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Frequently Asked Questions for 2008/2009 Graduate Campaign
These are the most common questions we are asked about the Graduate Programme and Summer/Industrial Placement Scheme.
Salary and benefits
- What salary do you offer?
The minimum starting salary for graduates who joined the graduate programme in August 2008 was £31,500. The actual salary offered depends on the type of degree, which you hold i.e. Bachelors, Masters, PhD.
Graduate and Undergraduate Salary & Benefits (with effect July 1 2008)
Graduate starting salaries for 2009:
BA/BSc £33,000
MA/MSc £34,000
Non relevant PhD £34,500
Relevant PhD £37,500
Undergraduate starting salary for 2009:£22,400
- When is my salary reviewed?
All salaries are reviewed annually every January. For graduates we review your salary on a 6 monthly basis for at least the first two years of employment.
- What benefits do graduates who are on the programme receive?
You’ll be able to take advantage of a range of company benefits such as our performance-related pay scheme, share ownership scheme, contributory pension scheme, and Sickness and Accident Benefit.
- How much do you pay undergraduates who are on a Summer Course or Industrial Placement Scheme?
For our 2009 programmes we pay £22,400 per annum pro rata. Salaries are reviewed on an annual basis so you may receive an increase for our 2010 programmes.
Application process
- Can I have an application form?
As part of the application process, we have developed an internet-based application system to offer you a faster and easier way to complete your application form. Please visit our graduate website at www.exxonmobil.com/ukrecruitment and submit the on-line application form.
- How should I send my application form; can I include a cover letter; who should I address it to?
In order to offer you the best service possible, we are no longer accepting CV's or applications sent in via email or post. Please visit our website www.exxonmobil.com/ukrecruitment and submit the on-line application form. Should you wish, you can upload sections of your CV as part of your on-line application, which should reduce the amount of time needed to complete the application form.
- Can I add something extra to my application form after I submit?
You can access your application and edit your personal details and CV via using your ID and password you set up when completing the on-line form. You will not be able to edit any of the personal qualities section after submission.
- I applied before - can I apply again?
You may apply only once within a recruitment cycle. Feel free to re-apply during the next recruitment cycle if you feel that your circumstances have changed and if you have enhanced your skills and experience since your last application.
- What are the key dates in the recruiting process for the graduate programme?
We begin accepting applications from 20th August 2008. There is no deadline for receipt of applications although we do encourage early applications, and we process applications in the order that they are received. In recent years, our selection process has been continuous in response to graduates' changing needs.
- What are the start dates for employment?
The provisional joining dates for candidates who accept our offer are as follows:
Graduates: August 24th 2009
Summer Placements: June 29th 2009
Industrial Placements: June 29th 2009
We will consider deferred entry, which is entirely dependant on business need. The decision to allow someone to defer entry is made on a case-by-case basis. We emphasise that you express this in your first face to face interview. This is helpful to ExxonMobil for future planning. Deferred entry may mean that graduates can join us a year later or even just take a few months off before joining.
- What does the selection process for the graduate programme involve?
Once you’ve sent us your on-line application form, you will receive an acknowledgement note on your screen at the very last page of the application process. If you are successful at the initial screening stage, you will be invited to undertake an on-line numerical test. If you pass the numerical test your competency based responses will be reviewed by a member of our recruitment team. The following stages involve a telephone interview, face to face interview and typically an assessment centre. The assessment centre lasts for one day and in most cases will involve an evening meal with management and an overnight stay the night before. The assessment centre consists of a business game, panel interview and in-tray exercise, with the exception of Gas and Power Marketing who do not run a business game and Production who conduct panel interviews and in-tray exercise only. Succeed here and we should be able to make you an offer within the first three working days after your assessment centre. You’ll then have one month to make your final decision although we are prepared to be flexible under special circumstances. More detailed information on our selection process can be found on our website.
- Can I receive feedback on my performance at each stage of the selection process?
Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide feedback.
- What should I wear to assessment events?
For face-to-face events, business dress is suitable.
- How many applications do you receive each year for the graduate programme and for how many places/vacancies?
During the last recruiting year we received approximately 4,250 applications for 50 graduate vacancies, 23 Summer Course places and 15 Industrial Placements.
- What’s the company policy on work permits?
For our graduate, summer and industrial placements schemes, we are unable to consider applications from candidates without the current right to work in the UK. However, in certain circumstances, e.g. for those who wish to apply for our Geoscience or Chemical Engineer positions, we may be able to consider applications from candidates who do not have a current right to work in the UK.
Business Areas and Functions
- What functions do you have vacancies in?
All our vacancies are advertised on our website at www.exxonmobil.com/ukrecruitment.
- Which area is the most popular amongst applicants?
The most popular areas that candidates apply to are Engineering, Gas Power Marketing and Fuels Marketing. If you are considering applying to these functions, it is in your best interests to get your application in as soon as possible.
- Is it possible to transfer from one business area or function to another once I’ve applied?
It’s unusual for graduates to move between functions during the recruitment process unless there are exceptional circumstances or we identify a mutually more suitable functional 'fit'. Once you’ve joined ExxonMobil, we prefer you to develop your competence in the function you join before moving on. However, due to the global nature of the Company, there is ultimately scope to move into any other areas of the ExxonMobil Group.
- Who are your main competitors?
A range of other "blue chip" graduate employers.
- Can you tell me about the sort of work I’ll be doing in x function?
Our Graduate Brochure provides details of the functions within the Organisation, and gives career profiles of recent graduates. These will give you a feel for the types of roles you can expect within ExxonMobil. You can access an on-line copy of the Graduate Brochure on our website, at www.exxonmobil.com/UK-English/HR/Files/136052_ExxonMobil_Bro_07.pdf
Placements and Locations
- Where can I expect to be located on the graduate programme?
We expect graduates to be geographically mobile. You may be asked to relocate to take advantage of the most relevant career opportunities for you. Typical starting locations are shown on our website http://www.exxonmobil.com/UK-English/HR/Community/UK_HR_where.asp
- What influence do we have over our work location?
Initially, the expectation is that graduates will be geographically mobile. It is often desirable to be able to relocate to another site to take advantage of career growth opportunities.
- Does ExxonMobil offer relocation assistance?
Yes, we will reimburse relocation costs i.e. removal of personal effects from home to your new home. In addition, we provide a re-settlement allowance of £2,500. This is in addition to bed and breakfast in a hotel for one month whilst searching for accommodation near your place of work. There is an option to take a £1,500 interest-free loan within 6 months of joining the Company, which is repaid over the first 12 months by equal monthly deductions from your salary.
- Are there opportunities to work abroad?
With international business continually expanding in all business functions the opportunities are even greater. Assignments are offered abroad via our graduate interchange programme with our European affiliates. This programme will provide a 3-5 year graduate excellent opportunities to gain international experience for an 18-month period. Our best performers have the greatest chance to take up one of these opportunities.
If you wish to secure employment with us outside the UK please contact the country of your choice directly or visit our international section on our website http://www.exxonmobil.com/Global-English/HR/recruiting.htm for further information and how to apply.
- Where will I be working on a Summer Placement?
This depends on the function you choose to work within whether it is Refining & Chemicals (Fawley near Southampton) or Production & Development (Aberdeen) or Gas & Power Marketing / HR (Leatherhead). Please see the website for details.
Training
- What’s your policy towards studying for further qualifications?
A career with ExxonMobil promises vast opportunities, continuous challenge personal and professional growth. A diversity of career experiences is guaranteed both in terms of geography and function. Personal Skills development coupled with functional training leads to excellence that is encouraged as standard. To this end you will take an active role in training and career development decisions demonstrating our shared responsibility for your development.
Relevant functional or technical training is provided, often in conjunction with a professional body or institute and leading to a professional qualification. For example, engineers working in downstream business, could work towards accreditation as chartered engineers with their relevant institute: IChemE or IMechE. This can be discussed at face to face interview stage.
These institutes recognise the training offered by the company, and “fast track” accreditation has been developed with the professional body enabling you to get your professional qualifications. Other professional qualifications such as CIMA, CIPD etc may also be considered as part of your overall development. Further information can be provided at the face to face interview.
- What are the selection criteria?
Some of the competency areas we are looking to assess are as follows: Analytical ability, Teamwork, Resilience, Flexibility, Leadership and Business Awareness. These will be measured through a variety of exercises throughout the process.
Other Opportunities
- Do you offer industrial placements?
For penultimate year students we run 12-month industrial technical and commercial placements. Commercial placements are open to numerate students from any degree discipline, however Technical placements are only open to students with an engineering degree. During your 12-month industrial placement you will undertake a role that meets a real business need. We provide both specific on the job training and personal skills development.
- Do you offer apprenticeship/traineeship programmes?
Yes we do. To see our apprenticeship programmes please visit www.exxonmobil.com/UK-English/HR/Jobs/UK_HR_Traineeships.asp
- Do ExxonMobil offer work experience to undergraduates?
For penultimate year students we run an 8-10 week summer placements. Commercial placements are open to numerate students from any degree discipline, however Technical placements are only open to students with an engineering degree. We do not offer 'work experience' outside this particular programme due to the intensity and support required.
- Do you offer sponsorship to students for their academic studies?
No. We elected to fund other major activities within the Higher Education structure through EMETA (ExxonMobil Excellence in Teaching Awards). We prefer that many students benefit rather than specific individuals.
Future Prospects
- How will my career progress during and on completion of the graduate programme?
The graduate programme equips you with the necessary management skills to reach the most senior positions within your business area or specialist field. How far and how fast you progress, both during and after the programme, depends on your performance, drive and ambition.
Other
Our graduate brochure is available on-line via our website www.exxonmobil.com/UK-English/HR/Files/136052_ExxonMobil_Bro_07.pdfor visit your University Careers Service.
- Can you tell me about my likely career progression?
Our Graduate Brochure gives career profiles of recent graduates, and these will give you a feel for the type of career progression you can expect within ExxonMobil. You can access an on-line copy of the Graduate Brochure on our website, at http://www.exxonmobil.com/UK-English/HR/Files/136052_ExxonMobil_Bro_07.pdf
- What is the ExxonMobil Engineering Challenge?
The ExxonMobil Engineering Challenge is an exciting opportunity to work with ExxonMobil staff in a fun and competitive environment. The event takes place over 3 days in two locations. Aviemore, Scotland and Calshot, Southampton. If you are interested in applying, please send an e-mail to uk.recruitment@exxonmobil.com. We will send you more information relating to the event together with eligibility criteria.
Expenses
- If I have to travel to an interview will my travelling expenses be reimbursed?
All reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed - please keep a copy of all your receipts and attach them to the travel expense claim form and forward to the address specified on completion of your return journey. If your only reasonable means of transport to the interview is by air, it is essential that you investigate the price of an economy flight on a budget airline and seek approval for the cost by contacting our recruitment team at uk.vacancies@exxonmobil.com before booking. We recommend budget airlines such as FlyBe, Jet2, or Easyjet.If you require accommodation due to travel constraints, we recommend you make a booking at one of the budget hotels in the area, e.g. The Holiday Inn, The Travel Lodge or Premier Inn etc. ensuring you seek approval for the cost via the Recruitment Advisor. Please ensure that your expenses reach us in a timely fashion, and we will endeavour to make payment within 28 days of receipt of your expenses.
- I have not received my expenses from my interview?
Please contact uk.recruitment@exxomobil.com for further assistance.
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