstrate that you have honoured commitments and projected a positive image of a group or society you were representing? Do you communicate openly and honestly with others and follow through on commitments made to colleagues or friends?
