Imagine you are entering a bank office for the first time, not as a client, but as a member of a team. You don't just make copies or enter data into a spreadsheet, you take part in meetings and help shape the future of one of Estonia's most successful banks. This is exactly the kind of experience that the LHV traineeship programme provides - and has been for years.
"Our trainees get to do real things, take responsibility and share their ideas. For us, it is important that they are carriers of LHV values: hungry, energetic and courageous," says LHV Employer Branding Partner Merilyn Saulep.
Higher level than standard traineeship
The LHV traineeship programme is much more than a traditional summer traineeship. It's a carefully designed development environment that's not easy to get into, but where participation can shape the start of your career.
In 2022, 750 young people applied for the LHV traineeship programme, while in 2024, as many as 1,685 applied. So despite 43 traineeships being offered last year, interest had almost quadrupled. Competition is tough but not daunting, and it shows how many young people want to learn and grow with LHV.
A programme that starts with recruitment
The traineeship is open to applications every year, starting from the first quarter, and is structured in the same way as the company's recruitment process. First, you must fill in an application form and submit a CV, answer a few short questions and, if necessary, add a motivation letter.
"We don't make our choice just by skills. Personality, courage, hunger and drive are more important. At LHV, a motivation letter can be a poem - as long as it's about you," says LHV Employer Branding Partner Merilyn Saulep.
After the document review, there are often video tests, homework or interviews to assess both the candidate's professional skills and valuable personal qualities. Interviews can be conducted one-to-one or in groups. The aim is to understand whether the candidate is a good fit for the team and whether the team is a good fit for the candidate.
Diverse range of sectors
Once you've secured your traineeship, it's time for a busy and exciting summer. Work is done on real projects, but the traineeship programme also includes workshops, knowledge exchanges, team events and, of course, an end-of-training party to celebrate joint achievements. In addition, trainees have the opportunity to take part in all activities for LHV employees, be it summer trips, other sports events or training.
LHV offers traineeships in a wide range of areas, from financial analysis and investment to human resources, data science and day-to-day banking. Jurisprudence, communications and property valuation are also represented. Every year, we also take into account a feedback from trainees to offer even better and more varied opportunities in the future.
Success stories speak for themselves
What could all this entail? A real job.
Statistics show that every year around half of former trainees find their way to LHV as employees. Sometimes they get the chance to do this during the traineeship, sometimes later, but the employer will remember the outstanding young people.
It's also worth noting that around 10% of LHV employees started their career here as trainees. One inspiring example is Madis Toomsalu, head of the LHV Group, whose career also started with a summer traineeship. His story confirms that traineeship really can change lives at LHV.
"The best feeling is when a young person says in conversation: "I don't know exactly what I want to do yet, but I want to learn." That honesty and hunger is worth more than ten rehearsed sentences," says Merilyn Saulep.
Ready for the big step?
If you're interested in an environment where you can learn, experiment, make mistakes and grow, keep an eye on the LHV traineeship page. It might not just be a traineeship for you - it could be your next big step in life.
