We want to get to know you and to see how your values align with ours. To help you get off to the best possible start, we've put together some tips to help your application stand out from the rest.
Presentation
- Always ensure your application is tailored to the role. It’s easy to spot when someone has just copied and pasted key details from a generic application.
- Always do a spell-check to avoid typos.
- Be as concise as possible and use clear, simple language.
- Try to present your application in a creative way. Does it engage the reader and make them want to find out more about you?
Content
- Get to know our business. Can you explain in a simple sentence what Baillie Gifford do?
- Demonstrate passion for your hobbies and interests, regardless of what they are. Even if you don’t think your obsession with model trains is relevant, we want to hear about it!
- Talk about your work experience and part-time jobs, whether they are in our industry or not – often you’ll have gained valuable transferable skills.
- Show us you recognise the character traits and values required for the programme you’re applying for, as well as the relevant knowledge you have gained.
- Don’t be afraid to comment on experiences that did not go well. Not everything has to be perfect and often the best life lessons come from our mistakes.
- When you’ve finished your application, ask someone you trust to give you an honest opinion on it.
Key skills
- Show us your willingness to learn and develop – we’re looking for a growth mindset.
- Give us examples of how you’ve been proactive and taken on new things.
- Share examples of extra responsibilities outside your studies.
- Show us how you’ve had exposure to a range of people and experiences.
Top Tips for Interviews
Time-keeping
Don’t be late – arrive at our offices in plenty of time or if we are meeting you virtually, log-in five to ten minutes before the interview start time. Test the meeting link in advance to make sure it works on your computer.
Research
Do your research on Baillie Gifford. We’re keen to find out what you know about the firm, the position and what interesting things come up in your research. Don’t just repeat our own website back to us. Use what you’ve learned to show us you’re interested in the firm and what we do (but this doesn’t mean you need to be an expert in investment management!).
Take a moment
Take your time when answering questions and don’t feel like you need to jump in. Interviews can be nerve-racking, and we appreciate that. Don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer to re-phrase a question if you don’t understand what they’re asking. If you don’t have an immediate answer, it’s okay to take a moment to think about it.
Your experiences
Feel free to talk about all of the experiences that demonstrate your skillset, interests or opinions. These could be from your academic studies, voluntary roles, part-time jobs or just your general interests and passions. These things will often spark more interesting discussions in an interview.
Giving examples
Don’t forget the ‘what’ – when giving your examples. What have you gained from your experiences? What skills did you develop? What did you learn? What would you do differently?
Be honest
Remember you’re applying for a training programme and we don’t expect you to know or have done everything. We’re really looking for the potential in you, so if you don’t know something, don’t worry – be honest.
Unexpected questions
Sometimes we will ask you unexpected or abstract questions that have no connection to Baillie Gifford or investment management. Don’t worry about preparing for these in advance as there is often no right answer - we are more interested in how you formulate a response. It’s an opportunity to show us your thinking on matters outside of our industry, and we’re keen to hear what you enjoy talking about.
Asking questions
Even if you’ve found out a lot of information through your own research, have some good questions prepared for your formal interview and informal team sessions. We’re looking for curious individuals and by asking us questions you’re giving us an insight into how interested you are in the position and the firm.
Your individuality
Finally, be yourself and show us your individuality. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not or what you think we are looking for. We’re genuinely interested in hearing about you, what you enjoy doing and what’s important to you.
Keen to find out more? View their profile here.