Graduate Success Stories

Name: Ligia
Degree: Business Administration
University: Manchester Metropolitan
New Job Title: Marketing Assistant and Merchandising Team Leader

"GRB placed me in a Graduate Scheme over 9 years ago and I would recommend them to anybody looking for their first role. My consultant took the time to help me perfect my CV, giving me tips and advice on interview technique and eventually the good news that I'd been offered the role. Thanks GRB!"

Name: Daan
Degree: Human Factors For Product Designers
University: Cranfield
New Job Title: Risk Advisor

"Finding a first job is always daunting. In a tough job market it can be quite demoralising applying for jobs with little or no experience under your belt. Apart from setting yourself realistic goals for your first job, it is very important you get the right help. I was lucky I came across GRB. I felt they understood my situation very well and would be in a good position to find me suitable job opportunities, which they did. On top of that they were a pleasure to deal with."

Name: Tom
Degree: Business Studies
University: Durham
New Job Title: Graduate Scheme

"A number of years ago GRB found me a Graduate Scheme with Severn Trent PLC, thanks to this role I am have not changed firm, having worked for Severn Trent and then Biffa following the successful completion of the grad scheme."

Name: Gemma
Degree: Economics and Management
University: Brunel
New Job Title: Graduate Business Development Executive

"I started my career in recruitment thanks to the help of the GRB after graduating. Without their advice,service and help I wouldn't be where I am today. My consultant was excellent in providing me with advice and support through a tough three stage interview process."

Name: Oliver
Degree: Economics
University: Exeter
New Job Title: Graduate Economist

"The Graduate Recruitment Bureau supported and helped me with finding a job that I really wanted. I signed up for it and soon received a call from one of the consultants to talk about my skills and job opportunities. She wanted to find out what I really wanted to do after graduating.

From that point onward I was in contact with my agent on a regular base. I remember receiving a call one day in which my consultant stated that she had found the perfect position for me. A few weeks later I attended an interview for the job. Another few weeks later I started a position as an economist, exactly what I wanted after studying economics.

I am thankful for the support, especially by Lucy and Sarah and can only recommend the GRB to anyone currently looking for a job."

Name: Chinwe
Degree: Telecommunications (PhD)
University: Essex
New Job Title: Graduate IT scheme

"When I started my job search, I was very sceptical about recruitment agencies and recruiters. I had heard of very negative experiences from some friends, but decided to sign up to a few agencies anyway. While none of them were as bad as the agencies I had heard about, GRB stood out.

I had the chance to work with Ian, who supported me through the whole application process.  In some instances during the application process, I felt as though I was his only client. He took the time and effort to ensure that I was ready for each interview and assessment centre, to the point that I felt that my success depended on the amount of effort I put in, because he made sure I had all the support, advice and encouragement I needed.  He was never pushy, he was always calm and very professional. He was also very honest and polite. He even called me after I started at my job to ask how I was settling in - this both shocked and impressed me. I also heard from the GRB team after I started working to wish me luck at my new job. I have been at my job for 5 months now and I am thoroughly enjoying every minute of it.

I have already recommended and will continue to recommend GRB to any of my friends (graduates and post-graduates) looking for jobs. They are a fantastic agency, and their service is second to none."

Name: Charl
Degree: Mechanical Engineering
University: Loughborough
New Job Title: Graduate Engineering Planner

"Firstly, I would like to thank you for GRB's help in securing me a job. I thought Chris was terrific, from helping me to improve my CV to support and feedback after the assessment centre. His contribution and input went a long way to securing the job. The service was brilliant, it identified companies that would suit me and I am over the moon with where I have ended up. I would definitely recommend GRB to any job hunter who is looking for a challenging and enjoyable career."

Name: Aditya
Degree: Communication Engineering
University: York
New Job Title: Graduate Software Tester

"It gives me immense pleasure to be able to write something about how pleased I am with the level of service and support provided by Aleks.

From the day he contacted me initially to discuss the job opening to the day he called me to congratulate me, he was always available and very enthusiastic and prompt in answering any of my questions. He was professional, yet very friendly which really made me feel very comfortable - an essential trait which is, surprisingly, not so common with most graduate recruiters.

The way he answered my questions not only demonstrated his vast array of knowledge, it also reflected the fact that he actually believed in my abilities. This, in my opinion, is quintessential, because at times all a recent graduate needs is a little bit of support and confidence, and a gentle push!

Although, in the true sense, Aleks' job was officially done the day I started working, I still received a box a week after I started working with a congratulations card and a sweet from Aleks, which was indeed a very pleasant thing. :)

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Aleks and GRB for helping me secure the ideal Job I was looking for. I would gladly recommend Aleks and GRB to any graduate who is looking to find that 'PERFECT' start!!"

Name: Chloe
Degree: Public Administration And Public Policy (MA)
University: York
New Job Title: Graduate Sales and Marketing Executive

"Firstly, I was very impressed with our conversations about job opportunities you matched me with. It was almost the first interview in life but you and your colleagues were very professional and left me with a very pleasant impression of GRB. Secondly, I am enjoying this job a lot as well and it's definitely an international company with ambitious plans and a very friendly environment. More importantly, they are keen to invest in employees, especially graduates like me, so I feel grateful to begin my career with them."

Name: Andrew
Degree: History
University: Southampton
New Job Title: HR Executive

"I signed up to GRB at the beginning of my first year at the University of Southampton.  Four years later with undergraduate and Masters degrees completed, I went out into the most competitive job market in generations.  I applied to numerous graduate schemes, with little success.  GRB managed to link my skills and qualifications to role in the local area.  Sam and the team were excellent in finding me a relevant position. 

Human Resources is a very specialist field with few vacancies at graduate level, but GRB managed to find a number of positions available.  The constant support before and after the interview process was outstanding and for me makes GRB unique.  They helped me prepare for every step of the recruitment process.  I have recommended to all my friends and would recommend to anyone.  Thank you so much for your help in finding me a fantastic job."

Name: Mat
Degree: History And Politics
University: Warwick
New Job Title: Graduate Market Research Analyst

"Having graduated in 2012 I was fairly upbeat about finding a job. I had some good work experience behind me and volunteered at the Olympics which I thought would look good on my CV. However, having applied for tonnes of jobs, including part time work, I started to realise that finding a job wasn't going to be quite as easy as I had thought. I was told that applying to some recruitment agencies might help out.
 
My advice is to be picky about which agencies you choose! I initially had two absolutely awful experiences with recruitment firms. The jobs they put me forward for were not at all what I wanted to do and were not relevant for me at all. They were not explained and I felt totally unprepared for the interviews I was sent to. One job, unbeknown to me, was actually for a self-employed position. It was only when I read the contract that I realised I would not be paid a wage. Thankfully I had not signed and so was not locked into an 18 month contract, but I had wasted five days of my time at the firm.
 
I signed up to GRB just as part of the initial rush of applications that I think must people go through and to be completely honest, I think I had forgotten I had signed up. It was only when I was sent an email by a consultant about a job position that was looking for graduates from my discipline that I remembered. The fact that the email spoke about why History grads in particular were desired was encouraging because I immediately knew that at least the employer knew the sort of person they were looking for- and thankfully I fitted that category!
 
After my initial application I was then phoned by the consultant who spoke to me to find out more about myself and the type of job and environment I would like to work in. This was great because I really felt she was making an effort to find out whether I would enjoy the job and be a good fit for the company. I felt like I was more than just a number to GRB and that my consultant actually cared about whether or not this job would be a good fit for me personally.
 
I had a lot of help in terms of preparation for my initial and secondary interviews. I've now been working for about six weeks and am really enjoying myself. I feel incredibly lucky to have got this job from GRB, but wish I had focused my efforts with them early, and not wasted my time with other firms."

Name: Anuja
Degree: Economics
University: York
New Job Title: Graduate Health Econometrician

"While I was in the process of completing my Master in Economics at University of York, I signed up to a few recruitment agencies online.
Since the master's course is quite intense the time to prepare and apply for jobs is very limited. In today's day and age it is very important to have tailor made applications to stand out from the crowd, therefore, it used to take me ages to look for relevant vacancies and apply.
I had started applying for jobs as soon as I started my MSc. Although, I did not have much luck with the job search, until I started forwarding my CV to the GRB team. I used to get calls back from the GRB team on a regular basis, updating me on my application process and providing me with great advice regarding improving my CV. They put me up for jobs in employment sectors I didn't think would even consider on hiring me.
The insight that a recruitment agency like GRB has is invaluable. They helped me get my first job and practically chose a brilliant career path in Health Economics which I had not considered earlier. The GRB team matched my skill set and interests accurately to every job they put me up for.The GRB team were very helpful, starting from the preliminary stages of telephone interview all the way through to the final interview and employment stage.
I would definitely recommend GRB to all Graduates and Postgraduates. A big thank you to Sara and Lucy for all their help."

Name: Paul
Degree: Mechanical And Manufacture Engineering
University: Warwick
New Job Title: Graduate Engineer

"My experiences with the Graduate Recruitment Bureau have been brilliant! They have been very prompt and always kept me up to date with opportunities via email and phone. In fact I was first contacted about an opportunity within 2 days of registering! All the members of the team are very helpful. They always answer any questions I had and made sure that I was prepared for interviews, giving advice and tips to enable myself to do well. Even after the interviews, I was contacted to see how I got on and they try to help if I thought it didn't go as well as I thought.

I would highly recommend the GRB for any other graduates and to-be-graduates looking for jobs. They always make sure you get the best opportunity in securing a graduate job."

Name: Michael
Degree: Economics
University: Exeter
New Job Title: Graduate Banking Analyst

"Having already studied Economics at Exeter for 2 years it was at the start of my third and final year that the realisation dawned on me that I should commence looking for post-graduation employment. I had, by my own standards, been fairly slack in looking for work up to that point. However, confident that I was in one of the country's best universities and wanting to work in the financial sector, I was sure that something would come up before the summer months came around. Nevertheless, by the time final exams rolled around in the spring I was still without an offer of full term employment. I had signed on to numerous job sites that seemingly offered easier routes into companies and I had applied to over 50 different jobs, both in this manner and via specific company, graduate intake, sites.

As term came to a close I was no better off. I had secured some temporary work in the City for the summer but a career still seemed some way off. In my frustration with the inadequacy of so many graduate schemes I turned to Google. Having typed something along the lines of, 'Graduate Jobs now' into the search bar I was faced with a link to the Graduate Recruitment Bureau. So, I signed up to the services they provided and was stunned, not by how regularly they sent me job links, but how often the job possibilities were ones I would actually be interested in. This for me is where GRB really stood out. Other sites were able to send through plenty of jobs, but it was if they hadn't read my CV or what I was interested in, GRB only offered jobs that were more specific to me personally.

In addition to this, GRB were also highly personable. Unlike the graduate sites of so many companies I was able to phone GRB and talk to a real person and they could phone me up to inform me of my progress and get a better feel for what I wanted. So, it wasn't surprising that after a couple of months GRB were able to get me an interview with one of the largest and most successful banks in the world. Furthermore, the job opening I found myself interviewing for was not a regular graduate intake place but a full time employment opportunity in one of the banks most successful divisions.

As it happens I was offered the job and as a result my work is diverse, busy and enjoyable and I really can thank GRB for all the help they gave me in securing this position."

Name: Anna
Degree: Information Systems
University: Cardiff
New Job Title: Graduate Business Consultant

"I am extremely pleased with the service I received from the GRB team. The website is really easy to use to search and view jobs. It also allows tailoring of preferences, which the GRB guys follow when helping look for jobs.

My experience started by receiving emails for jobs that matched my requirements. The job caught my eye so I replied with my CV. Ian then got in contact and we took the process from there. I always received fast email responses from Ian and felt comfortable that I could call him with any queries.
I thought it was excellent how he dedicated time to prepare me for the interview and gave me confidence that I was suitable for the role.

Ian and the team were also great at ringing to see how the interviews had been. My interview and feedback process was very fast and I found out that I had secured the job the day after the final interview.

The overall experience was helpful, friendly and professional. Even though you never meet in person, it feels like you build up a relationship with the consultant that is relaxed yet productive."

Name: Matthew
Degree: Mathematics
University: Imperial
New Job Title: Graduate Risk Analyst

"I personally thought the GRB was very good at getting me recruited. I was called by the GRB team early in the year regarding employment (almost too early as the first was during my exams) but I only had to make a few amendments to my CV in order for it to be sent off to the relevant employers which didn't take very long. I was given good information about the jobs available and also which ones I would be suitable for.
 
I was then put forward for a role with a Finance firm. Lucy gave me a solid understanding on what was required for the role and gave me some useful tips regarding the type of characteristics that they were looking for - the most notable of these was leadership. The advice was helpful and concise and acting on it definitely helped me get recruited.
 
All in all the process was very quick and the turnover period from finishing my finals to gaining employment took about a month.Thank you."

Name: Lucy
Degree: Biomedical Science With Business Studies
University: Newcastle
New Job Title: Graduate Assistant Product Manager

"I don't know how I found GRB, but once I had, I was really pleased that I did. Out of all the jobs I managed to get interviews for, 4 out of the 5 were via GRB.  Once GRB had my CV, they only emailed me about jobs that were relevant to the  sectors I said I was interested in and fitted the qualifications I had.

They made it all really easy - from replying to the initial email, GRB do the first phone interview. This is one of the best things, because everyone is so friendly (I spoke to quite a few people over the number of jobs I applied to) they make you feel enough at ease to express why you're interested in the job, and give you the opportunity to find out a bit more about the job, perhaps that you wouldn't necessarily ask at an interview or assessment centre.

The number of insider tips they are able to give you, like advice from graduates in past years is invaluable. They're also often able to tell you what to expect, which reduces so much of the stress when you're at an assessment centre or interview.

For the job that I'm now in, they even called me up to go over the presentation I was going to give and have me pointers on how to improve the points I was making.  They also noticed that the

trains to the interview were delayed and called the company and me up to let them know I was going to be late (I'd left loads of time, but there was a cable theft) which made the inevitable panic so much less.  They also called me the second they knew I'd got the job. Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better service from GRB and I love the job I'm  in!"

Name: Matt
Degree: Human Geography
University: Leicester
New Job Title: Graduate Operations Leadership Scheme

"After studying at the University of Leicester, I finally graduated but hadn't really concentrated on getting a job whilst at university. It was hard enough studying! Yes I had signed up to recruitment agencies like the Graduate Recruitment Bureau, but I hadn't really concentrated on the roles they had to offer. That is until I graduated and was determined to get a proper job.
 
I received an email from GRB asking for Geography graduates and I was hooked, so I sent my CV across and within a couple of days I had a phone call to discuss my preferences and goals. The job on offer was with a delivery and marketing mail business, and although the interview process had closed, GRB were able to get me through the process to the assessment centre.
 
Along the journey I had incredible support from my recruitment consultant, Charlotte, who was absolutely terrific and ensured I had all the tools and knowledge to go into every stage of the process fully prepared.
 
The whole process with the GRB was absolutely amazing - if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be in a graduate job that could lead to flourishing career with one of Britain's largest employers. For anyone who is looking for a graduate job, I couldn't recommend the GRB more, particularly Charlotte, who helped me get where I am today."

Name: Matt
Degree: Accountancy
University: Bath
New Job Title: Graduate Application Consultant

"It was a very pleasant suprise to receive a phone call from the GRB with details of a job opening. This wasn't just any old job either. It was applicable to the course I took, was for an excellent company, had above average pay and some excellent benefits. When I said I was interested in the role they immediately got me an interview with the company. The GRB also phoned me up beforehand to give me pointers, and checked my CV was up to scratch.

I had a phone call from the GRB after both interviews to check how they went. This personal touch was fantastic, keeping me informed of what was going on in the selection process and keeping me motivated through the difficult task that is job hunting. I felt that, even if I were to not get the job, that I would get some useful feedback that I can apply to other applications.

I did get the job and I cannot thank the GRB team enough for this. I would highly recommend their services to any job hunter who is looking for a great job applicable to their course, and who wants a friendly service that treats you as important."

Name: Thomas
Degree: Mechanical Engineering
University: Bristol
New Job Title: Graduate IT Development Programme

"During my job search I found out about GRB and was lucky enough to have Ian as my recruitment consultant for my application with a financial firm. During my experience with Ian, he was very professional and helpful the whole way. He came across as a consultant who really understands the industry and recruitment processes and was able to give me valuable advice through the whole recruitment process, from initial application form to final assessment centres.I would fully recommend GRB and Ian to anyone who is currently searching for a job."

Name: Harry
Degree: Real Estate Management
University: Northumbria
New Job Title: Graduate IT Sales Programme

"The Graduate Recruitment Bureau has given me the opportunity to work in a job that suits my strengths. Whilst working in Dublin I was made aware of a position in the London area that would be an improvement on my current position.

In depth information on the position was provided, clearly outlining answers to the questions I had.

Sam was very effective in organising everything that was required of me throughout the entire process from introductory phone call, through the interview stages, when the position was confirmed, and even one month after I had started the job to make sure everything was okay.

This was the second time I had gone through this process in my career but I would not hesitate to recommend to a friend in the future."

Name: Josh
Degree: Physics
University: Oxford
New Job Title: Project Engineer

"Simply put, the Graduate Recruitment Bureau provided an incredible careers service; I'm surprised I didn't have to pay them.

The best thing about the GRB is that they don't pigeon hole you in to broad categories like other recruitment companies do. Rather than carpet-bombing your inbox, they only send you info about companies offering work that match the specific criteria you've told them about. They helped widen my horizons too, a lot of the companies suggested to me were ones I had never heard of, including the one at which I've chosen to stay.

As well as the email service, I received phone calls from GRB when the position they had in mind was particularly suited to my interests. The staff made a real effort to get to know me and the things I wanted from my career, which meant I was told about work that was not only relevant to my degree, but work that would be interesting, challenging and lead to real personal development.

Applying for positions through the GRB was really easy too - since they talk directly to potential employers on your behalf, you don't have to spend hours filling in impersonal forms online; often you can just send your CV to GRB and they'll do the rest, leaving you with the time to get on with your work."

Name: Annabel
Degree: Economics
University: Surrey
New Job Title: Economist

"After joining several recruitment agencies, the Graduate Recruitment Bureau was the only one to assign a dedicated consultant who really took into account what job role I was looking for. I had regular contact with my recruitment consultant so I was always aware of new opportunities and any job vacancies that would fit my profile. It was only a few months before I was contacted with the exact type of role I was after. This was particularly impressive as I had been searching job sites for months, but this vacancy was only advertised to a few select agencies. The adviser not only helped set up interviews, but also gave excellent advice towards being a successful candidate.

I would recommend the GRB to any future or current graduate as they take great care over your interests instead of just spamming you with generic job vacancy emails, and definitely go the extra mile in helping you to secure a job you want. If it wasn't for them, it's likely my career wouldn't have started yet!"

Name: Annalise
Degree: Management
University: Reading
New Job Title: Marketing Trainee

"Just wanted to say a huge thank you to Jenny and your team for all your assistance in helping me find a graduate job.

Jenny made the whole application process much easier. Firstly, Jenny found several roles that were relevant and of interest to me, which was very useful as I had limited time to search for jobs. Jenny also reviewed my CV and provided useful feedback to improve the lay-out. In the second and third stage of the application process, Jenny provided excellent advice in preparing for the numerical testing, psychometric testing, interview and group exercise. This advice helped me fully prepare for the assessment day, which put me at ease on the day. After securing an offer, Jenny also liased with the firm to confirm all the details of my employment and start date, which ensured a smooth transition from my previous role. 

Thank you again for all the work your team has done, and I would recommend your service to any graduate in a heartbeat."

Name: Sarah
Degree: Mathematics
University: Glasgow
New Job Title: Gaming Analyst

"I signed up to the Graduate Recruitment Bureau while I was looking for a job in my final year of studying maths at Glasgow University. I found the site was easy to navigate and the emails I received were tailored to my preferences and so normally always contained jobs I was interested in. With most of my details already uploaded it meant I usually just had to click 'Apply' which was a great help when I was busy working on my dissertation and for my final exams. Furthermore speaking to the individuals at GRB helped me to identify my strengths and how my skills applied to the roles I was interested in, which gave me more confidence and conviction when I was speaking to the companies. I think GRB definitely had a more personal feel than most recruitment agencies/sites and in my experience they managed to match me perfectly to a role and company. I am now working as a Gaming Analyst in London and I know I would never have ended up here if I hadn't joined up to Graduate Recruitment Bureau."

Name: Shaun
Degree: Mathematics With Computer Science
University: Surrey
New Job Title: Technical Consultant

"I was very pleased the service supplied by GRB, I found my Industrial Placement (with Accenture) and my current graduate job through them and found them to be very helpful.

The whole process was very quick and stress free. After posting my details I was contacted by Gen regarding a position and then the next thing I knew I was attending an assessment day. Gen contacted me throughout the joining process with advice about what to research before the day and how to get there. She also contacted me the evening of the day to tell me that the company wanted to offer me a job.

I signed up to multiple recruitment websites and definitely found the service at GRB stood out, the fact that I could contact Gen directly helped; as opposed to being put through to a switch board. "

Name: Lindsay
Degree: Mathematics And Statistics
University: Strathclyde
New Job Title: Graduate Credit Risk Analyst

"The Graduate Recruitment Bureau really helped me with my search for a graduate job.  Throughout my fourth year I applied to many different roles and eventually came across GRB.   I uploaded my CV onto their website which was really simple to do and before long I had received phone calls from their staff about possible roles to apply for.  They were really helpful and suggested jobs that I hadn't considered before, including the one that I ended up in.  Throughout the application process, the woman I dealt with gave me lots of advice and tips for dealing with the interviews and assessment days which I think ultimately helped me secure a job offer. 

I have now been in my job for almost 2 months and I am really enjoying it and the people I am working with.  I would never have applied for this job had it not been for GRB and may not have a role that I am so well suited for without them!"

Name: Emma
Degree: English Literature and History
University: Birmingham
New Job Title: Graduate Communications Executive

"I first registered with Graduate Recruitment Bureau after graduating in 2010. Although I didn't gain my first graduate job through the site, I would recommend GRB for the continuous support they offer graduates throughout their post-university life.

Despite my relative inactivity on the website, I continued to receive regular job listings for posts relevant to my degree and location. Over two years after graduating, I received an email from Rebecca detailing a job which I felt was perfect for my experience, and replied with my CV. Any worries I had about being 'too old' to qualify for GRB's assistance were quickly swept away by Rebecca's attentive and useful support throughout the process.

On this basis, I would not only recommend GRB to graduates who are fresh out of university, but I would also encourage second and third year graduates who are seeking their next role to register as well."

Name: Jessica
Degree: Management
University: Aston
New Job Title: Membership Administrator

"I registered with GRB in my final year of University following a friends recommendation- she had just secured a graduate role with a large FMCG Company through GRB.

The registration process was really straightforward; I sent through my CV and talked to one of the consultants about what roles I would be interested in. From then on I could browse the roles on the website or wait for the GRB weekly updates to arrive in my email inbox.  After graduation I was working in a Summer School and wasn't really sure what I was going to do in September, when one afternoon Rebecca from GRB emailed me details of a role I might be interested in. I read the job description and my first reaction was 'I can do this', so responded with my CV straightaway. Not even 10 minutes later Rebecca had called me to discuss the role in more detail and explained the selection process. I was put forward for the interview the following week. Rebecca was so helpful during this time, taking the time to send me interview tips and being available in case I had any questions about the role or needed a practice interview. I attended the interview and was offered the job on the spot- I was so pleased, I finally had a graduate level role! I started as soon as possible and 11 months later I am still at AGR. Since then I have recommended GRB to fellow graduates and university students as it advertises a wide variety of roles and the support the consultants provide during the selection process is invaluable."

(Please note that this testimonial is based solely on my opinions and personal experience, and is not that of my employer.)

Name: Leah
Degree: Business Information Systems
University: Brighton
New Job Title: Graduate Business Support Analyst

"Every member of staff I've dealt with has been friendly and helpful. Aleks who was the permanent consultant that placed me was brilliant, really helped me out and placed me a company that I love. I have praised you to my employer and will continue recommending your services to other graduates. Thanks again to you and your team for a great opportunity."

Name: Raj
Degree: Computer Science
University: Southampton
New Job Title: IBM Placement

"Raj Shah came to the University of Southampton's School of Electronics and Computer Science because it was the best in the country and beat the University of Cambridge in the league tables in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and ranks at number one.

Indian-born Raj is also a first class student who managed to get five 'A's at A-level which won him a scholarship to ECS.

Growing up in Thailand, Raj had a big interest in the design of cars, which led to him to choose Electromechanical Engineering.

When it came to choosing a company for his industrial placement year, he had hoped to work at Rolls Royce, Jaguar or Land Rover and was disappointed initially when he did not manage to secure placements with any of them.

When he came across an advert for a placement at IBM through the Graduate Recruitment Bureau, he sent in an application and was offered a placement a role as a laboratory technician within the customer support department for IBM Cognos Software." - Read the full case study here

Name: Duncan
Degree: Chemical Engineering
New Job Title: Graduate Chemical Process Engineer

"The service I received from you has been fantastic. You were thorough and extremely helpful (especially when the nerves set in).  I have absolutely no faults with the service. Thanks once again"

Name: Suyanthan
Degree: Software Engineering
New Job Title: Associate Software Engineer

The Brief
GRB were approached by a world leading London-based management consultancy in March as they found themselves with a large deficit in their requirements for technical graduates. They found out about GRB through membership of a professional association which led to a recommendation. They had a large number of technical development roles that had to be filled by a strict deadline and the technical consulting team at GRB stepped in to help. They had 90 roles and were planning to use agencies to fill about 10% of these roles. However due to high calibre graduates on our books and our 13 years experience in graduate recruitment, within three months GRB had successfully filled 22 of these roles, nearly 25%.

The Results
One candidate, Suyanthan, had been searching for work for a year and had been struggling hugely to find suitable graduate work due to the recession, lack of work experience and little confidence. He found himself trapped in a role with a supermarket stacking shelves and had his confidence knocked by repeated rejection letters. He tentatively applied to the role through the GRB website and the consultant gave him an in depth phone screen to assess his suitability. It was decided by the consultant and candidate that he would be put forward for the position as the consultant could see his potential.

The company asked to conduct an interview, which Suyanthan was delighted about but extremely nervous. The consultant gave him lots of advice on the best way to prepare for the interview and the kind of research he should do which gave Suyanthan a boost to his confidence and he was able to secure himself a second interview. Suyanthan was still extremely nervous but the consultant was able to quell this with time spent on the phone finding out what caused the nerves and helped him overcome them. He went into the interview confident that he was the right candidate and that it was the right role for him. It worked because he got a job offer!

With the help of GRB both the client and candidates are happy to have quotas filled and careers to start. In Suyanthan's case it not only gave him the chance to build a successful career in a job he wanted with a company he wanted to join but also helped his family out as it has allowed his father to retire.

The Graduate Experience

"I graduated in Software Engineering at City University London in June 2009. Since then, I submitted my CV to various recruitment agencies and one of them was GRB. The other agencies were not very helpful but GRB stood out. For instance other agencies didn't seem to listen and would repeatedly enquire about my work experience despite having clearly stated in my CV that I was a fresh graduate. GRB staff, especially Aleks who carefully analysed my CV, only picked me for suitable positions that matched my degree and abilities perfectly and then coached me every step of the way.

In addition, GRB were extremely helpful and were very prompt in communicating with me as to how I should handle myself in the telephone interview and face to face interview for the role. Some of the tips I received from GRB were invaluable. I will honestly say that if not for the helpful assistance that was given to me by GRB I would never have got the position I did.

Confidence was my main enemy! Even though I gained a first class degree, I didn't have that much confidence and as it was all new to me I felt out of my depth with regard to job interviews but GRB gave me great tips and support throughout my interview process. For instance, the first round interview was over the phone and I wasn't sure how to prepare for it, but Aleks explained to me in detail about the company, how to prepare, what other candidates had said about the process and suggested some online and offline resources to research. I just focused on what I was advised and I easily passed my 1st and the 2nd round interviews to land the job."