The graduate recruitment process

The process from job application to job offer can be quite the journey so, before graduate recruitment season kicks off, take 5 minutes to know what’s ahead and make sure you’re prepared.   

Every company approaches recruitment in its own way but the format is relatively common across the board involving some or all of the following 6 steps:

1. Online Application

   If you’re applying to a large company, chances are you will start with an online application via their Applicant Tracking System (ATS). You will be asked to enter your personal information including education and work experience. Applicants often get frustrated, wondering why they are adding information that is on their resume. Let’s remove the frustration by explaining how they work. Leading companies receive thousands of applications each year. Sorting and ranking applicants manually would take months – by which time you are likely hired somewhere else. The ATS bears the load of the initial shortlisting task, helping the recruiters to respond to applicants quicker. Good news for you.

   There are many ATS systems out there but they all work in pretty much the same way with the recruiter specifying which filters are relevant to each job type. These filters are used by the ATS to create a shortlist in which applicants are listed in ranked order, based on how many keywords are found that match the filters. For example, if the job opportunity advertised says they want a Software Engineering graduate with experience in C and Python, the applications that feature all 3 keywords will rank higher than those with only 2 or 1. With this in mind, take time to tailor your online application to make sure that keywords in the job ad are mirrored in your application wherever appropriate. Never leave any field blank as it could just cost you a place in the shortlist.

2. Resume and Cover Letter

   Your resume is likely the most important professional document you will write and it’s pretty much guaranteed you will need one to apply for a job. With many templates available online it can be confusing knowing which is best. Added to that, resume etiquette differs from country to country. My advice is to keep it a simple word document without fancy layouts or graphics (which may confuse the ATS). It’s what’s in the resume, not how it looks, that counts. Employers will expect your resume to show, in chronological order, your work history, education and relevant university projects. Your resume should be supported by an introductory cover letter which you have written especially for this specific vacancy. A big tip for both documents is that they need to show your motivational fit – why do you want this job? as this will help you to stand out.

   There’s a formula to writing a professional resume and cover letter and is covered in the Career Kickstarter online module ‘How to write a great resume and cover letter’. Once you’ve viewed the module, upload your updated resume for feedback from an Employability Advisor. If you want a bit more support, book a 20 min 1:1 consult.  

3. Telephone Interview

   Once you’ve made it to the initial shortlist, a short telephone interview is often the next step. The purpose of the telephone interview is to check that you are the real deal so the recruiter will verify your interest in the job and your availability i.e. can attend an assessment centre or interview on a set date. This type of call usually comes without warning so make sure you have a professional voicemail message ready in case you miss the call. Expect to be asked why you applied - the ‘why do you want this job?’ question again. It’s a chance to be confident and summarise your skills – think ‘Elevator Pitch’. Don’t forget to show enthusiasm and smile while you talk (they can tell), remembering to thank them for their call. 

4. Online Testing

   The type of testing used will be determined by the type of role you applied for. For example, it stands to reason that the testing for a Software Developer will involve some kind of assessment of  coding ability. Psychometric testing is where they assess your personality traits to identify what kind of work environment you’re best suited to. This may also include assessment of your cognitive ability i.e. can you identify patterns, solve problems, complete mathematical challenges. Modern psych testing is gamified and designed to be fun. Not so much you’ll forget it’s an application test unfortunately but they are definitely better than assessments used 10 years ago. I’m often asked how to prepare for these assessments and my answer is always the same – do the assessment at the time of day when you are at your best, remove any distractions and always be yourself. Many psych tests are tailored to identify applicants that fit the specific culture of the company. You won’t know what that they are looking for so try not to answer as though you think you know. You could inadvertently put yourself out of making the next shortlist.

   Cognitive assessment is part of the Career Kickstarter Assessment Centre held each semester. Complete the ‘Core Four’ online modules to be eligible to attend and experience these assessments.

5. Video Interview

   If you haven’t come up against a video interview yet, it’s almost guaranteed that you will. Many students say this is the stage that makes them the most nervous as they are not accustomed to appearing on camera. I get it. I’m not mad about this too but this is something we must overcome, and not just for the sake of future video interviews. Most jobs involve some kind of presentation or meeting using video conferencing so it’s important to be confident when speaking to camera. Read How to succeed in a Video Interview to get the facts you need.

6. Assessment Centre

   If you’ve made it to this stage, you are a serious contender. The Assessment Centre brings together all applicants on the final shortlist for the assessment activities that determine the final hiring decision. Assessment Centres can last anywhere from 2 hours to 2 days. You will be assessed as you participate in a range of activities and your scores will determine your rank order when job offers are being handed out.

   Most graduate employers are looking to identify a similar skillset so the assessment activities have a degree of commonality; Group Activities to identify how you work with others, Presentations to assess your communication ability and Individual Interviews where you will meet the person who will be your Manager if you get the job. These events are usually tiring and always nerve wracking, especially the first. We can help. Get some practice and insight on how to perform at your best by attending a Career Kickstarter Assessment Centre held at UQ every semester.

   The EAIT Employability Team are here to support you as you get ready for your job application process. The best place to start is with the online modules in Career Kickstarter. Check out our webpage to find out more about how we can help.