Graduates FAQs

What is your graduate recruitment process?

We accept applications from a number of sources including applications made direct to us (via email, post or on-line applications) or via university careers fairs and presentations and through the university careers service.

All applications are carefully reviewed and we will write to you as soon as we can concerning the status of your application. If we are unable to take your application further at this stage, we will let you know as soon as possible.

The next stage is an initial interview.

If you are successful we will invite you to attend one of our Assessment Centres. We aim to make our decision as soon as we can and to advise you of this as soon as possible. Our decision at this stage will fall into one of three categories:

We intend to make you an offer
We have other candidates to review and we will put you on ‘hold’ but let you have a definite decision as soon as we can
You were not successful on this occasion

What sort of person are you looking for?

There is no ideal candidate because everyone is different and has different skills to offer. As a minimum you will have or be expecting to graduate with a minimum 2:1 BEng/MEng.

It would also be an advantage if you have had any relevant work experience and/or if you have a second European language.

Where can I find out more about Ricardo?

You can find out more about us by visiting our main web site www.ricardo.com We have close links with a number of universities and you can talk to your tutors and career advisors.

Which university do you recruit from the most?

With have links with a number of key UK and European universities (see ‘Ricardo @’) but ultimately we aim to recruit the Right graduate for Ricardo.

What is expected of me at an Assessment Centre?

We want you to feel comfortable and relaxed with yourself while you are with us. We know and appreciate that you will be naturally nervous so we try to put you at ease, so we can see and assess you in your best light. You will be asked to give a short technical presentation (you can choose from a short list of subjects). There will also be a technical interview which is designed to show your strengths and skills. However, we also want to give you an idea of what it would be like working for Ricardo so you will be able to meet our managers, engineers and recent graduates on an informal basis.

Why should I work for Ricardo?

Well, apart from the technology, location, people, social aspect, career advancement, opportunities... Maybe the question should be "Why shouldn't I?".

Will I get any support?

When you join Ricardo, we will provide you with a dedicated mentor, who will look after you during your initial employment with us. He/she will be a Chartered Mechanical or Electrical engineer and will meet with you regularly to discuss your progress and achievement with the company, signing off your accredited training programme on a quarterly basis.

Tell me about your accredited training schemes?

We have accredited training schemes with both the IET and the IMechE and you will be provided with a dedicated Mentor from your profession. Your Mentor and your manager will work with you to develop an individual training plan to help you work towards achieving your Chartered Engineer status and to develop your long term career with Ricardo.

Is there much opportunity for me to travel abroad?

Opportunities do arise, but it is dependant on work load, your availability, client requirements, your desire to travel etc. Although we are recruiting specifically for our UK and German divisions, our success means that there will be greater opportunities to work abroad in the future, e.g. at Ricardo Inc. in the USA or in China, France or Italy.

What about the social side?

Ricardo is a very social company. We have a number of sports clubs including, football, golf, sailing and scuba diving. As you can imagine, we have very active Motor clubs at both our Midlands Technical Centre and Shoreham Technical Centre in Sussex. We are also keen to encourage our graduates to get involved in a number of other regular activities including the Italian Job (Charity Rally), the Industry Sailing Challenge and the Soapbox Derby.

General queries