Frequently asked questions

Take a look at the Apply page of our trainee website, where we list all our available vacancies. Please note we only list vacancies which we are currently hiring for.

You will receive an automated email as soon as we receive your application form.

We don’t generally make exceptions to our academic requirements. However, there may be some flexibility in extenuating circumstances, as stated if this is the case, please detail them on the relevant section of the online application form.

If you want us to consider something that might affect your application, please make sure you highlight this in the relevant section on the online application form or email us in advance and will be able to discuss your requirements on a case-by-case basis.

You will be notified if you have been successful or unsuccessful in our tests. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we are unable to provide you with feedback until the assessment centre stage of the process.

Unfortunately, we do not accept ad-hoc CVs sent directly to our recruitment team, however if the role you want to apply for is not currently open, you’ll have the chance to register your contact details so we can let you know if it does open again in the future.

If you need any adjustments during any part of the online application, online tests or at interview stage, please contact our graduate recruitment team at graduates@smith.williamson.com, we will be very happy to discuss with you how we can make the necessary reasonable adjustments to assist you.

Upon submitting your application you will receive an email inviting you to complete our online numerical and verbal reasoning tests. After completion of these tests we will aim to give you an outcome on your application within 15 working days, however please bear with us between September and January as this is a very busy time. If you attend one of our assessment centres, you can expect to hear back from us within three working days.

Yes, if you are part way through a recognised qualification, we can still accept your application.

Unfortunately, we don’t offer work experience. However, we have a formal summer internship programme for penultimate-year university students. This is a great way of getting a taste of life at Smith & Williamson through to on the job training. For more details, visit our ‘Summer Internships’ page.

We suggest you take the time to really research the business area you are applying to and think about why you are suited to that particular area. If you do change your mind after you have submitted your application, please contact our graduate and trainee recruitment team on graduates@smith.williamson.com 

We can only accept one application to any of our programmes once in a 12 month period. If you are unsuccessful, you will need to wait until the next September when we re-open applications for the following year.

You don’t need to have work experience that is directly relevant to the role you have applied for. However, we recommend that you detail any work experience (paid or unpaid) which you have on your application form.

No, we welcome applications from candidates from any degree discipline. What ever your degree discipline, we do expect you to have a clear understanding of the business area you are applying to and of Smith & Williamson as a company.

If you require a work permit and have any specific questions, please contact the graduate and trainee recruitment team on graduates@smith.williamson.com

As we receive a high number of applications every year, we are unable to provide you with feedback until after your reach the assessment centre stage of the process. If you have attended one of our assessment centres, one of our recruiters will be happy to talk through your feedback over a call whatever the result.

We recruit for all of our vacancies on a rolling basis, so we strongly suggest you apply as early as possible to give yourself the best possible chance of being considered for a role.

The majority of our roles will open at the beginning of September, however we may open up other roles after this time if they become available.

Yes – we’ll make sure you’re not out of pocket. We will reimburse up to £100 for travel expenses to an interview or assessment centre. Travel must be booked as early as possible in advance to ensure the best value for money. If your travel is greater than £100, you must have this agreed and approved in advance by the graduate and trainee recruitment team by emailing on graduates@smith.williamson.com We will not be able to reimburse more than £100 if this has not been done.

We run assessment centres regularly from early October until the spring of the following year. If you are selected to attend one of our assessment centres, you will be emailed to book onto a suitable date and timeslot.

Please contact our graduate recruitment team at graduates@smith.williamson.com, we will investigate the problem and respond to you as soon as possible.

If you get the chance to attend one of our events and meet our employees this is a great way of finding out more about what we do and what it is like to work at Smith & Williamson. We hold a number of events in the autumn; on campus, in schools and at our offices, to find out more please visit our Events Page.

No, as long as you meet our following minimum entry requirements you are eligible to apply.

• Must have or be on course for at least a 2:2 honours degree in any discipline (if a graduate)
• 112 UCAS points (or equivalent) in your top three A-levels (excluding General Studies)
• GCSE English Language and Maths (or equivalent) at a minimum of grade 5 or B

If you are successful in joining one of our programmes they will start on the following dates:

• Graduate – September
• School leaver – September
• 12-month placement – July
• 6-week summer internship – July

Yes, we welcome applications from those who are studying for a postgraduate qualification.

When your training contract ends and you are fully qualified, you are then offered a new contract as a senior. Following this, the aim is for you to progress further in your career at Smith & Williamson to attain an assistant manager position and beyond.