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Kantar Graduate Scheme

Kantar Graduate Scheme

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What Is Kantar?

Kantar is a leading global consultancy company providing data and evidence-based, actionable suggestions and insights to its clients.

Its expertise includes:

  • Advertising, media and PR
  • Analytics
  • Brand growth
  • Customer experience management
  • Sustainability
  • Innovation
  • Research service
  • Policy and society

It has two billion data profiles from 90 markets to help clients understand how people think, act and feel, allowing them to develop and grow their products.

Kantar’s primary industries are:

  • Automotive and mobility
  • Consumer packaged goods
  • Energy and utilities
  • Finance
  • Fashion, beauty and luxury
  • Government and public sector
  • Hospitality, leisure and travel
  • Life sciences
  • Media
  • Retail
  • Technology and telecoms

What Are the Benefits of Working for Kantar?

As part of the graduate scheme, you can expect:

  • Paid holidays
  • Employee referral scheme
  • Life assurance
  • Pension scheme
  • Private healthcare
  • Private medical insurance
  • Regular salary
  • Product discounts

The amounts and specifics will depend on the country you work in.

Kantar Graduate Opportunities

Kantar offers graduate opportunities across all its areas of expertise, particularly research, client services, consulting and technical.

It advertises its graduate jobs in the fall/autumn and conducts assessment days in the spring, with the roles starting in September.

It typically recruits 1,000 or more graduates per year across its global network. The most common locations being:

  • US
  • UK
  • China
  • Czech Republic
  • Germany
  • Japan
  • Spain
  • South Africa
  • Singapore
  • Thailand

The programs take 12 to 24 months to complete, depending on the expertise you choose.

What Are the Requirements For the Kantar Graduate Scheme?

As the recruitment process takes a year, Kantar advises that you apply while you’re still studying.

The minimum requirements for each program are detailed in the job description, but a degree in a related field is expected.

You should also have the right to work in the country you are applying in.

Kantor also recruits those without degrees for entry-level roles and apprenticeships – again, check the job description for details.

Kantar Recruitment Process

Online Application

The first stage is an online application that simply involves submitting your resume.

Behavioral Assessment

The next stage is the Arctic Shores Gamified behavioral assessment.

It is in a game-based format set in an office environment, with nine available levels.

It measures 33 personality and cognitive traits that are difficult to assess through standard personality questionnaires.

While this format sounds quite intimidating, research shows that the immersive nature of the assessment reduces anxiety and allows candidates to fully showcase their fit in a role.

Video Interview

Stage three is a video interview.

This method of recruiting is becoming more popular, as it allows recruiters to see how you carry and present yourself without the need to travel for a face-to-face interview.

You will be expected to answer three to five questions with a third-party interviewer via Cammio.

You will not receive the questions beforehand, and you will not have long to deliver your reply.

Kantar Graduate Scheme
Kantar Graduate Scheme

Assessment Day

The final stage of the recruitment process is the assessment day.

Usually in the spring or summer, the assessment day will include a series of activities, including:

Current graduate employees will also attend these days, allowing you to ask questions and network.

Key Tips For Getting Hired at Kantar

Step 1. Passing the Initial Application Form

Find keywords from the job description and put them in your resume.

Kantar will likely put your resume through automated software designed to pick out skills and keywords (known as an applicant tracking system).

The more connected your resume is to the description, the greater the chance of being invited to take the assessments.

Step 2. Passing the Online Test

Some tips include:

  • Research all you can about the Arctic Shores gamified assessment and try any free online tests you can find.

  • Take the time to work through other personality and psychometric tests. They may not be in a gamified format, but they will give you a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.

  • Practice your numerical and abstract reasoning skills.

Step 3. Passing the Video Assessment

Deliver your answers using the STAR method:

  • S (situation) – Describe a recent situation you were in that relates to the question
  • T (task) – State what you were trying to achieve
  • A (action) – What the possible solutions were, and which one you took
  • R (result) – What was the outcome? And what did you learn?

You won’t have long to formulate a fully cohesive answer. But delivering it in this format will help you to focus and show the interviewer you can think under pressure.

Some other tips include:

  • Write the acronym on a sticky note and attach it to your computer where you can see it.

  • Ensure your grooming and clothes are professional and elegant. It may be via a video, but your recruiters will be looking at how you present yourself.

  • Spend some time on the Cammio Candidate Support Area and work through the practice scenarios.

Step 4. Passing the Assessment Day

Some tips include:

  • Review how an assessment day works so you know what to expect.

  • Work through common interview questions and prepare your answers in advance.

  • Have all the information you think you’ll need with you – a list of questions you want to ask, a few extra copies of your resume, a pen and paper.

  • Use this assessment day as an opportunity to network. At the end of the day, send emails to everyone you spoke to, thanking them for their time.

  • Look the part. With so many potential recruits, assessors will be looking at every detail, so ensure your clothes are clean and pressed, and your grooming is to a high standard.

General Tips

  • Research the company – Anything newsworthy, values, missions, new initiatives and developments, and any campaigns they have worked on.

  • Complete your digital sections in a quiet location, with a strong internet signal, and where you won’t be disturbed.

  • Test all your equipment before your appointments.

  • Don’t leave anything to the last minute – Prepare ahead of time and book your sessions as soon as you receive the booking links.

  • Plan to do something you like after each stage, so you have something to focus on, other than the recruitment

Final Thoughts

Recruitment drives and assessment days can be stressful, especially if it is your first time applying for a professional job.

Take the time to properly research Kantar and prepare as much in advance as you can.

Explore forums to get advice from other applicants and learn as much as possible about each step.

Remember, your recruiters want you to succeed, and they are looking for future leaders. All the stages are designed to identify your best qualities, so don’t be afraid to show your abilities.


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