Technical grad program | 2025 grad program
Technical grads complete three 4-month rotations, working with teams across the business in their chosen field.
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What is the technical grad program?
If you want to navigate your way into a career as an engineer or security specialist, the technical grad program is the place for you.
Technical grads complete a 12-month learning program, broken down into three 4-month rotations.
Each rotation has learning outcomes designed to maximise the benefit you get from the teams you’re embedded in, ensuring you’re ready to hit the ground running at the end of the program.
Throughout the entire year, you’ll get the chance to diversify your skills, meet new people and better understand how the business operates. You’ll also have opportunities to work on a wide range of products in a variety of capacities, including; full stack, front-end, back-end, mobile, and data reliability.
To aid with your development and provide meaningful support during this crucial year, you’ll have a dedicated manager, a buddy in each team you rotate through, and an awesome grad network.
Applications for our 2025 program opening soon
Graduate engineers
Graduate engineers work with front-end and back-end teams, enhancing functionality, new feature innovation, site and data reliability, architecture, and more.
Graduate security engineers
Graduate security engineers build security infrastructure, ensure correct internal access management, ensure code is built with security at its core, and build defences against external threats.
Graduate security analysts
Graduate security analysts help assess Xero’s security risks and pass security audits, assist with security education campaigns, monitor Xero for cyber attacks, and are involved in security incidents by defending Xero as attacks occur.
Graduate product insights analyst
As a graduate product insights analyst at Xero, you'll analyse data and provide insights that inform fast and thoughtful decision-making for product teams across multiple systems, platforms, and channels.
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 2024. You will 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 2023 through to February 2024.
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 2024. You will 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 2023 through to February 2024.
You’ll be invited to complete behavioural cognitive and, for some roles, technical assessments. For roles in the technical program, you’ll need to complete a HackerRank test, which you can practise beforehand, as it helps us understand what level and range of skills you currently have. 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 behavioural cognitive and, for some roles, technical assessments. For roles in the technical program, you’ll need to complete a HackerRank test, which you can practise beforehand, as it helps us understand what level and range of skills you currently have. 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 by early September.
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 by early September.
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. These days will be held at the end of September 2023
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. These days will be held at the end of September 2023
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 our 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. See upcoming events.
“The grad program is designed for learning. You don’t need to be a brilliant developer right away, because we’re here to learn the skills we need and try out different areas.”
Kaia Costanza-Van Den Belt | Graduate Engineer
