Inasmuch as a great many ex-students do this, it seems to be a perfectly normal thing to do. Some folk just take a rest for a few months, others may decide to do casual work whilst "travelling", and some may even do voluntary work (such as VSO). But, whatever, the day comes when they need to start looking at the lists of Graduate Vacancies and getting on with their post-student lives.
For the purpose of these notes we will assume that the candidate is already familiar with the usual sources of adverts for Graduate Vacancies. Those being, briefly, the newspapers & trade specific magazines, the graduate recruitment agencies, and the Internet jobs boards. These latter being an interesting new(ish) phenomenon that the uninitiated would be well advised to investigate
We will assume too that the candidate is already well versed in the need to prepare CV's and letters of application for Graduate Vacancies to professional standards, and to tailor them to the individual jobs and the recruiting company's circumstances. Only to add that, perhaps, if necessary a candidate should get professional help so as to be sure of making a good enough paper presentation to secure that all-important interview.
For recruiters trying to fill Graduate Vacancies, the interview is the critical stage of the process. For the candidates, however, it can be an uncomfortable time. They are now being assessed by professional standards, as opposed to student standards, and it is an unfamiliar experience. For example, whereas it might have been quite acceptable for them to previously have gone to lectures in jeans and a tea shirt, it would be in-advisable (!) to dress like that when interviewing for a professional graduate position.
Likewise being asked to speak, or make some kind of presentation, to a Graduate Vacancies interview panel can be an unfamiliar experience for some. Although this is an area where some folk may have acquired valuable experience by being active on student sports & social committees, or perhaps through voluntary work.
As it happens, however, one of the ways of preparing for job interviews is 'to practice them'. By which I mean each time one is interviewed for Graduate Vacancies try to learn from the experience. If you are unsuccessful, ask for some feedback; don't let yourself be dis-heartened, your experience should help you to be better prepared for the next time.
Many people suffer from interview nerves. Its only natural, they are taking part in an experience that could effect the nature and direction of the rest of their lives. So how can they prepare for these Graduate Vacancies interviews in such a way as to minimise these kinds of anxiety.
Well there are some questions that are almost predictable in Graduate Vacancies interviews. Here are two to be going on with ... and what you could do to prepare yourselves for them ...
A question designed to find out how much you already know about the company.
A question, perhaps even a final question, asking whether "you" have any questions to ask them.
To prepare for the first one, do a little research before your Graduate Vacancies interview. Start with the company web-site, then move on to ask your recruitment consultant ... he/she may even be able to give you a name / tel. no. of someone already working for the company who would talk to you about the company.
To prepare for the second one, think carefully. Your Graduate Vacancies interview panel may possibly have asked it in order to learn some more about what 'makes you tick'. Whatever ... more preparation should mean less uncertainty, and therefore less anxiety.
