Interviewing Fresh Graduates

Hi!

My name is SH, a recruitment consultant with one of the local firm in Penang. I was invited to My1stPath to share about my experience on interviewing of fresh graduates. I have never written blogs before and this is my 1st time, so, if my blog is boring, please pardon me. I was reluctant at first to write but somehow I felt strongly and wanted to help more fresh graduates on starting right with their 1st job.

I am not going to paint a picture in my sharing as I felt you need to know the truth about the real world not the “ideal world” of employment.

Hmm… Where should I start? There is a long list to share… most of my experience of interviewing fresh graduates honestly is very disappointing. When we called them up for screening, we noted that majority of these candidates do not know what jobs they are applying. When they are called by a recruiter, they will pause and then said I did not apply to the job but then the recruiter actually shortlisted them through the advertisement they have posted. This will indeed give a very negative 1st impression. My advice is if you’re applying for a job, write it down in a note i.e. which company you have applied to in order not to loose the 1st chance for interview. Recruitment agencies will give you a chance but for employers, they will reject your application instantly. Worst still, I have come across some candidates who actually wrote in to my email through advertisements which I put up in Jobstreet. They wrote directly to me and after 5 days I called them up and the relpies I received shocked me as they said they did not apply for the said job. So, I had to refresh them on the date/time they sent the applications to me. For me, I will reject these candidates’ applications, as it seemed that these candidates are not really serious in getting into a real job. They just hit the “send” button with their resumes and hope that someone will call them up for interview appointments.

From my past experience, most of the candidates that I interviewed, I realized that most of these jobseekers are quite ignorant about the importance of resume. The job market is very competitive and recruiters from companies have many resumes to screen and shortlist and who do you think they will shortlist?

Do you know that a good resume/write-up will provide you with an opportunity to employment? At least, you will be shortlisted for the 1st interview with the employer. How do I define a good resume? Jobstreet has a standard format and I am sure most of you have already registered with them. My advice is, spend some time planning and drafting your resume as this is the first crucial step.

Bear in mind that when you write your resume, keep it short and precise. Use effective and powerful words and if you are a fresh graduate, always remember to emphasize on the university/college and school activities that you have participated. Also, state the projects that you have participated and also your role in these projects. If you have internship, do state it down and also if you have done any part-time/casual job or volunteer work. Always remember to state clearly your responsibilities, roles and your achievements/what you have learned during your varsity/college days.

Getting testimony from your supervisor during your internship will be very helpful as it will immediately increase your chance for hiring consideration.

What you must not do. Do not copy your friends resume and send it to an employer. I have interviewed candidates before with almost the same content in their resume. Yes, the world is that small. Always remember, lies will be spotted easily but truth will touch people’s hearts.

We have bridged candidates who are not excellent in their academic but have good attitude. Bottom-line is, it doesn’t matter how good or bad your grade is, as long as you have good attitude and willingness to learn, you will be HIRED for the job. This is what employers are looking for NOW.

Be prepared that when you applied for a job, note down which company and position you applied for and always do your research before attending the interview. If you do this, you will at least be sure to be called for 1st interview.

Well, hope this sharing helps… all the best to you.

Cheers

Article contributed by SH

Picture source: Internet