Get that graduate job: impressing government recruiters at interview

To get the graduate job you’re after you’ll need to be prepared and organised for your interview. After all, it’s a key skill for a management career in government. Here’s how to pull it out of the bag.

Preparation is the key to success at interviews. It will not only help you answer the questions, but also reduce nerves so you can perform better. If you’re someone who suffers from interview nerves, you may find it helpful to do mock interviews with friends, family or your university careers service.

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So what are you likely to be asked? Interviewers will be quizzing you on your motivation for the job and testing your preparation for the interview. They’ll want to hear that you’ve carefully considered why you want to join local government or the Civil Service and that you’ve been proactive with your research.

Before your interview, continue your investigations into the organisation, the job and the public sector. Make sure that you’re aware of the additional attributes that are particularly important to the employer you’re applying to by re-reading the job description and person specification. Make sure you can give examples for each competence. Remind yourself what you wrote on your application form or CV – this is often a starting point for questions.

Finally, take care of the little things: dress smartly, arrive on time, be polite and offer a firm handshake. Employers are not looking to trip you up, so a friendly, approachable manner often goes a long way – smile, be polite and don’t fidget!

Five recruiter tips for interview success

Hannah Londgen, graduate recruitment and marketing associate at the Financial Services Authority, tells you how to make the most of your interview.

  1. Re-read your application: you may be questioned on it at interview.
  2. Research: make sure you understand the organisation you’ve applied to.
  3. Provide evidence: try to come up with some examples of when you’ve demonstrated the skills they’re looking for.
  4. Demonstrate independent thought: what are your views on the company and current industry affairs?
  5. Talk to people: make the most of the invaluable opportunity to get a proper feel for the company and the people who work there.
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