How to Apply for the Bord Bia International Graduate Programme

Step 1: Submit your application

When applications open in September, follow the link to our online application portal. Here, you will be invited to share your CV, some information on your academic background, and answer some short questions on your interests and motivations for applying to the International Graduate Programme. You will have until the end of October to apply, but we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis so it’s always good to get yours in early!

Tip : Your CV should be tailored to the Graduate Programme you are applying for. Make sure you can demonstrate your relevant skills and interest in the Irish food and drink industry.

Step 2: Psychometric and Language Assessments

If you have passed our initial screening, we will invite you to sit some online psychometric assessments by December. We want to get a general sense of your personality and how you like to work as well as your word meaning, numerical, and spatial reasoning skills.

If you have indicated that you have a second language, we will also invite you to a language assessment to test your fluency. We want to ensure that your language skills are sufficient to communicate with your colleagues and external parties if successful on the programme.

Tip : Sit the psychometric and language assessments in a quiet room free from distractions and ensure you give yourself plenty of time, i.e. on the bus home from college might not be the best location!

Step 3: First Round Assessment Centre

If your profile and CV seem to be a good fit for the programme, we will invite you to a first-round online assessment centre which will be taking place throughout the month of January. This will last approximately one hour; you will meet with a panel from Bord Bia/UCD Smurfit to complete a presentation or written task before getting into some competency-based questions.

Tip : Prepare to have some examples of challenging situations you have encountered to help in answering the competency questions and don’t forget the STAR technique. Demonstrate your market knowledge and food industry passion to really impress!

Step 4: Second Round Interview

You’re nearly there! If you have made it this far, we will be excited to welcome you in-person into the Bord Bia offices to have a final round interview. This will include a short presentation and discussion on yourself, your interests and experiences, with some competency questions also.

Tip : Be yourself! Interviews are daunting but don’t let nerves impact your performance. Prepare to a certain extent but let your natural personality, motivations, and passion shine through.

Step 5: Accept your Offer

If successful, we will be delighted to offer you a place on the Bord Bia International Graduate Programme! The process is extremely competitive so you should be proud to have received one of the 35+ places from thousands of applicants. Now you can sit back, relax, and get excited to start the programme in June.

For more details on the application process timelines and to apply for the programme, see our website here .