Interview techniques and tips for graduates
Interviews for graduate jobs come in a variety of formats: competence interviews, telephone interviews, panel interviews, technical interviews and now, strengths interviews. If you’re going face-to-face (or on the phone) with graduate recruiters then knowing what to expect and how to prepare will give you a head start and keep your interview nerves at bay. Find tips for dealing with tricky interview questions and techniques to help you come across with confidence.
Eight steps to graduate interview success
An invitation to an interview means you're well on your way to securing yourself a graduate job. But selling your skills face to face or on the phone is very different from selling your skills on paper. Here are the main steps to help you think on your feet and prepare for all eventualities.
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Strengths-based interviews for jobs and grad schemes
Find out what to expect from this new style of graduate job interview, which focuses on what you enjoy doing as a way of assessing your personal attributes and innate aptitudes.
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Panel interviews: how to face more than one interviewer
Occasionally you will push open the door to discover two or more people waiting to interview you. Don't panic! Here are our top tips for when you're facing several interviewers.
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Tips for graduates: how to deal with job interview nerves
A graduate job interview, like a visit to the dentist or a final exam, can fill the most confident of us with dread and anxiety. But don't panic. A few simple techniques, good preparation and some positive thinking can do wonders to reduce your stress levels and help you shine, even if you're naturally shy.
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Make the best first impression with graduate recruiters
Handshake, smile, eye contact: check! You don't need to be told that the impression you give in the first few minutes of the interview is of critical importance. Find out how to leave a lasting impression right from the start.
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Body talk: the right moves for graduate job interviews
How you act in a graduate job interview is important: it's part of creating the ideal package. Practise some body language techniques today so that you stay cool in the interview hot seat.
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Interview introductions: how to perfect your personal pitch
Knowing how to pitch your achievements and career goals at interviews, assessment centres and careers fairs could be crucial in landing yourself a graduate job. Read on to find out how to sell your skills with a quick introduction.
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Technical interviews for graduate roles: the basics
For some career sectors you may be invited to a technical interview, which will be used to assess specialist skills.
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How to handle a telephone interview
Use our checklist to tackle your telephone interview with confidence and get through to the next stage of the application process for your graduate job.
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At a glance guide to selection methods used by graduate recruiters
Graduate employers use a range of methods in the recruitment selection process. Take a look at our guide to the types of job interview and activities you might face and get some quick tips.
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Deal with the job-hunter's biggest fear: tricky interview questions
Graduate employers use a range of interview questions to assess what you know about them and whether you're the right fit for the job. Don't trip up: use our sample questions and hints to guide your interview preparation.
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Dress for success at your graduate job interviews
You want graduate recruiters to remember you, not your clothes, so find out what to wear to boost your confidence and create a professional impression at interview.
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Competence-based interviews
Find out what to expect from this type of graduate job interview, which focuses on whether you can show you have the competences or skills to match an organisation's selection criteria.
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'Why do you think you will be successful in this job?' Tricky graduate interview question
Want to know how to talk about what you could bring to a graduate job? Find out how to answer with confidence.
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'What motivates you?' Tricky graduate interview question
You are particularly likely to be asked about your motivation in a strengths-based interview. Find out what recruiters are looking for and what you should avoid in your answer.
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'What is your biggest weakness?' Tricky graduate interview question
This classic tricky interview question appears to be asking you to reveal your shortcomings, but if you use the right tactics it can be a golden opportunity to show that you're right for the job.
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'Where do you expect to be in five years' time?' Tricky graduate interview question
When interviewers ask this they don't just want to know how ambitious you are. Find out about the response they are really looking for.
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'Give an example of a time when you handled a major crisis.' Tricky graduate interview question
This type of question can throw you if you haven't thought about it in advance, especially as you may struggle to think of an example. However, you can turn it to your advantage.
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'How do you manage your time and prioritise tasks?' Tricky graduate interview question
Find out how to crack interview questions about your time management techniques and the kind of examples you might give in your answer.
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