Insight Student Review

The insight event provided an overview of Savills, its graduate opportunities, and the different areas within the business. The day began with an introduction from a board member and an insight briefing, which gave attendees a better understanding of the company, its values, and the property industry.
Throughout the event, there were several interactive sessions, including “A Day in the Life of our Graduates,” where current graduates explained their roles, responsibilities, and experiences working at Savills. There was also a market update session led by the research team, which highlighted current trends and developments within the property market.
The day involved networking opportunities with employees from a range of pathways across the business, where we were encouraged to ask questions about careers, the graduate scheme, and the skills required to succeed. Additional sessions focused on diversity and inclusion, application tips for the graduate scheme, and an office tour, which provided insight into the company culture and working environment.
On a day-to-day basis, the event consisted of presentations, discussions, networking activities, and interactive sessions designed to give participants a realistic understanding of working at Savills and pursuing a career within the property sector.

It was very inspiring to learn about the wide range of roles available within real estate, from rural surveying and planning to commercial valuation and investment. Hearing directly from the graduates about their journeys into the industry and their day-to-day experiences at Savills was particularly interesting, as it gave a realistic insight into what working in the sector is actually like.
I was especially drawn to the variety within the role, with graduates describing a balance between office-based work and client visits, which showed how dynamic the profession can be. It was also clear that Savills invests heavily in supporting its graduates, particularly through preparation for the APC, which demonstrated the firm’s commitment to professional development.
One aspect that stood out to me was the rotational graduate scheme, where graduates are exposed to different teams such as valuation, capital advisors, and investment over the course of the programme. As someone who wants to gain as much exposure and understanding of the industry as possible, this was something I found particularly appealing.
The Diversity & Inclusion session was another highlight of the day, as it provided valuable insight into the culture at Savills. It was encouraging to hear how the company promotes an inclusive and collaborative working environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and contributing openly. Learning that Savills had also been recognised at the British Diversity Awards reinforced the positive impression I gained of the business and its values.

The insight day helped me further develop my communication and networking skills, particularly through speaking with graduates and employees from different areas of the business during the networking session. Asking questions and engaging in conversations with professionals gave me more confidence in interacting within a professional environment.
I also developed my commercial awareness through the market update and research presentation, which provided insight into current trends and challenges within the property industry. This improved my understanding of how wider economic and market factors can influence real estate and business decisions.
In addition, the graduate application tips session helped me strengthen my understanding of the recruitment process and the skills employers look for in candidates. I learnt the importance of demonstrating motivation, adaptability, commercial awareness and keeping an open mind when applying for graduate roles.
Overall, the experience helped me build confidence, improve my professional communication skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the real estate industry and the opportunities available within it.

The company culture at Savills came across as very welcoming, professional, and collaborative. Throughout the day, everyone was approachable and willing to answer questions, which created a comfortable and engaging atmosphere. Speaking with graduates and employees from different teams showed how much the business values teamwork and communication across departments.
The general atmosphere felt very supportive and inclusive, particularly during the Diversity & Inclusion session, where it was clear that Savills encourages employees to share ideas and contribute openly. It was encouraging to hear about the company’s commitment to creating an environment where people feel respected and valued, regardless of their background, and this was something that really stood out to me and set it apart from its competitors in my mind.
I also noticed that there was a strong focus on development and progression, especially through the support provided to graduates during the APC process and the rotational structure of the graduate scheme. Overall, the culture felt ambitious and professional, while still maintaining a friendly and supportive environment where employees are encouraged to learn and grow.

I really enjoyed the insight overall. It was well-structured and engaging throughout, with a strong mix of presentations and interactive sessions that kept the day interesting. I particularly valued the talks on market research, graduate application tips, and hearing directly from current graduates, as they gave a realistic and detailed understanding of both the industry and life at Savills.
The opportunity to hear about the different areas within real estate and how varied the roles can be made the experience especially interesting, as it helped me see the breadth of career paths available. The networking elements also added to my enjoyment, as they allowed me to ask questions and speak directly with employees from different parts of the business.
That said, I would have appreciated slightly more time dedicated to networking, as it felt like a valuable opportunity to gain deeper insights from professionals across the firm. I would also have liked more discussion around Savills as a wider business, particularly its strategic direction and the areas it is looking to grow in. In addition, more detailed advice on how to stand out during the application process would have been helpful, especially given how competitive the graduate scheme is and the fact that many applicants are already academically strong, highly knowledgeable about the real estate industry, and very open to learning.
Overall, I found the insight very enjoyable and informative, and it further strengthened my interest in pursuing a career in the property sector.

Yes

Keep an open mind, be inquisitive and very willing to learn. Also know about Savills as a business, what differentiates it from its competitors and spend some time looking into and understanding Savills' values