Interviews

Most organisations invite applications from candidates and select ('shortlist') a number for first interview and, perhaps, a series of tests. It is worth remembering, when you are shortlisted, that you would not have been invited to interview unless the selectors felt that your application demonstrated your suitability for the job or course for which you have applied.

Some organisations may feel that they are in a position to make a final decision after this first interview. Most – and certainly most large graduate employers – will select a smaller number of candidates to go forward to a further round of interviews, and perhaps an assessment or selection centre, before making their final decisions.

Each organisation has its own individual method of recruiting and selecting graduates, and the nature of that selection process will be determined by the nature of the organisation to which you have applied.

Most organisations will hold some form of initial interview for those candidates shortlisted, and many will then go on to assess those successful at that first round of the selection process at a selection or assessment centre.

A recruiting organisation will contact you when it has completed sifting through the applications it has received to tell you that you have been invited for interview. This is usually done in writing, but increasingly now you may be contacted by telephone or email. You will, at this stage, be told when and where your interview will be held and with whom, and also what form it will take. You may, for example, be told that you will be interviewed for 45 minutes by someone from Human Resources and that you will also be asked to sit numerical and verbal reasoning tests, each lasting 20 minutes.

Do not be afraid to contact the recruiting organisation if you are unsure, from their communication, what to expect. Forewarned is forearmed!