Graduate Recruitment Drive Insights

Graduate Recruitment is something that I get genuinely excited about. There is something about seeing the next generation of talent and future leaders that is particularly inspiring.

I’ve had the pleasure of playing a role in the design and delivery of Virgin Australia’s Graduate recruitment drive earlier in my career and more recently I was a panel member for the nbn Graduate assessment centres.

In my role as a Career Advisor, I’ve also had the pleasure of supporting recent graduates to get their first real world career opportunity with the employer of their choice and I’m proud to have played a role in helping a select group of individuals on their journey to becoming a Pilot, Finance Professional and Engineer to name a few.

Some of the insights from my involvement in graduate recruitment are:

Consider including a personal statement / objective on your CV.

For recent graduates it may be useful to demonstrate genuine motivations for the industry and the chosen career path in a really authentic way.

Expand on your work experience in your CV and the skills you have gained.

Some people over-simplify the roles they have held, and they downplay the abilities they have gained – particularly in causal roles. Often a role in a customer service position, for example will equip an individual with skills such as problem-solving, working to deadlines, working under pressure and dealing with difficult people.

Include volunteering roles and achievements.

Volunteering roles are a great way to demonstrate your commitment to going above and beyond to improve the community and supporting a cause that you are passionate about.

Include your key academic, sporting or work achievements. The graduate recruitment process is competitive and so to stand-out, ensure to include your unique achievements, even the smaller ones.

Assessment Centre

If you have made it through the shortlisting stage and have gained a spot at the assessment centre, congratulations. Often the thought of a group assessment centre can bring emotions of anxiety, stress and fear. Preparation is key to feeling confident and comfortable.

Some things to prepare for are:

• An icebreaker – be prepared to introduce yourself and share something interesting.

• Group activity – prepare for a virtual assessment centre as this is becoming more common. If it’s a virtual group activity, think about the various ways that you can demonstrate the qualities of teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving and communication.

• 1:1 interview – become familiar with answering behavioural questions using the STAR method. Remember to focus on your action rather than the scenario itself.

• Ask some questions – some well thought out questions will demonstrate your genuine interest, motivations and company research.

I feel privileged to be able to support individuals who are early in their career. Talk to me about how I can support you or someone you know who is embarking on this very exciting journey.