Design grad program | 2026 grad program
Design grads spend the full year in the same team, gaining in-depth skills and knowledge in their specific field.
What is the design grad program?
The design program at Xero includes roles in our product design and design research teams.
Joining the grad program means getting a permanent role at Xero. After completing the grad year, you’ll be promoted to the next stage of your chosen career path.
Given the specialist nature of the roles, you’ll spend the entire program with the same team, working on different projects and building up your skill set to progress your career in your chosen field.
We are only able to accept one application per candidate, so please think carefully about which role you’d like to apply for. If you’d like to chat to a Xero employee before applying, come along to one of our virtual or in-person events.
To register your interest and to be notified when applications open, please send us an email to gradcareers@xero.com.
What roles are we recruiting for?
Graduate product designers
Graduate product designers work on the user experience and interaction for Xero’s product. They help design the interface architecture, workflow, and visual design of our product.
Graduate design researchers
Graduate design researchers seek to understand how people use Xero. They support the planning, research, analysis and presentation of insights on the attitudes and behaviours of current and future Xero users.
Grad and intern program application process
Applicants for the grad program must have fewer than 12 months professional working experience in relevant industries, either have the right to work full-time in New Zealand or will be eligible to work full-time after graduating, and be able to start full-time in February 2026. If you’re a current or past university student, applying for a role in your field of study, you’ll need to provide a copy of your transcript. You’ll also need to send your CV but only so we can use it to verify your eligibility. If you’re applying for an internship, you must be in your penultimate year of study in your chosen field and be available for full-time work from November 2025 through to February 2026.
Applicants for the grad program must have fewer than 12 months professional working experience in relevant industries, either have the right to work full-time in New Zealand or will be eligible to work full-time after graduating, and be able to start full-time in February 2026. If you’re a current or past university student, applying for a role in your field of study, you’ll need to provide a copy of your transcript. You’ll also need to send your CV but only so we can use it to verify your eligibility. If you’re applying for an internship, you must be in your penultimate year of study in your chosen field and be available for full-time work from November 2025 through to February 2026.
You’ll be invited to complete both a behavioural and a technical assessment. For roles in the technical program, the technical assessment is a HackerRank test which helps us understand your current range and level of skills – you can practise the test beforehand. For the design program, there’s a multiple-choice skills test to help us understand your level of technical knowledge.
Practise the HackerRank testYou’ll be invited to complete both a behavioural and a technical assessment. For roles in the technical program, the technical assessment is a HackerRank test which helps us understand your current range and level of skills – you can practise the test beforehand. For the design program, there’s a multiple-choice skills test to help us understand your level of technical knowledge.
Practise the HackerRank testNext, you’ll be invited to pre-record a video interview for our team. If your video interview is successful, you’ll be invited to attend a grad day. We’ll review all applications before making a decision, so you can expect to hear from us with an outcome, regardless of the decision.
Next, you’ll be invited to pre-record a video interview for our team. If your video interview is successful, you’ll be invited to attend a grad day. We’ll review all applications before making a decision, so you can expect to hear from us with an outcome, regardless of the decision.
The grad day is a half-day virtual event where you’ll be assessed across different activities. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn more about Xero and the grad program.
The grad day is a half-day virtual event where you’ll be assessed across different activities. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn more about Xero and the grad program.
Application basics and tips
It’s not all about your grades – we want to know who you are and what you’re passionate about. We live by our values, so show us if and how you resonate with those.
See our valuesIt’s not all about your grades – we want to know who you are and what you’re passionate about. We live by our values, so show us if and how you resonate with those.
See our valuesIt makes no difference when you send in your application as long as it’s before the closing date. Every eligible applicant is given the same opportunity to go through the assessment process and we’ll process all applications once the application date has closed.
It makes no difference when you send in your application as long as it’s before the closing date. Every eligible applicant is given the same opportunity to go through the assessment process and we’ll process all applications once the application date has closed.
To keep our process fair for everyone who applies, we can’t accept any applications past the application close date.
To keep our process fair for everyone who applies, we can’t accept any applications past the application close date.
Cover letters are not a part of Xero’s graduate recruitment process. We’ll find out everything we need through the application process.
Cover letters are not a part of Xero’s graduate recruitment process. We’ll find out everything we need through the application process.
If you’re applying from overseas, please get in touch with the grad team to discuss your options in more detail.
Email usIf you’re applying from overseas, please get in touch with the grad team to discuss your options in more detail.
Email usThe entire Xero grad recruitment process is online, with a virtual assessment centre as the last stage, so you won’t need to travel.
The entire Xero grad recruitment process is online, with a virtual assessment centre as the last stage, so you won’t need to travel.
Got more questions?
Check out the FAQ page for details about the grad programs and answers to some common questions.
Get the inside story at a grad event
Come along to one of our virtual or face-to-face events to meet some past grads and our grad team, and get a true understanding of life at Xero. Check for coming events here.
“I got put straight into a team as a graduate designer. It was such a supportive environment and I could just ask anyone if I had any questions or worries.”
Hannah Boekhorst | Designer
Hannah Boekhorst | Graduate designer