Graduates have had a tough time in recent years applying their newly acquired qualification to a working position, most notably because of hindered economic growth and a reduction in the number of jobs being created. With a limited number of graduate roles becoming increasingly coveted, it is important to consider the interviews for these and how best you can sell yourself to emerge ahead of your rival candidates. So what questions can you expect to face in your interview, and how can you deliver the best possible response?
The Top 3 Questions: What You Can Expect as a Graduate
As a graduate you are likely to have minimal job experience, so the focus of your interview will centre on your educational career and ability to organize your time. The following questions are all prominent in the contemporary graduate interview:
- What Extra Curricular Activities Were You Involved in at Uni?: Just a resume should include your achievements outside of the workplace, employers are also keen to know how graduates spent their time while at university. This may apply to paid or voluntary work, as well as personal interests and hobbies.
- What Did You Learn From Balancing University With Work?: For those of you who married studying with part time or summer work, this question provides you with a great platform to sell your ability to multi-task and organise your time efficiently. It also seeks to find out what skills you have developed through the experience.
- How Does Your Degree Prepare to Work in This Industry?: Perhaps one of the more challenging questions posed to graduates, this one requires you to possess an clear understanding of both what you have learned and how it can be applied to your career. This separates well qualified candidates from outstanding ones.
How Should You Respond to These Questions?
These question tap into the entire educational experience, from starting out and developing interests to applying your skills in the workplace environment. So consider the following as your prepare and deliver your answers:
- Some of your hobbies may well be extra-curricular but this does not mean they are suitable or relevant to a workplace application. Be selective as to which items of workplace experience and activity to reference, and focus on those that required a commitment to hard work and also reveal a strong motivation to achieve.
- Effective time management is up there with problem solving and negotiation when it comes to desired employee skills, and marrying work commitments with studies is a key example of this. Focus on your motivation for balancing the two and the steps that you took to organize your time, without compromising your ability to perform each task.
- For the final question, it is good practice to map out your educational journey prior to the interview. Consider why you chose the subject that you did for your degree, and why it is suitable to the industry in which you aim to thrive. You response should tap into your understanding of this journey, as well as a comprehension of the industry itself.
Do you have any ideas on how to answer this question? Perhaps you are an employer with some advice on what you are looking for from candidates? Please comment or send us your thoughts to @simplyhireduk
