Graduate job interview tips

graduate interview technique

Interviews shouldn't be viewed as incredibly daunting ordeals. Granted, the graduate employer does hold to some extent the key to your future, but by carefully reading this section you will have all the tools you need to make them as enjoyable as they possibly can be.

It is essential that you remember that every question asked is asked for a reason and so vague replies will not score you the 'points' you need and as you would expect a 'don't know' doesn't go down very well! Also, your answers don't have to be formulated within a second of the question being asked - it is perfectly ok to take time in constructing a thoughtful and considered reply. Remember the interviewer wants you to succeed too.

Preparation:

Without preparing for your up coming interviews you stand little chance of success - harsh but true! The more time and effort you put into your preparation the higher your chance of success and the less stressful you will ultimately find the whole process.

• go to your careers service and ask for literature about the company
• speak with the careers advisors to find out if they can offer any advice
• ask for a mock interview with the careers advisor
• read your CV, not once, not twice but a dozen times
• read the job description (as above) - many people apply for roles that they don't really understand and don't have the right qualifications for. Therefore they can't perform well when under pressure. You can always phone the recruiter to get clarification.
• read about and around the sector you are applying to
• read their website over and over again - many interviewers will appreciate any references you make to this as it shows that you have done your homework
• find out where you have to go and how you are going to get there
• allow plenty of time to get there. Being late is unforgiveable
• make sure your clothes and shoes are clean. Pay attention to details such as matching socks- you'd be surprised what people notice and the conclusions they draw
• be aware of your own shortcomings and think of ways to turn them into learning opportunities - interviewers are capable of identifying your weaknesses without you pointing them out!

The right impression:

First impressions are vital in all aspects of life. Research shows that within the first 4 minutes of meeting someone they have formed their impression of you. So, if you follow these basic rules they should help to make sure that that impression is a positive one.

Appearance and body language:

You should aim to project self-confidence, assurance and motivation. Help them to think that you belong in their company through:

• Appropriate dress for the company and vacancy
• Good relaxed posture and a firm but brief handshake
• Eye contact at all times
• Smile and maintain an open body posture

First interviews:

These are usually done after you have sent your initial application into the employer through their website, however you could have your first interview after a quick chat at a careers fair. Due to the monetary and time costs involved in interviewing candidates should you get through to this stage you should consider yourself as viewed as 'good potential' and should be rightly pleased with your application - only about one in five get this far.

Second interviews:

If you apply for a traditional graduate position through the milkround and get a first interview then it is more than likely that the company have a second interview stage. This may be held whilst you are at the assessment centre. As you may imagine the second interview is a chance for employers to confirm what they thought about you, to ask you more detailed questions and sometimes for senior partners to 'have a look at the goods' and concur with the interviewer.

3 key things you should bear in mind are:

• think about and plan any potential questions they may ask
• make sure you have the answers to hand
• ensure that your replies are professional and confident

What does the interviewer want to get from the process?

Some of these may seem rather obvious but they are worth reiterating:

• are you able to do the actual job?
• are you well motivated?
• are you a good cultural fit for the department and the company as a whole?
• do you have a flexible attitude and someone who works well as part of a team?

What should you get out of the interview?

The interview isn't just about you being grilled by the employer. It should also be viewed as a chance to find out if you think you would like both the job and the company. Many graduates join schemes that they later find less than satisfactory. Employers find this very frustrating and overall it is a waste of time and money for both parties - take time in the interview to make sure that your expectations will be met.

Different types of interviews:

There are three main types of interviews that you may take part in, however the first and most important thing that you must do once you find out that you have been shortlisted is to contact the company and ask them to talk you through the process. This may include who will be interviewing you, the approach they intend to take and even the selection criteria they are looking for. Many employers are pleased that students are using their brains and describe it as intelligent resourcefulness if they make this kind of contact.

1) Personal interviews:

These are as they sound, one-to-one interviews. The interviewer may be from HR or from the business area that you have applied to and may appear to be quite chatty and informal, however you should be on your guard and remember what we have talked about in the above sections. Remember that questions are asked for a particular reason no matter what the format.
Variations on this may be sequential interviews - one interview after the other with different departments; joint interviewing with two interviewers each with a slightly different agenda and even less common the panel interview where students may face multiple interviews from various departments.

2) Telephone interviews

Telephone interviews are becoming more common in graduate recruitment as a way of keeping costs down. The main area to watch out for is your inability to read body language which makes it harder to judge how your responses are going down.

3) Stress interviews

You may assume that all interviews are stressful, however these types of interviews are designed to challenge you in an already difficult situation to find out how you react and whilst they are rare they do occur. Given that an interview is an insight into how employees are treated in the work place if this is not for you then walk away!