Student Opportunities
Take a leap in your career as better futures aren't down to chance.
We're independent. That means we encourage all our consultants to be individuals whilst working collaboratively, to think freely and challenge the way things are done.
Opportunities
We welcome applications from both current students and career changers.
As either a new Trainee Consultant, Summer or Industrial Placement student, it won't be long before you get first-hand experience of our values that underpin everything we do: being friendly, partnering, intellectual confidence and straightforward communication. We provide you with the training, development and support to become successful in your role. You'll work alongside some of the sharpest minds and potentially work with clients from an early stage. Best of all, you'll be in control of how your career develops. We encourage individuality whilst working collaboratively; we won’t pigeonhole you; we want you to make the most of who you are.
For school students, our work experience programme will give you a flavour of all of this!
Trainee Consultant
Final year/Graduates/Career Changers
Our Trainee Consultant programme offers opportunities in different parts of our business, offering a blend of technical and consultancy work.
We'll support you from the start with a thorough induction programme. Here you'll start by coming together with all our new starts for that year to network and develop your people and technical skills.
As part of the programme, you'll study to qualify as an actuary through the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, with the option to study for the Chartered Financial Analyst exams if you join Investment.
You'll receive a substantial study package and work with both your People Manager and Buddy to ensure you're making the most of your potential and progressing your career.
You will also be able to take advantage of our exciting outcome based Consulting Roots Programme, a framework that will help you achieve early in your career. The four main areas covered are; client interaction, building your professional network, gaining commercial awareness and being part of our business development and growth.
Vacancies
| Actuarial | Birmingham, Glasgow, London |
| DC Consulting | London |
| Investment | None at present |
| Life and Financial Services | London |
| Actuarial & Benefits | Birmingham and Edinbugh |
Whilst we have an A Level grade requirement of B and Scottish Higher Grade A in Mathematics, we consider academic results in the context in which they were achieved. If would like to check if your A Level (or equivalent) grades contextually, please complete this short form. This will ensure you are considered contextually. Please see our FAQs section for more detail.
We want to make sure you do your best during our selection process. As a result, please let us know if you need us to consider any specific adjustments to support you, whether these be physical or in relation to neurodiversity.
Good luck and we look forward to hearing from you!
We will be assessing and processing applications as we receive them.
For penultimate year university students
2020 Programme 6th July - 28 August
Our programme will give you exposure to a wide variety of exciting work. You'll 
support and learn from our exceptional consultants who are always willing to help.
You'll work on a project specifically for you that is of real value to us, presenting your
findings to us in your final week. Successful interns may be offered a place on our
2021 Trainee Consultant programme.
Opportunities available;
| Area | Office |
|---|---|
| Actuarial | Birmingham/Edinburgh/Glasgow/London |
| Defined Contribution | London |
| Investment | Edinburgh/Glasgow/London |
| Life and Financial Services | Edinburgh/Glasgow/London |
We want to make sure you do your best during our selection process. As a result, please let us know if you need us to consider any specific adjustments to support you, whether these be physical or in relation to neurodiversity.
Good luck and we look forward to hearing from you!
For all university students.
2020 Insight Days
At our popular Insights Day you'll learn about what we do, experience our culture and meet some of our people.
You'll be able to hear about what they're working on and ask them questions.
Penultimate and final year students
| Office | Date |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | 5 December |
| Edinburgh | 11 December |
| Glasgow | 3 December |
| London | 6 December |
Register your interest here soon.
First years and second year (Scotland) students
| Office | Date |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | tbc |
| Edinburgh | tbc |
| Glasgow | tbc |
| London | tbc |
Register your interest here soon.
Please let us know if you need us to consider any specific adjustments to support you, whether these be physical or in relation to neurodiversity.
For penultimate year university students
2020 Programme 6th July for 9 months
This placement will give you exposure we do in our Specialist team with full support from us.
Opportunities available;
| Business area | Office |
|---|---|
| Specialist team | Glasgow |
To find out what previous placement students have said visit Glassdoor
Good luck and we look forward to hearing from you!
We want to make sure you do your best during our selection process. As a result, please let us know if you need us to consider any specific adjustments to support you, whether these be physical or in relation to neurodiversity.
For school students
2020 Work Experience Week – June/July
Our culture is relaxed and friendly, so you'll feel welcome from day one.
You’ll find out about what we do, learn new skills, and meet some of our people, who love to be asked questions!
We also give you the chance to be innovative and you’ll work as a group throughout the week on a project.
If our core values of friendly, partnering, straightforward and intellectual confidence resonate with you, then we’d love to hear from you.
You will need to have achieved or be working towards a GCSE, National 5 or equivalent in Maths.
Contextualised grading helps us to recruit on your potential. So, by considering factors such as school performance and background, it gives us a fairer and more clear indication of your academic achievements rather than basing it solely grades. To find out more, please click here.
Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed and agreed subject to discussion prior to attendance.
We want to make sure you do your best during our selection process. As a result, please let us know if you need us to consider any specific adjustments to support you, whether these be physical or in relation to neurodiversity.
Applications will open here in February.
What does an actuary do?
An actuary typically predicts future financial results, which are often uncertain. Changes to legislation, demographic trends and the economy all need to be considered. Mathematical work and modelling are sizable parts of the role. The IFoA gives more insight into this career
What do our consultants do?
Our consultants do technical work which focuses on maths and computer modelling. They must think innovatively to find solutions to client problems and communicate these effectively to them.
Their style is collaborative and displays our values of; friendly, straightforward, partnering and confident.
Why choose us?
With a wide range of business areas, clients and an outstanding reputation, there are many stimulating opportunities for career development here. Our independence allows you the opportunity to pursue areas that are of most interest to you, in a truly friendly and supportive environment. Have a look around our website to find out more!
What benefits do we offer?
Core Benefits
Competitive annual salary
Profit share scheme
Family friendly policies; enhanced maternity, paternity and parental leave policies.
Agile working
Opportunities for flexible working
25 days annual leave plus public holidays
Annual profit share/bonus for permanent staff
Birthday leave
Salary sacrifice pension contributions
Private medical insurance
Life assurance
Confidential employee assistance helpline
Permanent health insurance / Income protection
Optional Benefits
Annual leave buying and selling
Additional Life-Assurance
Private medical insurance
Workplace ISA
Dental insurance
Cycle to work scheme
Critical illness cover
Travel insurance
Health screening
Cancer screening
'In-office’ health screening
Payroll giving
Childcare vouchers
Will writing
Technology scheme
Gym membership via Gymflex
Interest free season ticket loan.
What career development opportunities are there?
Our culture is rich in learning no matter what your role. Your People Manager will work with you to ensure your career is engaging and challenging. Your work will be valued and so will you. This is supported by our Wellbeing Group and Mental Health 1st Aiders.
On our graduate programme, you will have IFoA or CFA exams to sit (Investment only). Our study package is generous and your Buddy will be there to provide support all the way.
What qualifications do you need?
For our Trainee Consultant (final year students or individuals who have already graduated), Industrial Placement and Summer Internship programmes (both penultimate year students only) the following minimum entry requirements apply:
Minimum A-Level Maths Grade B, Scottish Higher Grade A or equivalent.
On track to achieve a minimum 2.1 honours degree in any discipline.
You must meet or exceed the minimum entry criteria.
If you have an equivalent qualification to A-Level, GCSE or Scottish Higher, please provide evidence with your application that this meets the minimum entry criteria.
What is contextual recruitment?
Contextualised grading helps us to recruit on your potential. So, by taking into account factors such as school performance and background, it gives us a fairer and clearer indication of your academic achievements rather than basing it solely on A-Level grades (or equivalent). To find out more, please click here.
Do we have an Industrial Placement or Summer Internship programme?
We offer award an winning Summer Internship programme for penultimate year university students in either Actuarial, Investment, Defined Benefit Consulting or Life and Financial Services.
The internship lasts for 8 weeks from the beginning of July. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside some of the most talented consultants in the industry getting fantastic, hands-on experience and insight into an actuarial consulting career. You'll also work on an individual project throughout your internship.
Our Industrial Placement programme is also for penultimate year university students and runs from July to March in our Glasgow Specialist team.
How much time will you need to study for professional qualification?
All our trainees are given one study leave day per week.. You'll be expected to do more study in your own time. In total you should be studying a minimum of 20 hours a week, to give yourself the best chance of passing the exams. Your people manager and study mentor will be there to support you, as well as others in your team and wider business.
How do you apply?
Please do your research before you apply; our business, the programme and longer term career path.
You'll find our current vacancies further up this page, with details of how to apply.
What is our selection and assessment process?
Trainee Consultant and Internship programmes
We want to make sure you do your best during our selection process. As a result, please let us know if you need us to consider any specific adjustments to support you whether that be physcial or in relation to neurodiversity.
1. Minimum entry criteria check
We'll ask you to complete a short application focusing on what you know about us, the programme and a bit on your strengths. This is your chance to evidence the research you've done. Take your time to review our website, come and meet us on campus, at one of our Insight Days or give us a call! Aleks is available on to chat about our Intern programme on 0141 566 7537 or you can call Heather about our graduate roles on 0141 566 7651. Initially, we'll do a minimum entry criteria check and then assess your application fully later in the process.
2. Online Numerical test
We'll email you a link to a numerical test. This will take about 30 minutes to complete. Before you do so, complete a couple of practice tests which can be found online. Example practice tests can be found here Example Practice Tests. You'll be given three days from receipt of the test to complete this.
3. Online Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
We'll email you a link to our bespoke situational judgement test. This will give you an insight into the role and the types of situations that arise. You'll be given three days from receipt of the test to complete this. The SJT will assess your ability to make a judgement about a real life situation and by doing so indicates your potential for the role.
4. Full application form review
Telephone interview
You'll then be invited to participate in a short telephone interview with a member of our friendly HR team. The interview will ask you to elaborate on some of the answers given in your application form in addition to testing your strengths further.
Final interview, analytical and written tests
Successful candidates at telephone interview will be invited to attend a final interview at your preferred office. The practice area you applied for will deliver the interview which will be strengths based for approximately 45 minutes. You will then be asked to complete an analytical test and written test. Finally, you will meet one of our most recent Trainees so you can find out more about life at Hymans and also see the office. This meeting is not assessed.
What is a strengths- based interview?
“Strengths are underlying qualities that energise us, contribute to our personal growth and lead to peak performance” (Brewerton & Brook 2006, Strengths Partnership)
A strengths-based interview is different from a competency based interview. Strengths-based interviews are a fairly new approach that some recruiters are moving towards as a way of finding out what candidates enjoy. While competency based interviews focus on what you can do, strengths-based interviews focus on what you like doing and are more positively worded. Perhaps nothing is more revealing about who you are than what you enjoy doing and this can tell interviewers a lot about your potential in the role you’re applying for.
What to expect from a strengths-based interview
Interviewers in a strengths-based interview will be trying to find out what kinds of activities engage and energise you. This is because when you are using your strengths, you will often perform to the best of your ability and quickly learn new things.
The questions in a strengths-based interview will be designed to identify whether you have strengths in areas which are important in the role you’re applying for. Interviewers may also ask questions relatively quickly in order to get a genuine and spontaneous response from you.
Strengths-based questions may include: ‘What do you do well?’, ‘When do you feel you are most like “yourself”?’ and ‘When are you at your best?’
Preparation
At Hymans we are looking for strengths and potential which are important for our graduate trainee and intern positions:
Consider also the academic achievements and extracurricular activities you included in your application form. Think about what you most enjoyed, and why. When were you most engaged? What did you take most pride in?
Assessing what you most enjoy will help you to clarify what you want out of your career, as well as preparing you for contact with an interviewer who takes a strengths-based approach.
Think about your body language as well. How do you come across when you talk about something you enjoy compared to when you enjoy something less? What do you notice about the tone of your voice and other visible signs that you give off? Interviewers will notice these things.
Last but not least is the fact that we want you to enjoy the interview experience and that’s most likely to happen when you’re being you!
We will be assessing your potential throughout the selection process in the following areas:
- Resilience, self-improvement and job motivation.
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Adaptability & flexibility
- Planning & organising
- Working with others
Every application for all our programmes will receive a response. Due to the very high number of applications we receive and telephone interviews we conduct, we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback to candidates at these stages.
Good luck and we look forward to hearing from you!
Where are our offices?
We have smart, bright, modern and well equipped offices in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.
Do we have other graduate programmes?
We currently offer our graduate Trainee Consultant programme, however, if you are interested in joining us for any other role, you can make a speculative application through the 'Apply Now' tab.
Can you meet our people to find out more?
Do you run any employabilty skills sessions?
Yes, we do. We're going to run a few webinar skills sessions on popular and current topics like effective application forms and an introduction to Situational Judgement Tests. Details of future sessions will be available here in due course.