Graduate Interviews, what to expect
After finishing university, you were positive and looking forward to starting your chosen career. However, after applying for numerous graduate positions and not being successful, optimism has been replaced by negativity. Not one single interview. Then suddenly, the phone rings…
‘Hi Ben, thanks for applying for our graduate role. We really like your application and would like to invite you to an interview…’
Brilliant, the news you have been waiting for! So you’ve secured the interview, but you might be thinking ‘How can I smash my first interview?’. There are many different types of interviews and the process can have several stages, so to help alleviate any anxiety you may have we have outlined some different styles of interviews you can expect and some simple tips to help you get through them!
Online Interviews
Businesses were forced to adapt their interview process during the pandemic, which saw the rise of online interviews. Since returning to a more normal world many companies have chosen to continue with these interviews as a stage of the process.
There are some basic tips when taking part in a video interview, here are a few provided by Jakki Lovewell Head of our partner brand Apprentice Employment Agency.
- Check that your phone/laptop have the required software to enable the interview to take place; ensure you have a good wifi/roaming signal and that you have checked the camera placement will show you clearly during the interview (and you know how to adjust the audio levels)
- Don’t hold your laptop/phone during the interview; place your technology on a hard surface to minimise movement (not your knees)
- Check your battery level and charge in advance of the interview if you are using a phone or a laptop in an area where you cant ‘plug into the mains’
- Be clean and smart – dress in the same way that you would, should you be attending the interview in person (including not wearing pyjama bottoms – that you think can’t be seen) dressing for the interview puts you in the right frame of mind to conduct yourself professionally throughout
- Don’t be afraid to look at the camera – and smile… yes smile your body language is very important during an online interview!
This is your chance to make a great first impression so make sure you are prepared! Just be grateful it isn’t this guy interviewing you!
The In-Person/Face-to-face Interview
If you are successful following your online interview, you may be invited to attend a face-to-face interview where you meet the employer physically. This can be nerve-wracking for anyone, never mind a graduate. You might be thinking ‘It’s my first face-to-face interview, how do I need to act?’. Our answer is ‘not like Brennan and Dale!’.
You might have virtually met your interviewer already, but this is the first chance to meet them personally and make a lasting impression. Learn what their name is beforehand and don’t call them 
‘Human Resources Lady’! Make sure you don’t do anything to make them feel uncomfortable or talk about inappropriate things.
It might seem like common sense to not behave that way, but people act oddly when they’re nervous. Just remember to answer the questions they are asking, give lots of eye contact and demonstrate your abilities.
As a recent graduate, the interviewer will understand that you may not have specific relatable experience, they will want to understand your ability to use transferable skills, and to better understand the knowledge you have, a large part of the interview will be about culture fit, for both the employer and yourself, make sure you ask questions about the company culture, it’s also worth asking the interviewer why they love working for the business too!
Make sure you do your research, review the job description and write down any questions you have. Don’t panic, you will be absolutely fine.
Presentation Interview
Either as part of your face-to-face interview or following, prospective employers may set a task related to the role and ask for a presentation of your answers. This can take many forms, problem-solving, analysing data, report writing, and sales pitches. Clearly, this is dependent on the line of work you are looking to enter. Your employer will let you know what format they would like this delivered in, for instance, PowerPoint, personal portfolio etc… Make sure you prepare well for this, it is your opportunity to demonstrate the skills you have.
On the BBC show The Apprentice, candidate Steven Ugoalah and his team pitched to viral news company Buzzfeed. They tried to use humour and it failed spectacularly, leading to a panel member asking if it was aimed at 8-year-olds rather than adults. Our advice; don’t try humour if you’re not funny.
You are trying to show the interviewer that you have solved the problem they created and have the skills needed to be successful. Don’t ruin that by trying to be funny, it’s simply not needed. Keep your content simple and explain it well. Use body language to support what you are saying. Do your research and show passion when presenting as this will convince the interviewer you are engaged in the role. Be confident, you will smash it!
Panel interviews
You may be asked to interview in front of a panel, a panel interview consists of a group of people within the business who will jointly make the hiring decision. Now, this may sound scary, but do not worry here are a few simple tips to keep you on the right track!
- Prepare the same way you would do for a normal interview, do your research on the company, prepare your questions, be clear on the job spec and requirements and think of ways to demonstrate how your skills match their requirements.
- Be conscious of your body language – sit up straight, with an open posture (don’t cross your arms) try not to fidget! We all get nervous but things like foot tapping and fidgeting can be distracting for the interviewer, they will be watching what you are doing rather than listening to what you are saying!
- Make good eye contact, try to look at each member of the panel, and especially the person who asked you the question.
- Ask questions, you can address the whole panel or an individual.
- Try to find out who will be on the panel prior to your interview, how many are there and what are their names, this will enable you to undertake some research about each member on the panel and find out what area of the business they are involved in at what level, this will help you when directing questions to specific people. Remember to treat everyone on the panel equally no matter their seniority with the company.
Hopefully, we have answered some of the questions you had about the different styles of interview and feel prepared for your first graduate interview. If you are still looking for a graduate position, we have a number of opportunities currently available, covering a range of sectors. If you have found this guide useful, keep a lookout for the next in our #MyFirst series on our website and social media!
