Early Careers Recruitment Coaching …. tailored to you.
Build your confidence and capability for early careers recruitment.
From interviews and presentations to group exercises, written tasks and psychometric tests, I’ll help you understand how selection processes work, what assessors are looking for and how to communicate your strengths.
Whether you’re applying for a Spring Week, internship, placement, graduate programme or degree apprenticeship, you’ll develop practical strategies to prepare for each stage and approach the process with greater confidence.
About me
I am Victoria Sykes, a recruitment and development consultant with over 20 years’ freelance experience in recruitment, assessment and coaching.
For organisations, I design and deliver recruitment and assessment processes, including graduate and degree apprenticeship selection.
For students, I provide tailored coaching to help you understand recruitment processes, recognise your strengths and communicate your skills and potential with confidence.
My coaching draws on extensive experience of what employers and assessors look for, while always respecting the confidentiality of my clients and their recruitment processes.
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I hold professional qualifications in recruitment, assessment, psychometrics and project management, including:
BPS Levels A & B – Psychometric Assessment
Hogan HDS – Personality Assessment
Saville Wave – Personality and Workplace Assessment
PRINCE2 – Project Management
These qualifications support a rigorous, evidence-based approach to assessment, development and coaching, underpinned by extensive practical experience.
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Worked across a diverse range of sectors with organisations including global profressional services and accounting firms, , Nissan, Audi, BMW, Sky, British Airways, NPL and the University of Manchester
Delivered recruitment and assessment projects spanning Early Careers, experienced hires and leadership populations
Experience designing competency, strengths-based and inclusive assessment approaches
Extensive work in capability and skills framework design, including developing best-practice guidance for inclusive language and assessment
Experienced in working with assessors and hiring managers, supporting consistent and effective approaches to candidate assessment
Worked across the full assessment lifecycle, from selection strategy and assessment design through to delivery and evaluation
My aim is to make the recruitment process feel more manageable, build the confidence to succeed at each stage, and ultimately help candidates secure the early-careers opportunities they are aiming for.
How I can help …
The modules below cover the key areas where support is often needed.
But, everyone is different, so your coaching is tailored to your needs, goals and learning style. We can work through all the elements of every module, or just focus on one or two areas.
Each module combines expert insight, practical exercises, discussion and guidance to help you understand and apply what you learn.
See 'Key Information' for more details and costs, and please get in touch to discuss your programme.
Getting Ready to Apply
Together, we can plan your job search, understand what employers are looking for and present yourself effectively. We will:
Research roles and companies
Understand recruitment processes
Plan application deadlines
Build your personal skills profile
Create a strong CV
Set up an application tracker
Confidence in Communication
Together, we can develop the confidence and communication skills you need to express yourself clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing. We will:
Practise professional introductions
Articulate interview question responses clearly
Structure interview question responses
Improve written communication during selection
Adapt to different audiences
Build presentation confidence
Psychometric Testing
Together, we will look at the psychometric tests that employers use - ability and personality; why they are used, and how to prepare effectively for them. We will:
Explore ability tests - e.g. numerical, verbal, logical
Practise situational judgement tests
Understand how tests are scored
Develop techniques for timed tests
Identify useful practice resources
Learn how to approach unfamiliar questions
Interviews
Together, we can help you understand what to expect in an interview, prepare effectively and communicate your strengths clearly. We will:
Explore different interview and question types
Understand competencies
Identify what assessors look for
Prepare relevant examples
Structure strong responses
Practise with mock interviews
Additional Selection Exercises
Together, we will understand the different selection exercises; how you can prepare, and how to demonstrate your capability through them. We will select the exercise/s relevant to you:
Understand group exercise techniques
Develop effective presentations
Approach case study exercises
Learn how to adapt to different written exercises
Understand how exercises are assessed
Prepare for full assessment centres
Key Information
We will take a tailored approach to build a coaching programme based on your needs. This will reflect your goals and aspirations.
One hour of coaching will be £50 + VAT.
For students under 18, consent from a parent or person with parental responsibility is required before coaching begins.
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All coaching is delivered via Zoom
Sessions are not recorded
Coaching materials and resources are provided digitally where appropriate
You should join from a suitable, private space where you can participate comfortably
Reasonable adjustments can be discussed to support individual accessibility needs
A reliable internet connection and suitable device are recommended
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Coaching is normally available Monday–Friday, 9am–5.30pm
Out-of-hours coaching can be arranged with a 10% price uplift
Payment is required in advance to confirm your booking
Please provide 48 hours' notice to cancel or rearrange
Where less notice is given, I will do my best to rearrange where possible; repeated late cancellations may incur a charge
Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice may be charged in full
If I need to rearrange a booking, I will provide as much notice as possible and offer an alternative time
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Coaching is designed to build understanding, skills and confidence for early careers recruitment
I cannot guarantee a particular interview, offer or job outcome, as recruitment decisions are made by the employer
Reasonable adjustments and accessibility needs can be discussed when you first get in touch
Coaching can be adapted to suit individual needs, learning preferences and circumstances
We can adapt the approach where circumstances or requirements change
Any adjustments to the planned content or approach will be agreed collaboratively
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Personal information is handled carefully, securely and respectfully
Information shared during coaching is treated as confidential
Personal data is processed in accordance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
Information is only shared where necessary and appropriate, including where there is a safeguarding concern
Coaching is delivered via Zoom and is not recorded
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Appropriate safeguarding arrangements are in place for students under 18
Parent or person with parental responsibility consent is required for students under 18 before coaching begins
Professional boundaries are maintained throughout all coaching and communication
Safeguarding concerns will be responded to appropriately and sensitively
Confidentiality is respected, with information shared where necessary to protect a student or others
Read our Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
Get in touch
Send me an email with any questions, and I will get back to you within one business day.