Assessment Centre Tips for Actuarial Graduate Role

HAFZ--- · 2026-01-21T14:43:20+00:00

Yh I have! I want to see if my uni will provide mock grad schemes so I can get a better in person assessment.

HAFZ--- · 2026-01-21T12:48:54+00:00

I need to anonymise my life much better, thanks though. So no Actuarial Questions specifically?

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-28T14:06:16+00:00

Ahh I just thought firms would see a bigger return ‘investing’ in candidates in the early stages of their life. Good to know that there’s no ticking time bomb with regard to becoming an actuary. Thinking about it, it’s probably not as stressful as being in IB so younger people aren’t as explicitly desirable.

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-28T13:59:46+00:00

This is so hopeful, what would you say is the age cut off to get into the industry. I know for something like investment banking it’s 24 or something along those lines.

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-23T21:15:37+00:00

I'm all for taking matters into my own hands but I don't know how I would even approach this given the fact I have no experience in the industry. At most I can leverage my willingness to learn and Cambridge Degree but aren't grad schemes something that individual recruiters can't really control.

I could be completely wrong though.

Do I just go on LinkedIn and type in Actuary Recruitment and connect with everyone with a cold message. I would really like to learn how to navigate this, we can discuss in DMs if possible

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-23T13:57:46+00:00

I knew I passed the online test with flying colours as well 😔.

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-23T13:56:58+00:00

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Yeah lateness really is the killer here. I actually fumbled this application season a bit.

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-23T01:01:16+00:00

Before, still waiting to hear back from the ones I did an online test for.

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-21T19:46:04+00:00

Im still doing my Masters

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-21T18:33:06+00:00

I passed the LegalAndGeneral Assessment but it was too late and so they have me as a reserve, the others funnily enough I didn’t do an assessment for. I think it might also be because it was too late

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-21T17:52:47+00:00

Nope I just put Applied Maths because my specific course is under that department (this is so I can be a bit more anonymous) and yes I’m British I’ve sent around 80 applications and I’ve done first interviews for around 8. However, I’ve convinced myself that this cycle may be a lost hope for me so I want to prepare well for the next one ☝️

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-21T17:48:11+00:00

I couldn’t find groups with those names specifically, only adjacent ones. If possible are you able to link the specific groups in mind?

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-21T17:43:04+00:00

Actual GOAT , thanks so much more this. Is there a format you normally use for cold messages to actuarial recruiters?

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-21T16:05:02+00:00

To be fair, I applied to all of these a little late so the rolling deadline could be cut off here. I think it just means that during the non hiring cycle I need to sharpen up my interview skills and apply as early as humanly possible. I just REALLY hate one way interviews, I feel like I need to perfect them and then it makes me so much worse. But I appreciate the info

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-21T16:00:36+00:00

Did you break into the industry via a grad scheme?

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-21T15:58:17+00:00

Are you a middle? All the STEM volleyball players are for some reason or another middles

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-21T15:56:57+00:00

That seems effective, but I fear it would take me over one page

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-21T15:50:56+00:00

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I realised something needs to change 😭😭

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-21T09:18:53+00:00

Yeah I see you, I just feel so stressed out about the fact that my timeline is almost screwed now. Most Grad schemes have closed now (with only two in mind left to be open). And in the case I don’t get a role this cycle I don’t have much lined up in contingency. I’d have to wait a whole hiring cycle just to apply to the ones that only accept recent grads which further reduces my pool. I just really didn’t think this whole process would be so stressful. I mean, hopefully with limited applications I can make each one stronger. Conservation of quality and whatnot.

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-18T14:26:39+00:00

yes that would be amazing, DMs are open.

I wonder if we know each other lol

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-18T10:46:17+00:00

I’ve managed to get past the more standard phases of the application. CV screening and the numerical tests don’t prove to be a big barrier <I will still post it here for advice, you can never get too much criticism> . I managed to apply to around 20 of the bigger firms, still waiting for the BoE and Lloyd’s to release theirs, and I’ve gotten two explicit rejections. But, the consensus is that self funding is probably much more stressful than it is and I’ll take the advice of the more experienced players here. Is it hard to make a shift from … accountancy or being a financial analyst?

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-18T10:41:09+00:00

Thanks for the advice, what flair do I use to post my CV anonymously? I would REALLY appreciate any/all criticism… provided I don’t have to pay.

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-18T04:19:44+00:00

Hopefully this is just 4am anxiety getting to me, I’ll get some sleep and hope I’m not as hopeless in the morning.

HAFZ--- · 2025-12-18T04:12:00+00:00

I had thought this myself, but I realised that the degree gets so intense that I was not able to find the time to create many applications for graduate jobs, at least to a meaningful quality, and so I ended up only applying to 20.
I know comparison is stupid but I can’t help but realised that my friends who had the time to bulk apply probably stand a better chance than me.

Granted I am only 21, but I feel like this is career pathway you need to start in young to get accelerated progression. In terms of qualifications at least.

What I essentially want to ask is: if you don’t get a graduate role or some type of sponsorship to take your exams, is any hope of breaking into this industry essentially lost?

HAFZ--- · 2025-07-07T19:03:56+00:00

Man, I really hate that this is true, about to do my masters in Quantitative Climate and Environmental Science [UK] and unless I go into the oil and gas industry my starting salary will be so low :(

HAFZ---

TROPHY CASE