Graduating into Employment
Post higher education, accessing the world of work can not only be daunting it can be harder then expected.
Having a degree doesn’t guarantee job offers. In fact, for many industries, a degree is a minimum requirement, not a gold standard.
What is a graduate scheme?
One option for graduates is a ‘graduate scheme.’ A graduate scheme is a 1-3 year structured training programme designed by an employer to support a new graduate to gain a level of industry competencies.
Even though a graduate scheme is an employed training scheme, starting salaries can be high. The negative side of a well paid training programme for graduates is the competition for each graduate scheme vacancy.
Graduate schemes vacancies often go live between from July-Nov. The recruiting process is often long and can include a CV, application form, assessment centers and competency-based interviews, with most employers looking for graduates with a 2.1 grade.
In addition to a well paid graduate job, most employers will offer graduates a full time position once the graduate scheme has ended.
What is a graduate job?
A graduate job is essentially a job for graduates, often the first position the graduate accesses after university or higher education in a further education establishment.
Graduate positions are those roles that require the applicants to possess a certain level of knowledge and skills gained from completing a degree level course. This level of industry knowledge reassures the employer that the graduate will be able to complete sector related activities.
The application route for a graduate job is the same process for employed jobs in each sector, with a common recruitment process comprising off application form, assessment and panel interview.
What is an internship?
Another option for graduates (and current students) is to apply for an internship. The internship, which often last around 1-12 months and can be full or part-time, is a chance for the ‘intern’ to gain sector experience by becoming employed (some internships are voluntary) and taking on sector related duties.
Even with the voluntary internships and for all paid internships, the graduate needs to apply for the inten position as they would a full time role.
Graduate Job Interviews
For all 3 options; internship, graduate job or a graduate scheme, the graduate will be expected to attend and pass an interview as part of the recruitment process.
Questions asked to graduates vary from the commonly asked job interview questions, even though there is some overlap.
Graduate interviews will generally be split into 3 sections, with interview questions being asked on the applicant’s degree course, their industry knowledge in the form of technical questions and work ethic.
Graduate Interview Questions
Applicant’s degree course interview questions
Tell me about your degree course and what you have learnt from it?
What has been your biggest achievement during your time at university?
What grade did you achieve and was this what you expected to achieve?
What part of the degree course did you least enjoy?
Why did you choose that particular degree?
Technical (sector related) interview questions
Technical interview questions varying depending on each industry but will often come in the following format:
What does (add abbreviation) mean?
How would you complete X process or system?
What is your understanding of (sector model/theory)?
Do you have any (industry) related experience?
How is technology changing the future of our sector?
Work ethic interview questions
Did you have a job while studying?
What examples of working collaboratively can you provide?
What would your teacher/professor say about you?
Explain how you would contribute to meeting the organization objectives?
What would you do if a deadline was approaching but you only had 30 minutes until the end of the working day?
Job Interview Advice
