FAQs

This page lists the common questions we receive from candidates, trainees and consultants throughout the programme.

When you’re applying...

I am not sure if I am eligible to apply, how do I determine this?

You can read about eligibility criteria on our website

here⁠

by clicking on the “Eligibility” tab.

Can I apply if I have an A-level equivalent (eg. B-Tech, Scottish Higher)?

Yes. We accept any A-level equivalent, regardless of the subjects chosen for the examination.

What have successful candidates studied?

Our consultants studied a wide range of subjects both STEM and non-STEM. STEM subjects include computer science, maths, physics, biology, engineering, and chemistry. Whilst non-STEM subjects include linguistics, philosophy, music, geography, law, and politics.

How do I complete the online assessments?

If your application is successful you will receive two emails; one from us saying you have been progressed to the next stage; and one from Equalture (our assessment partner) which will have a link to the assessment. If you are successful at this stage you will then receive a link to the second assessment.

Can I do practice assessments?

You cannot practice the assessments before starting. Before each of the Equalture games you can complete a short practice to help you understand the controls and what is required.

Do the Equalture games have allowances for neurodiversity?

There are no allowances but this is because the games have been designed in a way that prevents any adverse effects on demographics and neurodivergence. The games have then been tested against a wide range of backgrounds and neurodiversity which determined that candidate experience is generally the same on average. You can find this analysis in Equalture's Neurodiversity Inclusion Report which states that scores do not differ significantly between groups in the games we use.

How soon after being invited should I book an interview or assessment?

We recommend booking the next stage of the recruitment process, a Stage 2 Interview or a Stage 3 Technical Assessment, within 2 weeks of being progressed.

What can I do to prepare for the Stage 2 interview?

We’re looking for four key behavioural areas in this interview - Communication, Conscientiousness, Coachability, and Proactivity. Please prepare accordingly.

We want you to set yourself up well so that we can see the best of you. So,

Conduct the interview in a quiet well-lit space where you won't be disturbed.

Make sure the camera is fixed and produces a good picture - using a phone camera is never a great idea!

Dress in a way that shows you're serious about the opportunity; we don't want to find someone who wants a job but someone who wants this job.

Think about your answers in advance so that your answers are clear and structured. You can prepare notes if this will help you but try not to read off them too much during the interview itself.

Prepare questions for us to ask at the end. Have a think in advance about what you'd like to hear more about, what will effect you, what you’re worried about, etc.

‍Be yourself. We don't want the atmosphere to feel stiff or formal.

Don't worry about being caught out by "trick questions" because there won't be any. We genuinely want you to succeed, so don't worry about unintentionally giving the "wrong" answers.

Feel free to take your time to reflect before answering a question. It's better to take a 20 seconds to collect your thoughts than to launch into an answer that doesn't reflect what you really think.

Treat it like a conversation. There’s nothing wrong with being concise, but equally one sentence answers won’t give us a full picture of what makes you great. On the other hand, we don’t want answers that are far too long and focus on additional context that is not strictly necessary.

In this interview, we want to hear more about you and your motivations, how you do things and why. Please take a bit of time to think about this in relation to Sigma Labs and data engineering as a career. In particular we want to know:

What motivated you to make your educational and work choices so far?

What made you think that working in tech would be good for you?

What could you imagine doing in technology?

Why you think Sigma Labs is what you're looking for?

What motivates you to do your best work?

How will I complete the technical interview?

Your interview will be conducted virtually via Zoom and we use an online code editor called

ReplIt⁠

to code together online. You are welcome to sign up ahead of time to experiment with it.

How much coding do I need to know for the final assessment?

We created

a short document⁠

that sets out what we expect candidates to know.

How can I start coding?

We have several resources on our website for a range of coding abilities. If you are starting from a beginner level then we would recommend completing at least the first five parts of this

free online course from the University of Helsinki⁠

. For more a broader range of experiences, you can attempt some of the challenges on

Edabit⁠

However, alongside learning syntax and functions, we also recommend that you focus on truly understanding how code works and fits together. This is best done through practice, and you can do this by building your own project in python, such as designing a working hangman game from scratch.

When will I hear back from my interview and assessments?

We aim to respond within a few days and no later than the end of that week. If you have not had response by the start of the following week, please get in touch at

hire@sigmalabs.co.uk⁠

What should I do if I want to withdraw my application?

If you wish to withdraw or put your application on hold, please email us at

hire@sigmalabs.co.uk⁠

If I am rejected, how soon can I reapply?

If you are rejected at the gamified assessment (Equalture) then you can reapply after 12 months as it is not possible to redo the assessment earlier than this. If you have been rejected at any other stage then you can reapply after 6 months.

What happens when I receive an offer?

If you are successful during the technical interview, then congratulations on completing the entire application process and receiving an offer! We know it is a long application process that requires a lot of time and effort so you should be really proud of yourself if you are one of the 2% of candidates that receive an offer from us!

After your successful technical interview, we will try and give you a call within about a week of your interview so that we can discuss our offer in more detail and answer any initial questions you have before sending you an email. This email will have two attachments that detail everything you need to know about our programme. The first is the official training agreement contract and the second is an offer letter that summarises the training agreement and our programme in more simple terms.

We do this because we want to be as transparent as possible so that you know what you are signing up for and know that our programme is the right thing for you. However, we know that these documents will not answer every question, so you are more than welcome to email us or set up a call with us to ask us any questions, or you can even set up a call with once of our current consultants to learn more about their experience

Once you are happy, you will sign the training agreement and send it back to us. At this point you are officially part of our programme and we will start your onboarding process to get everything set up for your first day!

Are there any repayment clauses in the training contract?

There is a repayment clause that may require an individual to pay back some or all of the training cost, a maximum of £9,000. These clauses can seem scary but we want to reassure you that we have no intention of using them unless we have to, in fact, we have never activated these clauses and have no plans on doing so.

Ultimately we have to have these clauses to protect ourselves as a business from the worst case scenario. As you can imagine, if individuals took advantage of our free training with no intention of fully committing to becoming a consultant with us, then we wouldn’t last very long as a business as we would not receive the revenue from our clients that enables your training to be free. As we are looking for candidates who are excited about committing to the full ~2.5 years of our programme, our trainees and consultants have always acted in a manner that means that we have never had to use these clauses and we plan to keep it that way!

When you’re training...

How much will I be paid?

Training is free but unpaid as currently we cannot provide income during the training period. If you are placed with a client you will be paid £30,000 in Year 1 and £38,000 in Year 2.

Why is training unpaid?

We would love to pay our trainees, but at this early stage of our growth, we cannot afford to do so. In line with our mission, we invest the vast majority of our income into providing the best education and support that we can. Some day we will also pay through training but for now we choose to invest in training, support and greater salaries when placed with clients.

Can I work full-time or part-time during training?

Our training requires a full-time commitment from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Since the training period is unpaid, we understand the need for a stable income, whether through a part-time or full-time job. In our experience, a full-time position along with the training is not manageable, however part-time work outside of the training hours is.

Can I complete/continue other studies while training?

We require all of our trainees to have completed a degree prior to the start date of the training. As our training requires a full-time commitment, a second obligation which would also require 35 to 40 hours a week, would not be ideal.

Who will I be trained by?

Your training will cover both technical and professional skills, and you can learn more about the training team

here⁠

Is the training online or in-person?

The training is predominantly online and there is no need to commute or relocate during this time. The only in-person days of the training are the first and last three days so that you can meet your colleagues and coaches at the start of the course and deliver your final group project presentations at the end of the course.

We will cover the costs of your visit to our London office for these days depending on how far you have to travel.

Do I need to move for training?

No, training is fully remote.

Once you receive an offer from a client, we will discuss a start date suitable to your needs as you may need to relocate depending on where the client’s office is and how often you are required to be in the office. After we agree on a start date, you can commit to a move if needed.

Can I work from the office during training?

Currently, we have a remote-first approach during the training programme meaning all teaching is completed online.

We have trainees from all over the UK, therefore we try to treat everyone equally in terms of working environment. We have several tips and tricks to help you set up an ideal working environment, so please do let us know what we can help with there.

What does a normal day look like?

Our training follows a standard 9am to 6pm working week. Every day will start at 9am when we gather online for announcements and a kick-off. Every day then has at least two workshops, led by one of our coaches, that will guide you through the content for the week.

In the intervening time, you’ll work individually or in small groups to continue your learning or complete the coursework/project for the week.

How long is the training?

Our training is between 12 to 16 weeks with the average being 15 weeks. The length of our training depends on the content you focus on and this is based on the potential client roles that are likely to be available for you after the training period.

What will I learn during training?

We tailor our course to meet the demands of our clients - the most important outcome is that you have the technical and professional skills to excel when working with a client.

We currently offer a blend of

Software Engineering

Data Engineering

Data Analysis

Cloud Engineering

Platform Engineering

Ultimately, we will decide to teach you the skills that will give you the highest chance of being placed with a client.

What technical skills can I expect to develop?

The only thing we guarantee is that you’ll solve problems daily using code - the subject matter will change depending on the course we’re teaching. This will vary depending on the clients roles that we’ve got coming in. Broadly, you’ll become skilled in writing excellent code, solving complex problems and creating impact through technology.

I’m keen to learn about AI/ML/Data/Web Development/Crypto/etc is that possible?

At this time, we cannot guarantee what you will learn during the course or what client you’ll be placed at - there is a chance that you will land in a company that is in your desired industry/technology space, but this isn’t possible for all people, all of the time.

Ultimately, we will decide what you will be learning and the client you go to, ensuring you have the best chance for long-term success.

If you have an extremely strong desire to go into a specific technology, then Sigma Labs may not be the best place for you as we - at this time - cannot guarantee any specific career path.

What kind of projects will I be working on during the training?

We use problem-based learning, meaning that we start with real-world problems first and then develop solutions based on those.

Some examples of projects are

Building a full stack Reddit/Twitter clone

Building scalable data pipelines for a Peloton-style company

Deploying complex web applications to the cloud

Additionally, all courses include a group project where you’ll gain experience writing code in teams.

It’s worth reiterating - we make no guarantees on the projects you’ll complete during the course as these will change depending on our client list.

How are we assessed during the training programme?

You are assessed every week using a mix of coursework, technical assessments and mastery quizzes. A technical assessment is where you produce a solution to a problem based on that week’s teaching.

We also use a form of mastery learning; mastery learning in its purest form means you do not move on to the next thing until you have mastered the previous skill. It’s not time-limited so if it takes a day or a month it doesn’t matter. However, we are time-limited so trainees complete mastery quizzes on Thursdays with the intention of using Fridays to work on areas they didn’t get right.

Will I work by myself?

We use

Zoom⁠

and

Slack⁠

to create an online classroom where you can engage with other trainees and coaches throughout the day. You do not need to be on a call all day but you should be contactable between 9am and 6pm.

There will be group projects at the end of training where you can learn to work as part of a professional team to produce effective projects. You will present your final project on the last day of training and a week later to potential clients.

How many people are in a cohort?

Our cohorts usually consist of approximately 20 people.

What happens if I want to withdraw from training?

If you wish to leave the course at any point during the training, then depending on the context of your specific situation, you may be subject to the appropriate percentage of course fees that are linked to how far into the programme you are.

Can I talk to current consultants / past trainees?

Not at the moment during training - however, we’re in the process of bringing in current consultants and past trainees for Q&A sessions.

Can I take time off during training?

We recommend that you commit to the training as much as possible. However if you have a previous commitment with friends or family (such as graduation) or if you are feeling poorly, depending on the number of days you require, we will treat these requests on a case-by-case basis.

Can I fail the training?

Failure on the course can and does happen for various reasons. We try our absolute hardest to prevent this from happening and unlike some of our competitors, we do not overfill our cohorts with the expectation that people will fail out. For every person we accept on to the course, we have the full belief that they can and will succeed with us.

When you’re working with a client...

How does the transition period work?

Once you have completed training, we set up interviews with companies interested in hiring you. These usually consist of two interviews, a competency one, which is a bit like our Stage 2 Interview, and a more technical discussion where you will discuss a project you have done. If they want you, you could start within a couple of weeks. We will look beyond our client list if we can’t find a suitable client. In this case, we would not make a return on our investment in you, but you will have found a good role in tech which is always our ultimate goal.

Can I work during the transition period?

As you will need to be available for client interviews, you will need to have some time to prepare and complete the interviews. If you do work, we would like to know your availability and notice period for a start date ahead of time.

Can I take time off during the transition period?

You are welcome to take time off during the transition period. If you'd like to do so, please let us know ahead of time, as we will have to make your availability for interviews known to clients as well.

Do I have a choice in where I work or which client I interview for?

Like any consultancy, we fundamentally have the final decision on where you go, but we do try to consider your preferences. A few weeks before the end of the training programme, we send out a survey to trainees asking for their preferences and we also produce a bio based on the coaches’ thoughts on your strengths. Using all of this info, we try to find the best fit and we will always ask you before putting you forward for any role.

If I need to move for the role, when should I?

Once you have an offer secured from a client and we start the onboarding process with their company, we suggest that you begin relocating and discuss timings with us and the client if needed. We will try to keep you updated on possibilities from before you complete training to give everyone the best chance of aligning and preparing.

Do you have any clients outside of London? Are there possibilities of working in locations other than London?

Most of our roles are based in and around London, and whilst we have a growing number of roles and opportunities in other regions, we can’t say exactly what will be available when you finish training so you may need to be prepared to move to secure a great role.

Who are your clients?

We work with a wide range of clients, from multi-national consultancies to high street brands to smaller tech firms across almost all areas of technology. We don’t share our full client list publicly but you can find a few examples on our website.

Will I be with only one client for the whole two years?

Yes, this is the best way to develop a particular set of skills throughout the programme. You will gain valuable insight into your position as a junior consultant and, most likely, a chance to stay with the client longer term (past the two-year commitment) if you wish to do so.

What type of positions will be available?

We have a wide range of client roles that our consultants thrive in. This is because we ensure that all our client roles not only meet their needs, but also provide the developmental environment you require to grow as a consultant and achieve long term career success.

Our current positions tend to be based around data and include roles in data engineering, data analysis, and data governance. However we have also had previous client roles in cloud, software engineering, and even some less technical heavy roles, and there is always the chance that these types of roles come along again.

Ultimately we do not know exactly what roles will be available when you finish the training programme, or which role you will be successful in securing after your client interviews, so this is why we ask you to be as open-minded as possible to which potential role you could be doing with our clients.

What type of client projects will I be working on?

This will depend on the client and the role. Whilst most roles will overlap somewhat, for example data engineers will work on making data much more accessible while analysts will spend more time gaining insights that will inform decisions, the projects these roles focus on may differ. For example the project may be about understanding a wide range of factors when working in insurance, or a retail chain’s customers and what they are most interested in buying - so it really depends on the industry you are working in!

How do you support your consultants during the two years?

We are there the entire time you are there. If you have any questions or issues, please don't hesitate to get in touch at any point! This will be easy as you will keep access to our Slack direct messaging platform. On top of this, when you start with a client, we will meet with you once a week to ensure you settle in nicely. Hopefully, everything goes well, and after a couple of months, we’ll switch to monthly catch-ups where we can focus on your continued development. We will also meet with the client monthly to hear their perspective and uncover potential development avenues.

You also receive a £500 a year budget for any training requirements or qualifications you would like to complete during your client placement.

Finally, you’ll be part of the Sigma Labs network, and will be able to enjoy any events or networking opportunities that we put on.

Who will be supporting me when working with the client?

We will! Sigma Labs will become your support system and will be there to advocate for you during your time as a consultant with a client. We genuinely want you to succeed by the end of 2 and a half years with us, and we will do our best to make that happen.

Will there be any support available if I have any questions?

Yes! We will have the same means of communication as during training (including email, Slack, Zoom and phone numbers). We will answer any questions you have as often as needed. Every member of the Sigma Labs team will be checking these communication channels, so you are sure to get a response to your question within the same day.

What happens after the second year? Can I stay with the client?

It’s entirely up to you! Broadly there are two options:

1. You can stay with the client if they offer you a role, and they nearly always do!

2. You could find another position you’d like to do and this should be easily achievable as, after two years, you should have highly sought after skills and experience that mean you should have several opportunities open to you.