We’re a digital business, driven by data, and using technology to create new services that transform customer and colleague experiences. Join this structured, year in industry programme and you’ll build the skills, knowledge and experience you need to embed the learnings at university into practical work experience but also understand where you may want focus on post-graduation.
Right from the start, you’ll contribute and work on a variety of real projects using new agile techniques and technologies. You’ll be able to increase your IT stack and business knowledge, developing competences in a range of IT and data languages. All whilst working as part of a strong team of tech minds across our function.
You’ll be partnered up with one of our technology teams focusing specifically in DevOps.
Where you’ll be based
You’ll be based at our fantastic Bexhill office which is close to the seafront in East Sussex. We’re committed to hybrid working, so you’ll have the flexibility to work some days in the office and some days at home.
Starting your career at Hastings Direct gives you the chance to make your mark in an ambitious, rapidly growing and digitally driven business. A company that genuinely cares about you as an individual, respects your opinions and listens to your ideas. One where you can make a positive difference, because you’re encouraged to look for growth opportunities and achieve your full potential.
During your placement, we’ll give you the experience and technical knowledge to start and progress your career. We’ll provide you with a nurturing and challenging environment to help expand your horizons, develop skills and make new connections.
Most of all, you’ll find all the support you need, from people at every level, so you can fulfil your ambitions. From managers who are approachable and supportive, to colleagues who are always ready to help each other out.
Our one-year placement programme is designed to give you experience within our DevOps team.
This team operates under Agile methodologies and the teams collaborate closely to employ an iterative and incremental approach that enables us to deliver value quickly and efficiently to our customers. By prioritising customer needs, we ensure that our development process remains guided and purposeful.
By the end of the placement, you’ll have a strong understanding of how our teams work together to enable the business to thrive. You may also be on track to gaining your first graduate role.
Our team is responsible for creating and maintaining automated systems that deploy applications to our environments, both test and production.
The work enables Hastings to update its applications and release new ones at a faster pace than ever possible before working in the cloud.
We work closely with stakeholders (like Security, Operations and Maintenance) from the beginning to ensure all requirements are considered. We achieve our aims by:
This approach ensures efficiency through reuse and automation, consistency, reduced risk of human error, and avoids delays.
Over the one-year programme, you’ll gain extensive practical experience working on our core projects enabling our digital transformation working across all aspects of the software development lifecycle; supporting and delivering high quality software changes across Hastings Direct’s systems and platforms. It’s a great way to discover how technology supports every aspect of our business and to develop wide-ranging technical skills and understanding.
From the moment you join us, we’ll make sure you have access to a wide variety of opportunities for both personal and professional growth.
To support your technical placement, we can offer access to our training resources to supplement your practical learning. You’ll be able to tailor your learning pathway to match your career ambitions in technology. You’ll also have the opportunity to network and meet others in similar programmes across the business.
And our inclusive, supportive culture means you’ll have a strong support network around you. From leaders to mentors, buddies to our Early Careers team, you’ll always have someone you can talk to about anything. From your future career at Hastings Direct, to where to get a coffee!
We look for a combination of technical and personal skills, so you’ll need to be:
Qualifications
Currently studying a Computer Science degree (or similar)
Interests
Passionate about technology and coding
Behaviours
Naturally curious and keen to learn and innovate
Collaborative, with strong communication skills
After each stage, we’ll let you know if you’ve made it to the next one and what to expect. If you haven’t, we’ll be happy to give you feedback.
Select the appropriate programme on our careers site. Click apply, create an account, answer the required questions, and submit your CV.
After completing your application, you’ll receive a link to our online assessment. The assessments vary by programme and will focus on your cognitive ability and role fit.
We will review your application and assessment results to ensure you meet the criteria for moving to the next stage.
The activity will depend on the programme. It aims to understand your practical knowledge and skills through an online video interview, technical assessment, or both.
From producing case studies and giving presentations, to group and role-specific tasks, this is your chance to shine.
If you’re successful, we’ll offer you a place on one of our programmes and call you to talk through the details.
Absolutely! If you meet our eligibility requirements, everyone is welcome. We suggest that you also speak with your Leader to help support with your application.
Unfortunately, we are currently unable to sponsor visas for our graduate programmes. You will be asked to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK during the selection process, and you must maintain and be able to demonstrate your right to work throughout the duration of your employment with the Company.
If you do have immigration permission (e.g. a graduate visa), this visa must cover you for the two or three-year programme and you’ll need to provide evidence of your course completion from your university before your starting date.
Yes, however throughout the recruitment process we may give you the advice that you're better suited to another programme - we always have your best interests at heart.
Yes, if you can demonstrate your suitability for the role through relevant work experience, projects or modules throughout your degree or additional skills and interests.
Yes – age is just a number although we do ask that applicants have graduated within the past two years or are due to graduate this academic year.
Yes, so long as you meet the minimum requirements for the programme you’d like to apply to, and we do ask that applicants have graduated within the past two years.
This will depend on the programme you are joining. We do typically ask that you are within commutable distance to one of our offices so you benefit from in-person support when you join, further information on which office can be found within the job advert.
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. We can make adjustments and offer support throughout the recruitment process to ensure that you have the best chance of success. Furthermore, if you are made an offer, we can then discuss with you the adjustments you might need to get on with the job and develop your career.
Please refer to the recruitment process to find out more about the different stages during the recruitment process which will help you identify whether you will need any support or adjustments at any stage. Please contact us to discuss any support you may require at recruitmentteam@hastingsdirect.com.
Adjustments vary depending on the specific needs or circumstances of the individual and the best way to identify the most suitable adjustments is for us to speak with you, which will allow us to determine what adjustments would be most appropriate.
Examples can include additional time, breaks, adjustable font sizes and subtitles on videos.
Please contact us to discuss any support you may require at recruitmentteam@hastingsdirect.com.
We’ve moved back to face-to-face assessment centres. You’ll be asked to attend an in-person assessment centre, in one of our offices in either Bexhill (East Sussex) or Leicester.
We will advise you of the scheduled dates for your programme nearer the time so that you can keep the date free.
Our early careers programmes start in September each year.
If you have immigration permission that will allow you to complete your two or three year programme, you must provide evidence of your course completion from your university before your starting date.
Are you ready for a graduate programme with a fast growing, digitally-focused insurance company? A business with huge ambitions to be the UK’s best and biggest digital insurance provider?
An organisation that focuses on profitable growth that’s truly sustainable, by doing the right thing for colleagues, customers, the community and the company – our 4Cs? Somewhere that celebrates openness and diversity by encouraging you to be yourself? And was named the UK’s #1 Best Big Company to Work for 2024?
Are you ready for a future with Hastings Direct?
Recruitment for our graduate and placement schemes will open on Monday 6th January 2025.
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