Careers Service Code of practice

This Code of Practice for the process of graduate recruitment has been agreed by:

  1. The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services
  2. The Association of Graduate Recruiters
  3. The National Union of Students

for the process of graduate recruitment

Employers will:

  • Make available material to give students an objective picture of their organisations and the relevant jobs within them.
  • Offer equality of opportunity and avoid in their literature or in their application forms for employment in the UK any reference that might be construed as unfair discrimination.
  • As a matter of courtesy notify careers advisory services, in advance:
  • If a direct approach is being made to any academic department for recruitment purposes.
  • If the employer proposes to use the services of a recruitment agency.
  • Be flexible and provide alternative times and dates for selection activities where these dates may clash with exams and the other important academic or recruitment/selection activities. This is to ensure the needs and requirements of students, academic departments and the other employers are recognised.
  • Be flexible in the setting of deadlines for the acceptance of offers. Short deadlines may limit the ability of students to make informed decisions and prejudice the recruitment activities of other employers. This in turn may lead to students accepting offers and then reneging on them.
  • Pay reasonable expenses for off campus interviews, always making it clear before interview if such payment will not be offered.
  • Manage students' expectations by promptly communicating to them which stage of the recruitment process their applications have reached, including those that have been successful.
  • Agree referees with the candidate and not seek references from a person not so designated without the candidate's agreement.
  • Indicate clearly to the candidate and to the referee whether or not the offer is conditional on the reference.
  • Clearly explain the terms and condition of service in offer letters, and state whether or not an offer is conditional on degree level, medical examination, etc.
  • Recognise that both the offer of a post and its acceptance form a contract unless conditions are attached to either.
  • Offer compensation to a student if an offer is withdrawn after acceptance when conditions, if any, have been met.
  • Be objective and impartial in their relationships with Career Advisory Services and avoid entering into arrangements with careers services that might be construed as undermining their impartiality.
  • Ensure that the provisions of these best practices are also complied with by any agents who act on their behalf.
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