The Top 7 mistakes 98% of graduates make in their

graduate interviews and how YOU can avoid them

So you want to be successful?

Do you want to create a life which is truly rewarding?
Do you want the best possible start to your career?
Do you truly want to be successful?
Yes? Then you need to get that graduate job.
You need to pass the interview, where over 98% of your peers will fail.

To become part of that elite 2%

all you have to do is read on..

Number 1

Know what competencies the company is looking for (their

website will tell you)

e.g. leadership, work ethic, customer service, team

environment etc.
Ensure you have stories (examples) that can illustrate these.
Make sure you quantify your examples wherever possible

Number 2
Practice your answers so you sound fluid.
Be succinct.
Always refer to an actual example.

Always refer to yourself in first personI did this, not we did

this.
Make your point then stop talking.
Pick your best example of the competency asked e.g. when
were you a leader, when did you demonstrate going the
extra mile?

Number 3
STAR Technique for Behavioral Questions
eg Tell me about a time when you recognised a problem and what did
you do about it?
SITUATION I was the Membership Officer for the UNSW Commerce
Society
TASK I noticed that our numbers had dropped by 30% over the last
three years and wanted to do something about it
ACTION I designed a new promotion packet and distributed it around
campus. I also organised a stall at O week and talked about the
society at open days, in order to raise awareness.
RESULT I increased membership by 18%

Number 4
Body language be aware of what message your body is sending.
Smile naturally and often.
Talk clearly and confidently.
Dont be afraid to pause and think before you speak.
Keep eye contact but dont stare.
Be articulate and precise with your words.
Sit upright and dont slouch.

Number 5
Business Awareness be aware of what is happening in the
economy

general

Know the key statistics (read the latest annual report) and latest
developments in the company.
Know who their main competitors are.
Understand what's happening in the broader business context and
how it affects them - be prepared to talk about this.

Number 6

Sell yourself; this is your time to shine so dont hold back

(practice this)

Be confident about what you can offer to them but be

gracious at all times (practice this too!)
Always be looking to score a point when you open speak.
Be positive, even when talking about a challenging
experience.

Number 7

Make a great first impression and leave a great last

impression.

Dress appropriately.
Engage in general chat before the interview formally starts.
Ask the interviewer high quality questions, such as about
their experience, the company culture etc.
Say thank you and have a big smile when you finish.

Congratulations..you're through to the

next round!!!!
See next page for our upcoming event!

About the Author;

Andy Mackereth

Andy Mackereth is the Managing Director of

the Job Ready Institute. He used to run the
graduate program for Coca-Cola Amatil,
which was one of the best (and hardest!)
graduate programs to get into. He has
assessed and interviewed over 2,300
graduates.
Andy was getting frustrated that he was
having to reject huge numbers of graduates,
not necessarily because they were not good
enough, but because they hadn't prepared
properly. This wasnt the graduates fault,
because they were doing the best they could,
but because there was nothing out there
dedicated to helping them.
This is why the Job Ready Institute was
created, to help graduates prepare for the
most important assessment of their career
and to give themselves the greatest chance of
being successful.