Applications: Part 1 #onlineassessment

Musgrave, along with many other graduate employers, include online assessments as part of our graduate selection process.

We use online assessments as part of our process as these tests are objective and can help predict certain skills that are required for our graduate roles. We receive large numbers of applications for a limited number of roles and we use online assessments to help us shortlist candidates for the next stage of the process.

Online assessments can be used to measure a person’s skills, abilities, attributes and personality characteristics via a test or questionnaire that is provided online. There are many types of tests and we ask our applicants to complete the following as part of the assessment process:

Verbal assessment: This measures the individual’s ability to draw logical conclusions from complex verbal information. You will be presented with a range of written information and will be required to locate the relevant information, and draw logical conclusions from this to answer the questions. The look and feel of the test reflects common office software such as Microsoft Word.

Numerical: In this assessment you will be presented with complex numerical information in tables and charts from which the test taker needs to draw logical conclusions. The look and feel of the test reflects modern office software.

ChatAssess: This is a Situational Judgement Questionnaire in the form of a chat-based app and is best experienced on mobile. This type of questionnaire is used to measure behaviours when given specific work situations. You will be presented with descriptions of real-life work situations and you will be asked: what would you do if faced with this situation? These scenarios reflect the everyday decisions that graduates in Musgrave may need to make, depending on the role. Your responses are then compared to the answers considered to be right actions ‘by subject matter experts’ on the role.

Our Top Tips

  • Ensure you are in a quiet space where you won’t be distracted when doing the assessments. Tell your family and friends not to disturb you.
  • There are websites where you can practice online tests. Formats of tests will vary but it can give you a sense of what to expect. Aon are our recruitment partners and they provide assessment insights on https://assessment.aon.com/en-us/prepare-your-assessment
  • Make use of any practice time you get on the assessment itself and ensure you understand the instructions clearly before starting
  • Do an activity which calms you and makes you happy before starting the assessments to help calm any nerves and clear your focus.
Find your answer in our frequently asked questions.
APPLICATION PROCESS
What do I need to consider before I apply?

Add musgravegraduates.support@aon.com to your email contacts to make sure you receive our application updates

– Make sure your CV is saved in PDF or Word format as other formats may not be supported on our recruitment system

– Are there specific academic criteria for your preferred role? If we are looking for specific qualifications, we will apply these criteria for shortlisting candidates. You may be considered for your second preference if you do not meet specific criteria for your preferred role.

I've submitted my application, what happens next?

We’ll email you within 24 hours of submitting your application inviting you to complete our online assessments. This email will come from musgravegraduates.support@aon.com so make sure you mark this email as safe. Depending on your email filters, it may be directed to your spam folder. Keep an eye on the inbox and spam of the email you used for your application. If you have not received this email within 48 hours, contact us on earlycareers@musgrave.ie requesting this to be resent. This will be resent where applicable within the time-constraints of the application process.

I haven't received details of the online assessments after submitting my application.

This email will come from earlycareers@musgrave.ie  so make sure you mark this email as safe. Depending on your email filters, it may be directed to your spam folder. Some spam folder settings will automatically delete all emails after 30 days. If you have not received this email within 48 hours of submitting your application, or believe that it may have been deleted from your spam folder, contact us on earlycareers@musgrave.ie requesting this to be resent. This will be resent where applicable within the time-constraints of the application process.

When will I find out if I have been successful?

We’ll contact you as soon as possible after each stage of the recruitment process. Correspondence up to the assessment centre stage is through email so please check your email regularly. Depending on your email filters sometimes our email may end up in your spam folder, check this out if you haven’t heard from us and ensure you have marked our email earlycareers@musgrave.ie as safe.

How many graduates do you hire each year?

We’re a fast-moving business and our opportunities change from year to year to meet our business requirements. We typically hire between 10-20 graduates each year.

Can I reapply next year if I don’t get onto the programme this year?

Yes, you can apply the next year if unsuccessful in your application.

GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS
Do I need a specific degree to be considered for Musgrave?

Many of our opportunities are open to graduates from all degree backgrounds. Where we do look for a specific qualification, we’ll specify it in the role description so check out Our Opportunities page. If we are looking for specific qualifications, we will apply these criteria for shortlisting candidates.

How recently should I have graduated?

Our roles are aimed at grads who are looking for their first or second job. However, if you are interested in a career with Musgrave and have more experience you can apply directly for any of our current vacancies on  https://www.musgravegroup.com/careers/

What is the minimum requirement to be eligible for the graduate programme?

Successful applicants must have graduated, or be on track to graduate, with an Honours Primary Degree (Level 8 NFQ). For roles where a specific degree or discipline is specified, we will apply these criteria for shortlisting candidates.

I need a work permit. Are you able to organise that for me?

It is a requirement that you are eligible to work in the Republic of Ireland. If you do not hold an appropriate work permit, regretfully we cannot take your application further. If you are successful in your application with us, we will support the required documentation for future permit application and provide financial support.

Why do I have two role choices on the application form?

We ask for your two preferred graduate roles to understand how you want to develop your career. We’ll consider your application based on your first preference as much possible. We may consider you for your second choice if we feel this would be more suited to your profile or if your academic qualifications do not meet criteria for specific role if required e.g. if you apply for an IT role and you do not hold a relevant IT/technical degree or masters.

THE PROGRAMME
Do I need to know what area I want to work in?

Our graduate roles are designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge to progress to business roles in specific areas e.g. if you join our buying programme, you will work in buying teams for the two years of the programme to gain the experience needed to become a buyer for our leading retail and wholesale brands. We recommend you go through our Opportunities carefully and make an informed decision on which area appeals most to your career ambition.

What's the salary?

Starting salary for roles based in the Republic of Ireland is €31,000 gross per annum and increases after 12 months subject to performance. You are also eligible to a bonus on successful completion of the Programme.

What is the duration of the graduate programme?

The Programme runs for two years, apart from the finance which runs for three years. We hire on a fixed-term contract initially and will work with high performing graduates to provide you with suitable career moves in our business post-Programme.

Will I change locations during the programme?

Depending on your graduate role, you will work in at least two of our divisional headquarters throughout the programme. These may be located in Dublin, Cork or Belfast. Check out our Opportunities to see where the roles are based and whether the role has a geographical rotation. If such a rotation is required, it forms part of your contract.

The majority of our opportunities are hybrid with teams typically working 1-2 days in the office.

What's involved in the Musgrave development programme?

The Musgrave Graduate development programme is a bespoke development programme to support the professional and personal development of our graduates. It comprises in-person and virtual modules over 2 years focused on areas such as personal growth, strategy, financial acumen, project management. You will also receive individual coaching as part of the Graduate development Programme and will work on a business projects which you will present to our CEO and senior leaders.

Can I work remotely?

All Musgrave colleagues in office-based roles have the option to work in a hybrid role, with time spent in the office to collaborate and engage, and time working remotely. We calling this Work Smart @ Musgrave and details will be shared with successful applicants. Typically colleagues will spend 1-2 days in the office per week however it can vary by team.

OTHER
Will I work with specific brands or across the whole business?

Depending on the role, you may work across several brands while on the Programme to give you wide exposure of our business. Details of the brands involved in each opportunity are included in the role descriptions on Our Opportunities

I want to study for a professional accountancy qualification, will you support this?

We support our Finance graduates in studying for the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) qualification via the CGMA Finance Leadership Program provided by CIMA. This is an online learning program, similar in scope and rigour to a master’s degree, that teaches the finance, business, people, and leadership skills needed to succeed in the finance team of the future. All learning, assessments and Case Study exam preparation takes place within the comprehensive FLP platform. Musgrave provides financial support and study leave for our Finance graduates to undertake this study pathway. We do not currently support other accountancy study pathways.

Where can I get more information?

Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook  for regular updates, you can also visit our corporate website to find out more about Musgrave

Are there opportunities to work abroad?

Currently all our graduate roles are based on the Island of Ireland.