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Frequently asked questions

General

• How many International Graduates do you recruit every year?
• How can I apply for the International Graduate Programme?
• Does it matter if I don't have a background in finance?
• Do I need any work experience?
• Will Standard Chartered apply for a work permit on my behalf?
• Will I get the opportunity to travel and work overseas?
• When would I start the programme?
• Do you allow successful applicants to defer their offers?
• I've applied for the International Graduate Programme before. Can I apply again?
• Can I apply for opportunities in a number of countries?
• If I'm successful in the online application process, what attributes do you look for when screening for interview?
• If I'm not based in the country I apply to, how do I attend the interview?
• Do you sponsor graduates for MBA programmes or other further education?
• What's the deadline date for applying?
• Can I update the personal information on my application?

Technical

• What browser version do I need to take the SHL numerical reasoning test?
• Are there any other important settings I need to take the test?

How many International Graduates do you recruit every year?
We recruit around 350 International Graduates globally.

How can I apply for the International Graduate Programme?
You must apply online - we do not process applications received in any other format.
Apply now

Does it matter if I don't have a background in finance?
Not at all. We welcome applications from people with a variety of degree disciplines. Our main concern is that you display the talents we're looking for, and you're enthusiastic about making a difference at Standard Chartered.

Do I need any work experience?
No, work experience is just one of the many factors we consider. We also look at your talents and skills - you may have gained these through other life experiences, such as travel, study, research or community activities.

Will Standard Chartered apply for a work permit on my behalf?
No, we don't arrange work permits on your behalf. As a minimum requirement for the International Graduate Programme, you must be legally entitled to work full time in the country to which you're applying.

Will I get the opportunity to travel and work overseas?
The programme will give you an immense amount of international exposure. Typically, an International Graduate experiences broad, meaningful rotations in their home country while they learn about their market. When they graduate from the programme, we help them consider their options and facilitate a number of exciting international moves.

When would I start the programme?
Start dates vary by business function and country, depending on the business needs and your availability. The majority of International Graduates start in June - August each year. However, if you can start earlier, you can discuss this during the interview process. All 2009 International Graduates must be in position by 1 September 2009 – this is the official start date for the programme.

Do you allow successful applicants to defer their offers?
While we would like to encourage graduates to be flexible in their start dates, we don't usually offer deferments. However, you can discuss this with your recruiting manager.

I've applied for the International Graduate Programme before. Can I apply again?
Yes, you can reapply, but only if your previous application was in a different recruitment cycle. A recruitment cycle starts in September and ends in the following March. If you sent more than one application within the same recruitment cycle, your applications will be invalid.

Can I apply for opportunities in a number of countries?
No, you can only apply to one country. However, if you hold work permits in a number of countries, we may consider your application for another country if your first choice is full.

If I'm successful in the online application process, what attributes do you look for when screening for interview?
We look at your application as a whole and we select candidates for interview based on a number of criteria. We are looking for evidence of specific strengths you have demonstrated through your interests, extracurricular activities and other life experiences. We are also interested in your motivations and what interests you about a career in banking, your chosen field and, of course, Standard Chartered.

If I'm not based in the country I apply to, how do I attend the interview?
The first round of interviews will be conducted over the phone. If you are not travelling to the country you have applied to, we will organise all your interviews to take place by phone or video link. Alternatively, you may be interviewed in the local office where you are based e.g. if you are in the UK, you may be interviewed in the London Headquarters.

Do you sponsor graduates for MBA programmes or other further education?
Currently we don't have a global policy for sponsoring graduates to undertake further education. Typically, these requests are reviewed case by case, based on business need and the individual. We do, however, sponsor graduates joining our Finance function to undertake the ACCA Level 1. We also sponsor graduates joining Wholesale Banking to undertake CFA Level 1.

What's the deadline date for applying?
You can apply online from September each year. However, we encourage graduates to complete their online application as soon as possible. We review each application on receipt and make offers throughout the year. We don't leave it to the last minute and nor should you!

Can I update the personal information on my application?
Yes, your profile can be updated. Just log in with your user id and password and select Change Contact Details. You have two chances to check and change your details before submitting your application. You will also be asked to check your application once you have successfully completed the talent and numerical assessments. If there are any problems, send us an email.

What browser version do I need to take the SHL numerical reasoning test?
The following hardware and software is recommended by SHL:

• 56 Kbps or faster Internet connection (28.8 Kbps minimum)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer® web browser versions 5.5 and 6.0
• computer with a keyboard and mouse running Microsoft Windows® 98, NT 4.0, 2000, or XP
• AOL® 9.0 in conjunction with Microsoft® IE 6.0 running on Windows XP

The following browsers are not currently certified, although you may be able to use them (but this is not recommended):

• Netscape 4.78 or 6.2.3 (Note: Netscape® versions 6.0 and 6.1 are NOT supported)
• AOL® versions 4.0, 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0 running on Windows®

We're sorry but the test can't be accessed from an Apple Macintosh machine.

You can upgrade your browser software free of charge from the supplier's website:

• http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com - for Microsoft Internet Explorer
• http://home.netscape.com/download/index.html - for Netscape Navigator

Are there any other important settings I need to take the test?
The test is run using Macromedia Flash software. In order for the test to work, the following browser options need to be installed and enabled:

• Macromedia Flash Plug-in v7.0 or later
• Active Scripting (or JavaScript)
• ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins

If you have an older version of Macromedia Flash, SHL will automatically prompt you to upgrade when they launch the test. The upgrade is available as a free download from the supplier's web site:

Macromedia Flash

Pop-up blockers and firewalls
If you have disabled any pop-up window blocking software or firewalls, this may prevent the test window from launching or downloading successfully. University or company networks may have restrictions in place so you should check with your Systems Administrator before trying to alter your PC/browser settings or take the test on a private network.

If you are unsure if you have a pop-up blocker installed or active, visit the following site for confirmation:

http://www.popuptest.com

If you are running pop-up blocking software, we recommend that you disable this before launching the test again.

Other settings to check
If you continue to experience problems or the test download is hanging on the 50% progress bar, we suggest that you try the following:

• Open Internet Explorer
• Go to Tools, then Internet Options
• From the General tab click Delete Cookies and click on the Delete Files button (make sure that you also tick 'delete all offline content')
• Click on the Settings button and make sure that 'Every visit to the page' is checked under 'Check for newer versions of stored pages'
• Click OK to return to the Internet Options screen
• Click on the Security tab at the top of the screen
• Make sure that the Internet icon is highlighted and then click on the Custom Level button
• On the Security Settings page, choose Medium-Low from the dropdown box at the bottom and then click the Reset To button
• Click on OK to return to the Internet Options screen
• Click on the Advanced tab in the top right-hand corner of the Internet Options screen
• Click the Restore Defaults button on this page
• Close down Internet Explorer and reopen a new window
• Try relaunching the test

If this fails, press the F5 function key on your keyboard while holding down the Ctrl key to force it to refresh.

Java download problems
You must have Java to take the SHL test. If you can't download it (maybe you're using a university computer that does not allow downloads) then you will have to take the test on another machine - in an internet café, for example.