Graduate interview questions with strong results
The key to a successful graduate interview is preparation. You can gain this through the process of interview preparation. You will start to become familiar with the business and their goals. Additionally, helping you to feel relaxed and confident for the big day. Ensure that you practice and prepare some answers to interview questions to impress the interviewer. Without a doubt giving you the confidence you may need when being interviewed. We have compiled the most common questions and answers, providing you with the chance to prepare some impressive responses.
Tell me about yourself
This is one of the common opening interview questions for all interviews. Therefore allowing your interviewers to gather a wider understanding of what you like to do in your spare time. What your education has been like, and any part-time jobs or work experience you’ve done. Some employers ask these interview questions to put you on this spot. This helps them assess how you react, you’re given full control here so make the most of it. Your answer should be fairly brief and covers the topics mentioned above. It’s not necessary to tell them your life story, just a short overview of yourself and your experience.
What was your biggest achievement at university?
Before answering the interview questions, it’s important to provide yourself with a brief moment to gather your thoughts. Selecting your achievement is just as important as how you explain it. Ask yourself two questions; what are they looking for and what achievement demonstrates that?
You may have several accomplishments to choose from, however, not all of them are going to be what the interviewer is looking for. Using the acronym STAR will help you to pick a suitable achievement, focusing on situation, task, action, and result. What you learnt from it is often more important than the achievement itself.
What are your strengths?
Discussing your strengths in an interview can be difficult, especially if you’re not a fan of blowing your own trumpet. You need to identify that line situated between pride and arrogance. One way in which you can ace this question is by aiming your strengths around the business’s needs and the job’s requirements.
If this job requires an “organised individual”, use this as one of your strengths, however, it’s important not to lie. Use the job requirements that best suit your abilities and strengths. Providing examples of your strengths allows the interviewer to understand further, explain the context in which your strength was used, and describe the impact it had.
What was the worst part of your course?
Negativity is a no-go area in an interview. Use this as an opportunity to discuss roadblocks you have been able to overcome. You should discuss the struggles and difficulties that you encountered at university, as long as you demonstrate ways in which you overcame this problem and what you learnt from the situation that you can apply to your career.
Why do you want this job?
In Contrast, these interview questions can be tricky. It’s important to assess what the interviewer is actually asking. What is it about our company and the position that excites you? Additionally, what can you bring to the business?
They want to know what they will be getting back in the business by hiring you additionally, assessing how much you really want this position. Therefore, there are two simple steps to acing this question – research, and enthusiasm.
You also get the option to ask questions too.
You should get a chance to ask any interview questions you may have at the end if they weren’t answered within the interview.
If your stuck for things to ask we recommend the following as a guideline.
1. Ask for details about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role
This question will give you an idea of what the employers expectations are and will also help you to make the decision on whether the role is right for you. Getting extra details about the specifics of what your day-to-day schedule will look like will give you a good insight of what to expect.
2. How can you impress in the first three months
Asking this question shows a potential employer that you’re keen to make a good impression and a positive contribution to their organisation. It will also give you a valuable information about which areas of the job you should be focusing on in your first few months.
3. Training and progression opportunities
Not only does this question give you a good insight into your possible future with the organisation, but it also shows the employer that you’re committed to a long-term career with them. If you’re looking for a role where you can develop and grow, it’s important that you find out the training routes that are available so that you can draw up a vague picture of what your career may look like.
4. Where is the company headed in the next 5 years’
Asking about the company’s future shows a real, long-term interest in the organisation. It will also give you a better understanding of where the company is headed in the near future and may give you more details on possible upcoming events.
5. Ask about the team you’ll be working with
This question will help you to better understand the structure of the organisation, where your department fits, who you’ll be reporting to etc. It will also give you a better insight into the company culture and give you more details about what to expect from the team you’ll be working most closely with.
Furthermore, We hope that these graduate job interview tips have helped you prepare for your next interview. Do check out our blog for more interview prep advise.
Here at The Graduate, we provide expert and dedicated graduate recruitment service to clients and candidates. We have a wide range of networks and consultants working across the UK. If you would like to find out more about how we can help and therefore find your dream job, get in touch today on 0300 303 2069. Do you have any questions or queries? No problem, our helpful and friendly team are here to help. Additionally, Feel free to follow us on LinkedIn for job updates.
