At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our design team to enhance user experiences and collaborate on innovative projects.
- Company: Autotrader, the UK's leading automotive marketplace with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: £30,000 salary, share options, 28 days holiday, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Enjoy a hybrid working model and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in design while making a real impact in the automotive industry.
- Qualifications: Graduates or soon-to-be graduates with a passion for design and technology.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
About Autotrader
You’ve probably heard of Autotrader, but do you know what we’re all about? We're the most trusted, most visited automotive marketplace in the UK. A heritage brand and a tech innovator. We bring together vehicle buyers and sellers to give them real choices. Cars may be what we're best known for but we’re also the place for pretty much everything else on wheels, from e-bikes to caravans. In the automotive world, change is a constant, that’s why we take our job of untangling the complex car-buying journey very seriously.
At our core, we’re all about people. We go our own way while embracing diversity and celebrating our differences. We dedicate ourselves to the idea that we work better together. Autotrader is a beautiful, surprising and vibrant place to work. We might not be for everyone, but we could be perfect for you.
About The Job
We’re looking for a Graduate Experience Designer to join our Product & Technology community in Manchester. As part of the Design team, you’ll help improve our end-to-end experiences by working closely with other designers, product managers, engineers and researchers. You’ll support work from early ideas and discovery through to design, testing, and iteration of solutions, considering the needs of customers, consumers and colleagues throughout.
You’ll get hands-on experience contributing to a range of design activities, from shaping early ideas and analysing insights, to creating designs, taking part in workshops and testing concepts with users. You’ll have the opportunity to explore and build skills across different areas of design, including insight analysis, service design, interaction design, visual design and content design.
Over time, and with support from the wider team, you’ll build confidence in both design thinking and craft. As you grow, you’ll have the space to shape your own development, deepening your expertise in particular areas while continuing to collaborate across disciplines. You’ll also learn how to work with our design system to create consistent, high-quality experiences across journeys for customers, consumers and colleagues. Our graduate programme starts in October 2026.
What We're Looking For
- A graduate (or graduating in 2026) in any degree discipline, or hold a level 6 qualification, with a passion for design and technology.
- An interest in end-to-end design, from understanding problems and analysing insights through to exploring ideas, designing and testing solutions.
- Some exposure to one or more areas of design such as interaction design, visual design, service design or content design, through education, personal projects or independent exploration.
- Curiosity and a willingness to learn, take feedback and develop your skills across different design disciplines.
- The ability to bring together different sources of information, make sense of them and form clear ideas or conclusions.
- Enjoy working with others and communicating ideas clearly.
- An interest in improving experiences across digital products and services for customers, consumers and colleagues.
During our application process, you will be asked three questions to help us learn more about you and how you align with our values. These will be used as part of our selection criteria to determine if we progress your application further. We encourage you to submit your best application.
Autotrader's Graduate Academy
Our Graduate programme is designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge and experiences needed to really kick start your career. In this permanent role, your journey starts in our academy foundation, where, alongside other graduates from across our communities, you will be learning about our company, culture, industry, customers, how we work, how you work, and so much more. You’ll then focus on developing the knowledge and skills for your specific role, whilst working on practical projects with your cohort, supported by mentors, your dedicated line manager, your team, as well as the Early Careers team.
Benefits And More
We’re offering a salary of £30,000, plus an additional 10% of your salary, awarded in shares each year. These awarded shares will become yours in yearly instalments over the next three years, and you can choose to either sell them or keep them as shares. You'll have 28 days' holiday per year, and that's in addition to bank holidays and half-day closures on Christmas and New Year's Eve.
That’s not all. You'll be enrolled in our pension scheme, where our standard contributions are 7% and employee contributions are 5%. We also have comprehensive private medical cover, enhanced family leave provisions, a car salary sacrifice scheme, share-save options, and much more. We always want to give you the support you need and help prioritize your wellbeing, that’s why we provide access to 24/7 online GP and dentist, as well as specialist support for assisted fertility, gender dysphoria, menopause, period care plans and lots more.
On top of all that, our hybrid model, Connected Working, combines the best of both worlds – office and home working. You’ll have two fixed weekly office days for team collaboration, plus one more day of your choice to suit your work-life balance. Additionally, we have our remote-first periods at set times during summer and winter, where you can work remotely anywhere in the UK and from certain locations abroad.
Graduate Experience Designer in Manchester employer: TargetJobs UK
Autotrader is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees, offering a vibrant work culture in Manchester. With a comprehensive graduate programme, you'll gain hands-on experience in design while collaborating with diverse teams, all within a supportive environment that values innovation and personal development. Enjoy competitive benefits, including a salary of £30,000, share options, and a flexible hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Experience Designer in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with fellow designers. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best design work. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and showcases your thought process, as well as the final designs. This is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common design questions and scenarios. Think about how you would approach real-world problems and be ready to discuss your design process. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Autotrader.
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Experience Designer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Design:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for design and technology shine through. Share any personal projects or experiences that highlight your interest in end-to-end design. We want to see your creativity and how you approach problem-solving!
Tailor Your Responses:Make sure to tailor your answers to the specific questions we ask during the application process. Think about how your values align with ours and provide examples that showcase your skills and experiences. This is your chance to stand out, so make it count!
Keep It Clear and Concise:While we love a good story, keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your ideas come across easily and effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you'll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture right there. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at TargetJobs UK
✨Know Your Design Basics
Before heading into the interview, brush up on your design principles. Understand the key areas mentioned in the job description, like interaction design and visual design. Be ready to discuss any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your skills in these areas.
✨Show Your Curiosity
Autotrader values curiosity and a willingness to learn. Prepare some thoughtful questions about their design processes or recent projects. This not only shows your interest but also gives you insight into how they work and what you can expect.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would approach specific design challenges. Think about how you would analyse insights or test solutions. Practising your thought process out loud can help you articulate your ideas clearly during the interview.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since collaboration is key at Autotrader, be ready to share examples of how you've worked effectively in teams. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve contributed to group projects, as this will resonate well with their culture of working better together.
