Screening for success: Top 5 questions to ask when hiring for a graduate role

When you’re hiring for a graduate role, you need to remember that the process, and the candidate, are very different from your usual hire.

The candidate is coming into this role straight from university, so it is unreasonable to expect them to have multiple years of hands-on experience under their belt or for them to know exactly what they are doing.

But without having previous experience, how do you know if they’ll be a good fit? Well, it comes down to their attitude and character.

Hiring for a graduate position can be an exciting opportunity for both your team and your business. Graduates come with numerous benefits. They bring with them fresh perspectives and ideas, as well as the most up-to-date industry knowledge and teachings that they learnt throughout their degree.

When starting their first job out of university, graduates will be enthusiastic to learn and make a good impression. You can almost think of a graduate as being like a sponge. They have no pre-existing industry experience, so they will be absorbing all the workplace practices you surround them with. This is your chance to mould the perfect employee, teaching them to do tasks the way you like them to be done.

However, there are some risks associated with hiring graduates. Job hopping has become a common trend for graduates and younger employees. So, it is important to be mindful of the fact that there’s a possibility your new recruit is using the position as a stepping stone in their career; once they believe they have gained what they can, they will move on, resulting in higher turnover rates for your company. Hiring graduates also means an increase in the outlay of company resources. Graduates will need to undergo more training than the average employee.

Despite the potential risks and challenges, we always encourage employers to hire graduates, especially when you consider how they can be an asset to your business. There are several ways to avoid the risks and a lot of it comes down to asking the right questions throughout the interview process. You’ll want to have several questions prepared that will help you gauge the candidate’s attitude, character, and the type of employee they’ll be.

A few questions you could ask in a job interview with a graduate are:

How do you handle challenging situations?

Knowing how a candidate handles stressful situations will give you insight into their ability to handle pressure and make decisions under difficult circumstances. The candidate’s answer will also give you insight into their problem-solving skills as well as their ability to work effectively and efficiently in challenging environments.

Can you provide an example of how you previously handled conflict with peers, coworkers, or supervisors?

Conflict is a common, unavoidable issue that arises in the workplace, and it’s imperative you understand how a candidate handles it for an effective workplace environment. Asking this question will give you an idea of the candidate’s ability to handle conflict whilst maintaining a degree of professionalism.

Can you provide an example of a time when you had to problem-solve and think creatively?

Problem-solving and creative thinking are essential skills to have in the workplace, especially in a fast-paced environment. The candidate’s answer will give you insight into their ability to think outside the box and whether they are able to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems.

How do you stay organised and prioritise tasks in a fast-paced environment?

Organisation and prioritisation are critical skills to have in the workplace. Asking the candidate how they stay organised will give you an idea of their ability to meet deadlines and stay on track, it will also be a good assessment of how they react when working under pressure and in a constantly changing environment.

Can you tell me about a project you worked on that you’re proud of?

Asking about projects that the candidate has worked on and they are proud of will give you an idea of their level of passion and commitment to their work. It will highlight their ability to work independently, as part of a team, and their problem-solving skills. The candidate’s answer will also give you insight into their strengths, weaknesses, and areas of expertise.

Throughout the interview, touch on areas of the candidate’s life where they have shown a level of commitment, especially if they are lacking work experience. You may want to ask about any extra-curriculum activities they were involved in and how long they stayed in previous roles.

Asking about the candidate’s time at university may also provide some insight into their character and work ethic. Did they go to university because everyone else was and they didn’t know what else to do? Or were they passionate about their degree and are now excited to keep growing throughout their career? This will also help you gain an understanding of the candidate’s level of passion and dedication towards their career, ultimately helping you with your hiring decision.

To gain a stronger understanding of the candidate’s intentions, some other questions you could ask throughout the interview are:

• What made you apply for this job?
• Why do you want to work at this company?
• What are your career aspirations?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• What do you believe you can contribute to the company?
• What do you hope to achieve and gain from this role?

The answers to these questions will give you insight into the candidate’s true intentions for the role and whether they see themselves working with you long-term, or if the position is a stepping stone to start off their career.

So, if you’re in the process of hiring a graduate, it’s important to keep in mind that experience shouldn’t be the only thing you look for. During the interview process, make sure you’re asking the right questions, you want to be finding out as much as you can about the candidate in terms of their attitude and overall character.

If you want a helping hand with your recruitment goals, fill out the form on this page and let us know how we can help!