FAQs
Having looked around the site and discovered more about the opportunities at SunGard, you might have questions. In fact, we hope you do. Below, we’ve given the answers to some of the questions that we are asked most often. However if the answer to your questions not here, feel free to email the SunGard Graduate Recruitment Team using our email address in the right hand menu.
Selection Criteria
Applying to SunGard
Interviews and Assessment Centres
Working for SunGard
Training and Career Development
Selection Criteria
What are your minimum academic requirements?
For graduates applying to join in 2012 the requirements are a minimum 2:1 degree (please note that our roles in Quantitative Development are an exception and, for these, a first class degree is required), and 300 UCAS points or equivalent. In calculating UCAS points we only consider a candidate’s 'top' 3 A-level grades and do not count General Studies.
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I don't meet your minimum academic requirements. Will I be rejected automatically?
No. We do occasionally relax these criteria if there are extenuating circumstances. For example, you may like us to consider something that has affected your academic results. On the application form, you’ll find a section that allows you to detail such circumstances.
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I was educated outside the UK. Can I still apply?
Yes. You will be asked to provide full details of your overseas qualifications on the application form. You will need to name the country where you obtained your qualifications, the names of the qualifications, the years in which you completed them and also the individual subjects and grades where applicable. Please provide as much information as possible. Please do not try to convert your academic achievements to the UK system as we will do this for you.
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What do you look for other than good grades in a potential employee?
While your academic achievement is very important, we are also interested in your extra-curricular activities and your enthusiasm to work in the financial services or technology industry and at our company. We want to hire well-rounded people with a passion for our business.
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My degree is not technical. Does this matter?
We encourage applications from all degree disciplines and our graduate recruits have diverse academic backgrounds - ranging from technical and business degrees to the arts. For some roles a degree in a technical or numerate discipline is necessary (see individual role profiles for details) but for others we are happy to consider applications without restriction of degree discipline. For all roles however, we are looking for people with a genuine interest in our business so interest in technology and finance is important.
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If I am applying for a role outside of the UK, do I need to have the relevant language skills in order for my application to be considered?
Yes you will need to be fluent speaking in the local language of the office to which you are applying. For example if you are applying to a role in Stockholm, it is required that you are able to speak Swedish fluently.
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I have already graduated – can I still apply to the graduate program?
Yes - we recruit graduates with work experience as well as people pursuing postgraduate courses. However, if you have previous work experience, you may also find opportunities other than our graduate program of interest and also with a more immediate start date - to view opportunities currently available please visit our Experienced Hire website
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Applying to SunGard
Do you accept applications from graduates who require a work permit?
Candidates for our graduate program (2012 intake) must have the right to work in the country to which they are applying.
The following information relates to the United Kingdom only. If you are a national from, or hold one of the following, you have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship from SunGard. If you are offered a position you will be responsible for maintaining your right to work in the UK once you have joined us.
British citizens
EEA national (excluding Bulgaria and Romania who will require sponsorship)
UK ancestry
Those who hold the right to reside in the UK indefinitely e.g. Indefinite Leave to Remain
This list is not exhaustive and if you are uncertain of your right to work in the UK without sponsorship from SunGard please review the UK Border Agency website for more information www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
UK Border Agency rules state that employers should only offer sponsorship to new recruits, where they have proved that they are unable to recruit from the UK or EEA labour market. As we generally receive a high number of high calibre applicants for our graduate campaigns, it is unlikely that we would not be able to fill our positions with UK or EEA nationals
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Are you still accepting applications?
Yes – applications to the 2012 Programme are now open. The deadline is 29th February 2012 however early applications are encouraged as the roles tend to fill up quickly.
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What is your stance on deferred applications?
We would not encourage you to apply if you think you will take time off after finishing your studies. Currently, we do not offer the opportunity to defer your application.
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How do I decide which area of SunGard to apply to?
The program navigator on our website is designed to make it easy for you to compare your location preferences, qualifications and interests with the opportunities on offer this year with SunGard. Give it a try. Of course, there are other ways to decide: you can come and meet us at events at your college/university. To find out when we will be at your campus, please look at our online Campus Calendar. You may also find it useful to speak to SunGard employees who are alumni from your college/university.
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Must I have relevant work experience to be considered for a position?
If you are applying for our full-time opportunities, then relevant work experience although not essential, would certainly be an advantage. For our summer internship program, we do not expect applicants to have relevant work experience.
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Can I apply for more than one role?
For the graduate program we request that you submit one application only by applying to the role of most interest to you. If after the initial assessment of your application we believe you may be better suited to an alternative role, we will contact you to discuss the options available to you.
If you are applying for the internship program, you should make an application for the Summer Intern Program at a specific location, such as London or Oxford. When completing the application process, you will have the opportunity to select a first and second choice role. For example, you can select both Marketing and Banks at the same time.
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Do you have a Summer Internship Program? If so, how can I apply?
Yes, we do run very successful summer internship programs at the Undergraduate and Graduate level. These placements are for 10-12 weeks during the summer vacation period. Please note our internship roles will be advertised towards the end of this year so please keep an eye on the website.
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Do you have an MBA Program?
No, currently we do not have any specific programs for MBA level candidates; however, we do hire MBA graduates into SunGard as experienced hires. Please review the SunGard careers site for experienced hires for details of current opportunities.
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Once started, can I save my application and return to complete it at a later time?
Yes you can – and we strongly recommend that you save your application as soon as you are offered the option to do so, otherwise you risk that the system will time you out and you will lose your work so far. From when you first begin your application, you have 30 days in which to complete and submit it – after this time, the application if not submitted, will expire.
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Interviews and Assessment Centres
If I am successful in my application, what can I expect during the interview process and how can I prepare?
If you are successful in your application, you will be invited to complete a set of online tests. These will assess your numerical and verbal reasoning skills and upon successful completion of these you will be invited to the offices for interviews. The first round of interviews consists of two competency-based interviews (or one competency-based and one technical-based if applying for a technical role). If you are successful in your first round interviews, you will be invited to the Assessment Centre - this involves a full day visit to our offices to complete a variety of exercises including: competency-based interviews conducted by our Senior Managers; a case study/presentation activity and a group activity.
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Is feedback provided for candidates who are unsuccessful in their interviews/assessments?
Due to the high volume of applications that are received during campus season, it is not possible to give feedback at application stage or after first interviews. There is however, the opportunity to request feedback after participating at an Assessment Centre.
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At which location are the interviews and assessment centres typically held?
The details of the assessment location will be communicated to you when your interview or assessment is scheduled. In most cases first round interviews are generally held at the office of application, however there may be times you will be required to visit a different office to the one you have applied at.
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You have invited me to your offices for the purposes of interviews or attending an assessment day. Will my travel expenses be covered?
SunGard will reimburse reasonable travel expenditure incurred while attending first round interviews and second round assessment days. Once you are invited to an assessment event, the recruitment team will advise you of our travel expenses policy.
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Working for SunGard
Where will I be based?
This year we will recruit into a number of different offices within the UK (Canary Wharf, Oxford, Cambridge and Chertsey). Use the program navigator to search for opportunities by location.
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What will my starting salary and benefits package be?
In addition to very competitive market-related salaries that are reviewed annually, benefits for new graduates can include:
A sign on bonus to help get you off to a good start in your new professional life
Private medical and dental insurance paid for by the company
A season ticket loan from the company so that you can buy your annual travel-card straightaway, but pay for it in monthly instalments
travel insurance – coverage for both work and personal travel
25 days paid annual leave
You might not be thinking about your retirement just yet but we also offer a contributory pension scheme so that investing in your future starts now
Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, a free information, support and counseling service
Opportunities for travel - working for an international company means opportunities to work with colleagues and customers in many different countries around the world, where and how often you travel depends on your particular role
A discretionary annual bonus, again based on performance
“Dress down” Fridays where we start the day with a free breakfast in the SunGard cafeteria overlooking the River Thames
Please note: the above benefit details are indicative of those provided in the UK and are for reference purposes only and do not constitute a contractual undertaking.
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What is the dress code?
Whether you should follow a business casual dress code or formal business attire depends on which particular business you work in. However, when attending business meetings with visitors or customers, your attire should reflect that of the individuals with whom you are meeting.
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What is the work culture like?
Visit our ‘How we work’ site to find out more about what our employees do and think about us.
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Will I get the chance to travel?
This depends on the business area you join. Some business areas require you to commit to up to maximum of 75% travel time. Typically, travel is around 10% to 15% of the time but is always dependant on business needs.
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Are internal transfers/temporary assignments to other offices possible?
Due to the global nature of our business, postings are possible although not guaranteed. As opportunities arise, you can be considered.
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Training and Career Development
What sort of training does SunGard offer new hires?
People who join us benefit from a rigorous and structured development program, which is reinforced through on-the-job training and further development opportunities. Training is tailored to each business area and many business areas have developed mentor programs to smooth the transition period for new employees to help them manage their careers.
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What is the typical career path at SunGard?
There are no prescribed career paths at SunGard - your career depends on you. Once you are settled, you will quickly gain real responsibility and decision-making will be swiftly transferred to you. That means you'll contribute to the business from the start. We encourage you to take full advantage of all the training and development opportunities available and take responsibility for your future.
Our aim is for you to see your career within SunGard as scalable. If you join us, you will not be part of an organization where everyone is the same, but a diverse, changing company with opportunities you might not even have thought about yet. That’s why we don’t plot your exact course – we leave that to you.
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What sort of appraisal system does SunGard have?
You and your manager should regularly review your key job responsibilities and your goals/targets for the year ahead. Your manager will be responsible for carrying out objective goal setting, development planning and an individual formal appraisal with you at least once a year. This is designed to ensure that you have an opportunity to discuss your past and future performance and put in place suitable plans for your learning and growth. It will also assist SunGard in making accurate and objective assessments of you, particularly with regard to compensation reviews and your future development.
In addition to this formal appraisal process, you can expect to receive informal feedback from your manager on a regular basis. You should feel free to talk to your manager at any time about your performance or any other aspect of your job.
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