Early careers
How to apply
Found the programme that’s right for you? Here’s what comes next:
Apply
Fill in our online application.
But first read our tips.
Interview
If we like your application, we’ll do a video interview.
Discovery Day
This will be an all day session, split into a number of different activities and interviews (with breaks!).
Accept
Once we’ve met the candidates, we’ll make our decisions.
How it works
We welcome applications from all universities and are proud to be an inclusive employer.
For all global positions, applications are received online via CV and covering letter, then reviewed and responded to by a member of the Early Careers team. If you are a good match you’ll be invited to a video interview with one of the Early Careers Team and, for engineers, a coding test.
This is followed by a Discovery Day, featuring a group exercise, and culture and technical interviews. The Discovery Day is your chance to meet us, ask any questions and help us explore your interests and experiences.
Specifically for the United Kingdom, Barcelona and Singapore:
If your video interview and coding test (for Software engineers) is successful, a Discovery day will follow. A Discovery Day, will feature a group exercise, as well as culture and technical interviews. The Discovery Day is your chance to meet us, ask any questions and help us explore your interests and experiences.
Specifically for Shenzhen:
Following a successful video interview (and coding test for Software Engineers) you will be invited to a virtual technical and cultural interview.
The application
Applications are read by real humans! A member of the Early Careers squad will review your application, looking at your answers and CV.
If we like what we see, we’ll be in touch to arrange an interview. If you’re applying for an Engineering role you’ll be asked to complete a coding test prior to being invited to interview.
Tips
- Remember to answer all the application questions fully - this is your chance to stand out. We ask the questions because we want to discover more about you than perhaps what your CV might tell us.
Your CV (make sure you highlight your achievements):
- Keep it short and clear
- Match your skills and experience with the job description
- If you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience, include school-related projects or coursework that demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge
The interview
If you are successful at the first stage, we’ll invite you to a 30 minute video interview. It’s all done over Zoom, the online video conferencing software we use.
Tips
- Find a quiet spot with good WiFi or 4G connection
- Be prepared for behavioural, hypothetical or case-based questions that cover your role-related knowledge
- Questions will be open-ended. Make sure you answer the question being asked and if you need clarification, just ask
Discovery Day
The Discovery Day is your chance to meet us, ask any questions and help us explore your interests and experiences.
It will feature a group exercise, a culture and technical interview as well as a networking lunch and a chance to meet some of our current graduates.
See more interview tips below
“Always be curious! Prepare a few questions for the interviewer as it can give you an upper hand - it can help display your genuine interest in the role you are applying for and Skyscanner in general.”
Jonas Djondo, Graduate Software Engineer, 2022
The discovery day
** Note that this format applies to most of our locations. You will receive more details alongside your invitation to attend.
The Discovery Day will be an all day session, split into a number of different activities and interviews (with breaks!). It is your chance to meet us, ask any questions and help us explore your interests and experiences. It will feature a group exercise, a culture and technical interview as well as a networking lunch and a chance to meet some of our current graduates.
The morning session consists of a 75 minute group exercise followed by a short presentation and Q&A.
In the afternoon, you’ll have two individual interviews. One will be a cultural interview and the other will be more focused on the role you have applied for.
What does the group interview involve?
You will be split into groups of 4. You will be given a typical scenario that our staff may have to deal with here at Skyscanner. You will then work through the exercise with your group and present your ideas and solutions to your peers in a 5-10 minute presentation including a Q&A.
What does the business specific interview involve?
You will be given a typical problem that our staff at Skyscanner might face. You’ll then work through the problem with your interviewer, using the whiteboard, talking them through your thought process to get to a solution.
What is a culture interview?
This is a chance for us to get to know more about who you are. It’s a bit like your initial Zoom interview but this time we’ll dig a little deeper into your answers. It’s also a chance for you to learn a bit more about the culture here at Skyscanner.
Is there anything I need to prepare?
There is no advance preparation required. Your interviewer will talk you though the group exercise and interview exercise. If there’s anything you are unsure about, just ask!
What should I wear?
Whatever you like! We’ve a very relaxed culture at Skyscanner and our dress code is casual. Please come to your interview in something you feel comfortable wearing.
The decision
After the interviews are done our team will meet to review and discuss each candidate at each interview stage. This is overseen by the Early Careers squad to ensure there is consistency across the process.
Once a decision has been made, a member of the Early Careers squad will be in touch. We will provide feedback to all candidates at this stage.
If you’re successful, a member of the Early Careers squad will contact you directly to let you know. Next we’ll get your contract ready and send it out asap.
We’ll continue to keep in touch until your first day in the office and if you’ve any questions, let us know.
Our top tips for interviewing
- Predict: You can guess a lot of the questions you’ll be asked, like “Why do you want this job?” and “What’s a tough problem you’ve solved?” If you can’t think of any, Google “most common interview questions.”
- Explain: We want to understand how you think, so explain your thought process and decision making throughout the interview. Remember we’re not only evaluating your technical ability, but also how you approach problems and try to solve them. Explicitly state and check assumptions with your interviewer to ensure they are reasonable.
- Clarify: Many of the questions will be deliberately open-ended to provide insight into what categories and information you value within the technological puzzle. We’re looking to see how you engage with the problem and your primary method for solving it. Be sure to talk through your thought process and feel free to ask specific questions if you need clarification.
- Improve: Think about ways to improve the solution you present. It’s worthwhile to think out loud about your initial thoughts to a question. In many cases, your first answer may need refining and further explanation. If necessary, start with the brute force solution and improve on it - just let the interviewer know that’s what you’re doing and why.
“At our Discovery Day, there are no right or wrong answers, and no bad questions. We want to hear your ideas and process but we want to give you space to ask about the work, the team and the culture as well!”
Chelsea Tessendorf, Early Careers Senior Executive
