UK Shell Graduate Scheme – Application Process and Salary Guide for 2024

Shell is one of the biggest energy companies in the world, and it is no surprise that it has an incredibly diverse range of roles available, from internships and early career opportunities to jobs for experienced professionals and its globally recognised Graduate Scheme.

Shell’s Graduate Programme is generally available to graduates who have recently completed (or, in some cases, about to complete) a university degree or equivalent.

If you are interested in graduate opportunities at Shell, read on to find out more about how the application process works and how you can prepare for the interview and assessments you may be required to take.

Choosing the UK Shell Graduate Scheme

Shell’s graduate scheme is a three-year programme designed to bridge the gap between studying and professional life by offering graduates across many disciplines the opportunity to take part in a structured development programme, within their chosen area of interest/expertise.

There are a number of different paths available for graduates joining Shell across these distinct business areas:

• Global Functions (this includes the Shell HR Graduate Scheme)
• Commercial
• Technical
• Trading and Supply

The SGP is available to graduates in countries across the globe, including:

• United Kingdom
• United States
• Poland
• Hong Kong
• China
• Australia
• Canada
• India
• UAE
• Germany
• Netherlands
• Malaysia
• Qatar

For those living and working in the UK, Shell has offices located in both London and Aberdeen.

Members of the graduate scheme at Shell should expect to gain the following from their three-year programme:

• Learning through job rotations, practical experience, formal training, coaching and developing skills to overcome daily challenges within the sector.

• A tailored development plan, which will be a collaborative effort between you and your line manager. This unique plan is designed to track and monitor your learning and benchmark your progress as you advance through the scheme.

• End of programme assessment, which, as expected, happens upon completion of Shell’s three-year graduate programme. Here, your work, performance and achievements are evaluated. If you are found to have performed well and achieved the necessary outcomes, you may be offered the opportunity to continue your employment and commence the next phase of your journey with Shell.

What Are the Salaries for the UK Shell Graduate Scheme?

Both Shell internships and the Shell Graduate Programme are paid. Salaries reported online range from upwards of £27,000 per year for graduates working for Shell in the UK. This is likely to vary based on location and the specifics of the role.

In addition to the Shell Graduate Scheme salary, other compensation is available to employees, including bonuses and schemes.

Employees at Shell are able to access benefits and rewards, including:

• Pension
• Shell share ownership plan
• Healthcare plan and dental insurance
• Wellbeing programme
• 24/7 support helpline
• Employee development and paid education opportunities

Application Process for the Shell UK Graduate Scheme

The deadline applications is usually December. Shell recruits on a rolling basis.

This means that it will review applications as they arrive and begin shortlisting candidates that fit its criteria on a first-come-first-served basis, rather than waiting for the deadline to pass. As such, you are encouraged to be organised and get your application in as soon as possible.

The framework for the Shell graduate recruitment process is as follows:

Stage One: Apply Online

Search for a job with Shell via its website. Here, you can make a Shell internship application or apply for the graduate programme, as well as looking for early careers opportunities or browse advanced jobs for experienced professionals.

Once you have applied online for a job at Shell, you may be progressed onto the next stage of the Shell Graduate Programme application process.

Stage Two: Virtual Job Try-Out and On-Demand Interview

This part of the interview process is designed to immerse you in a virtual experience where you can try out the job role.

This is done through a series of simulations where you can expect to:

• Be challenged
• Demonstrate your problem solving abilities
• Share your story
• Reveal your approach to work

After the simulation exercises are complete, you will move onto the on-demand interview phase. Here, you will have time to prepare and record answers to a set of five questions.

You are able to pause and save your progress, however, it is important that you complete the on-demand interview within seven days of receiving your invitation.

This part of the hiring process should take around 40 minutes in total.

Stage Two: Final Assessments (Virtual)

Here, applicants are expected to complete a virtual Shell Graduate Programme case study session with the help of two real Shell employees.

This portion of the recruitment process does require some reading and preparation, however, all of the information and materials that you require will be given to you in advance.

Graduate scheme applicants also have to complete a virtual interview with the same pair of employees they worked with in the previous round.

Here, the goal is to further your insight into how everything works at Shell and to allow the employees interviewing you to get to know more about you.

Before the assessments start, applicants will be shown a video that contains important information about Shell as a company and life as a Shell employee. It is important to concentrate here and try to retain any key information that you may require later.

Stage Three: Job Offer

If you successfully complete stages one and two of the programme, you can expect to be offered a place on either the Shell Graduate Programme (SGP) or Shell Assessed Internship Programme (SAI), depending on what opportunities the company has available to you.

If you earn a place on the SAI, you can expect to benefit from hands-on training. Upon successfully completing your training, you may get the opportunity to receive a Shell Graduate Programme employment offer.

Successful applicants to the graduate programme should expect an intake date that falls within the months of:

• February
• May
• August
• November

Intake dates may vary between countries and territories, with some countries offering roles over the four months and some providing opportunities only in specific months.

For details as to when you should expect to commence your graduate programme in the UK, you should pay close attention during the recruitment process or ask the hiring manager for clarification.

Shell Application: Example Questions

You can expect to be asked some core competency based questions in your Shell Graduate interview, such as:

• Describe a time that you had to ask for someone’s feedback or advice? What did you learn about yourself from this?
• Describe a time when you changed someone’s opinion? How did you approach this?
• Explain a time when you have overcome a challenge? What did it teach you?
• Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a conflict? What did you learn?
• Tell me about a time you overcame, or promoted, diversity in the workplace? What did that mean to you?

Also, prepare to answer traditional interview questions such as ‘Why do you want to work at Shell?’ or ‘What do Shell’s values mean to you?’.

You might consider using the STAR method to keep your answers focused.

Be succinct and relevant; focus should be on the quality of your answers, rather than quantity. Demonstrate knowledge of the company wherever possible and give solid examples that back up what you are saying.

Preparing for the Shell Graduate Programme

As we have discussed, the Shell Graduate Programme is open to students and graduates across a broad range of disciplines, however, Shell does have some basic Shell Graduate Programme requirements to be able to accept candidates:

• Applications are encouraged from students who are in their final year or have recently graduated from a recognised university.
• For some technical roles, a master’s degree (or equivalent) may be necessary. This varies between countries, and you can refer to the company website or advertisement for details.
• Applicants who wish to go into roles within Commercial or Global Functions need a bachelor’s degree (or widely recognised equivalent).

Shell Values

When applying for a job or graduate programme, it is important to do some research about the company you are applying to. This means learning about the company’s mission, values and culture.

The core values at Shell are:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Respect for people

Understand the Role

Try to take note of all the particulars about the graduate scheme you are applying for, including the qualifications, experience and personal attributes required.

Be prepared to discuss your goals and how they align with Shell’s values, purpose and objectives (such as its targets around achieving net zero emissions by 2050).

Prepare for the Shell Assessments

You may have to undertake some assessments as part of the Shell Graduate Programme process. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the format and contents of these assessments. They are often game-based.

Draft model answers to potential interview questions, especially competency-based questions.

These are different to skill-based questions and focus on how you handle situations, resolve conflict, work as part of a team, etc. – refer back to the company’s values and goals often in your model answers but only when it makes logical sense.

Be Organised and Have a Plan

As the company prioritises respect, honesty and integrity, it is important that you know what you want from the scheme and can talk about how you plan to enrich the company. Here, it is important that you come across as authentic and believable, so make sure you have planned out what you want to say.

Shell’s website goes into detail about what it is looking for in its graduates, as well as what applicants can hope to gain in return for the opportunity.

If you are required to answer any competency or behavioural based questions, be sure to share some solid examples that reinforce what you are saying.

Reflect on the reasons behind your application, what makes you unique and what you can bring to the role that others cannot.

Stay Calm and Focus

Interviews and assessments can be nerve wracking and may make you feel stressed and anxious. To be successful, you should try your best to stay calm, composed and focus on the task in hand.

Before completing your application, interviews or assessments, ensure that you get adequate sleep, are hydrated and practise self-care. You will not perform well if you are distracted by being hungry, tired, thirsty or overly anxious.

If you are thoroughly prepared and know what to expect from the Shell recruitment process, you should feel more confident and ready to take on the challenge.

Consider Using the STAR Method

Shell has been known to assess candidates based on the STAR method of interviewing so, if possible, try to structure your answers following the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This should help you to focus and get across all of the information that you need to, while leaving out anything unnecessary.

Remember CAR

At Shell, it uses the acronym CAR to describe certain criteria that it will be assessing your answers against.

It stands for:

• Capacity – This refers to your cognitive and creative abilities to learn, problem solve and make judgements.
• Achievement – Shell wants enthusiastic applicants who can demonstrate a ‘can-do’ approach to tasks.
• Relationships – Effective teamwork is a critical part of being a successful cog in Shell’s wheel.

As a graduate, you may have limited work experience but you can still think of ways to demonstrate times you have shown these attributes during class projects, volunteer work or extracurricular activities.

Ideal applicants will have examples of CAR selection criteria either already on their resume/application or will be ready to talk about them at the interview.

Get Technical

Finally, do not let technical issues damage your chances of acing your Shell interview or assessments. Make sure you select a quiet, well-lit location with a reliable internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

To stand the best chance of getting a place on the Shell UK Graduate Scheme, you need to check the credentials required to apply for the role, get your application in early and take time to prepare for the assessments.

Shell focuses on diversity, teamwork, honesty and integrity, plus the company has big plans for a greener future for our energy.

Shell wants to know that, as part of its graduate programme, you plan to thrive in the key areas that mean the most to it, so make sure you give this impression at every opportunity as you progress through the various stages of its recruitment and training process.