This section of the site is for those graduating this year, and recent graduates with a couple of years of work experience who are considering applying to SQW for a position as a research consultant.
Welcome!
This page has been written by some of our recent graduate recruits, and aims to answer some of the questions you may have about working for SQW.
An overview of our company
SQW is a leading consultancy working in the specialist field of economic development with offices in Cambridge, Edinburgh, Leeds, London and Manchester. We work in teams of consultants which will typically be led by a Director or Senior Consultant and managed by a Senior Consultant or Consultant. Research Consultants provide a research input role on the teams.
Our work is project-based and can vary considerably in length, nature and location. For example, one project may require quarterly economic progress reports, which would consist of one consultant spending a day compiling and analysing information every three months. Another may be an in depth project evaluation which could last over three years and involve a team of ten consultants.
All our consultants generally work on several projects at any one time and gain a range of experience across different policy areas. Our clients range from central government departments to small local councils to partnerships of several organisations. Most of our clients are public sector organisation, although we sometimes work for private companies.
The role of a Research Consultant
All new graduates are recruited as Research Consultants and typically work in a number of different market areas in order to gain a breadth of experience – e.g. Science and Technology, Skills and Employment, or Regional and Local Economic Development. Initial assignments may typically include background research, design and analysis of surveys, telephone and field interviewing, report writing and contributing to discussions and presentations in client meetings. There are opportunities to make a real contribution early on. Within a short period of time, research consultants are given responsibility for whole tasks within projects, such as survey management and literature reviews.
An introduction to some of our current graduates
Personal profiles of some recent graduates can be viewed by clicking on the names below.
Useful questions answered
Our most recent recruits have contributed a series of questions based on the things they wanted to know about SQW before joining the firm.
Is there a Graduate Development Programme?
Yes, although the structure of the programme is quite flexible. When graduates join the company they immediately get involved in providing research support for current projects.
Office Managers help to ensure that graduates have a reasonable workload, achieve their progress targets and are given skills training as well as being involved in work that is both interesting and challenging. Most offices also provide a mentor for graduates to provide more informal support and advice. Graduates have an individual review after six months and then enter the annual appraisal process, with all other staff. This is an opportunity to make sure that you are on track in your career development.
We also have an informal Graduate Action Group. This group is a discussion forum for new graduates across the firm and is co-ordinated and led by research consultants who meet informally to share best practice and address training and career issues.
What training will I get?
Research Consultants need IT skills and be relatively confident in using MS Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint and SPSS. You will also need to reach a high standard in presentation and report writing skills. If you already possess these skills then you will be well equipped for the work we do. Don’t worry if you haven’t yet acquired all of these, as SQW offers training courses to bring you up to standard in all of the skills areas mentioned above.
What is a typical day in the office like?
This is difficult to define but the answer would be that it is always different and very rarely predictable! The majority of a Research Consultant’s time would usually entail conducting desk research and analysis. Some time would be spent on the telephone and sending/replying to emails or in meetings with other members of the consultancy team.
How often do you get the opportunity to travel?
Not every day is spent in the office and most Research Consultants will be given regular opportunities to attend client meetings, events, conferences, site visits, carry out face-to-face interviews and help facilitate workshops.
How independent are you in your work?
As a Research Consultant you will always be part of a consultancy team and will spend most of your time working independently on completing research tasks. You will always have a project manager, who will usually be a Senior Consultant, and they are always very approachable and helpful at every stage. Our offices are all either open plan or shared offices and therefore colleagues are able to share and discuss work with each other within a supportive working environment.
What were your responsibilities when you joined and what are they now?
To begin with we were given responsibility for sections of research work which could be small surveys and contributing to chapters of reports. With experience you will increasingly take on a management role leading survey teams, giving presentations, writing proposals and compiling reports.
What experience and interests do I need to have in order to join the company?
It helps if you have previous experience of working or work-shadowing in the areas of economic development, planning, or education within the public sector. It is important that you have a general interest in public sector policy and economic development. You may also have special interests (e.g. in innovation, training etc.) which can be developed as you gain experience.
What are the working hours like?
Realistically, on an average day, most Research Consultants will work from 9 o’clock until 6 o’clock (with a lunchbreak). Longer hours will occasionally be required to complete work by a deadline.
When are you likely to be promoted?
SQW recognises that the progression from Research Consultant to Consultant is gradual and there is no defining moment when your responsibilities will markedly change but you will be promoted when you are ready to manage projects. Broadly we expect Research Consultants to be promoted to Consultant level within two years of joining the firm. The company looks to recruit highly motivated and aspiring team workers who want to excel in their personal and career development.
The recruitment process
What we are looking for
We look for high levels of academic achievement: good grades at ‘A’ level and a first class or upper second class degree. We generally recruit graduates with degrees in economics, geography or politics but also sometimes those from different backgrounds – science, environmental resource management or business if that individual can demonstrate a real interest in our work. Personal attributes are harder to define, but would typically include an open personality, an agile mind, a real interest in economic development, personal resilience and a willingness to travel within the UK. Applicants must have good analytical skills and are fluent in presenting results, both verbally and in writing.
When to apply
Applications are welcome all year round. We do not use application forms. Consultants have to sell themselves and their colleagues to potential clients in order to win assignments, so we would prefer to see how you present yourself in your CV. Please write or email with your CV and a brief covering letter to gradrecruit@sqw.co.uk, our Graduate Development Manager. Please say if you would prefer to work in our Cambridge, Edinburgh, Leeds, London or Manchester office.
For details of any specific current opportunities, please see our Current opportunities page.
The interview process
Once we have received your CV we will contact you to let you know if we would like to invite you to attend an interview. Applicants are usually invited to attend two rounds of interviews. You may also be asked to submit a piece of written work. The interview process varies but could involve a problem solving test or presentation and several interviews with people that you would work with in the future. This will give you the opportunity to see the office, meet the people and discuss any further questions you may have about SQW and details about the job. We would then make contact with you by letter to let you know if your application has been successful.