Interviews can feel like the most daunting part of any graduate job application. I’ve sat through my fair share of them, and I know how overwhelming it can be to anticipate every possible question. The good news? With the right preparation, you can walk into any interview feeling far more confident.
1. Research the company
Generally, when applying for a role at a company, it is good practice to find out as much as you can about the company you have applied to. This means going beyond their ‘About Us’ page and doing some investigating.
For example, find out:
- Who are their past clients?
- What are some of their accomplishments?
- What was their most recent project?
- What are their corporate values?
Sometimes, interviewers will pose a question along the lines of: “Why do you want to work at (insert organisation)?” or “Why did you decide to apply for (insert job role)?”. These questions are intended to gauge if you have a clear understanding of how the company operates, and how your interests fit.
2. Understand their values and culture
Most companies highlight their values on their website because culture is a big part of how they hire.
Think about:
- How your own values align with theirs
- Which of your traits make you a good cultural fit
- Whether this is truly an environment where you’d thrive
Sometimes, it can be useful to take an introspective moment to evaluate whether or not you feel their values match your personal views and whether the culture they have shaped is something you would like to be a part of. If you feel very strongly that it is a place you would like to work, then be prepared to openly express how your values and motivations align within the graduate job interview.
3. Keep up with industry news
Whilst it is good to have strong knowledge regarding an organisation itself, it’s also beneficial to keep up to date with the state of the industry the company operates in. Remember that graduate job interviews are to assess your fit for a job role as well as your fit within their industry.
It’s not always explicitly stated in job roles, but demonstrating commercial awareness in an interview helps show a real passion for the industry beyond the company. You should stay up to date with:
- Policy changes
- Market trends
- Recent challenges and opportunities
4. Know the role expectations
I touched on this briefly in the last point, but I think’s useful to dedicate a little time to discuss it further. The job description details the general requirements and desirables, but you can also go a step further to investigate what industry-related skills might lift you above the competition.
For example, you might research:
- Industry-specific skills that go beyond the job post
- Transferable skills that the company values
- Experiences you have that can highlight the right strengths and help you stand out
5. Use your network
Networking won’t hand you the job, but it can open doors. That’s why you’ve probably heard multiple times, from multiple professors in multiple instances throughout your studies, that networking is very important!
Reach out to:
- Alumni working in your target industry
- Connections on LinkedIn who can share “day in the life” insights
- Professors or mentors who may know hiring managers
Sometimes jobs aren’t even advertised, and your network can give you information you won’t find online.
6. Research salary benchmarks
Before any graduate job interview, you should do some digging into the average salary for the specific industry role you are applying for. This will allow you to negotiate with the recruiter if you feel the salary is below your skills, experience, and industry average.
7. Prepare for interview questions
Perhaps the most obvious, you should prepare for interview questions. The classic opener, “So, tell me about yourself”, often catches people off guard. Instead of rambling through your life story, use this as a chance to deliver your elevator pitch, which is a 1-2 minute summary of your background, skills, and what you bring to the role.
You should also prepare for:
- Competency questions: e.g. “Tell me about a time you worked in a team.”
- Behavioural questions: e.g. “How do you handle pressure?”
- Situational questions: e.g. “What would you do if a client disagreed with your analysis?”
Practising these in advance will help you stay calm and focused on the day.
Graduate interviews can be nerve-wracking, but preparation makes all the difference. By researching the company, understanding their values, keeping up with industry trends, and preparing thoughtful answers, you’ll set yourself apart from other candidates.
Good luck, and happy job hunting!
