Graduate Select is fast approaching and so we thought this week we’d give you a bit of last minute expert advice on how to prepare for the event. Below is an article written by one of our University of London Careers Advisers on general preparation techniques…

In telephone interviews for a financial services employer early in 2008 one of the questions asked was, ‘Tell me about a recent financial news story that has interested you.’ A large number of candidates mentioned the sub-prime mortgage situation that had been in the news for several weeks. Apart from the fact that this was such an obvious (and therefore boring) answer, it was also a bit of mystery that none of these candidates had thought through the potential implications of what they were reading. Within a few weeks the employer had drastically scaled back their graduate recruitment intake. Many candidates who had struggled through most of the rigorous selection procedure were just dumped.

Anyone who was capable of performing some basic research on the nature of that company should have been capable of predicting that this was a strong possibility. The complete failure of these intelligent candidates to think through the potential consequences of the information they were receiving, or even to perform a basic SWOT analysis may explain why the financial sector has got itself into such a mess.

Now more than ever it is important to undertake thorough research on any employers you are considering. This doesn’t just mean finding out a few facts about their history and clients that you can regurgitate at an interview. Look in detail at their company reports to get an idea of how the business as a whole is structured. Don’t just cram on business news a few days before applying. Keep constantly up to date with developments in the sector and the business world as a whole. Read every news report as if you were the chief executive; think about the potential implications for the organisation.

That might just stop you applying to a company that is about to go down the pan.

Be part of it

www.gradselect.co.uk