The 4 Stages of a Graduate Recruitment Program

You've probably heard this comparison before, but the interview process is like a less exciting first date. Let's be honest: a job interview isn't fun unless you're an extremely rare type of individual who thrives on being critiqued and evaluated.

You will be better prepared if you know as much as possible. Knowing the hiring process in general will help you be more prepared for meeting with a potential employer. Recruiting plans (and dates!) from different companies will have some slight differences. You can get a leg up on other applicants by researching the company's hiring process, which is likely to be posted on the company's website (at least for the larger companies).

There is a lot of competition for the best graduate recruitment programs, so getting a head start on your job search is important as soon as possible. If you want to hire the right graduates, this article will walk you through the four steps of the process:

Stage 1: Attraction

To begin the graduate recruitment process, interest must first be attracted. Recruiters for recent graduates often come to campus for job fairs, public lectures, and event sponsorships. This gives you the chance to make a good first impression.

Stage 2: Application

To begin your application process, please follow these steps:

Online application form- Applying online is the first step in the hiring process for most companies. Include your resume, cover letter, transcripts, and proof of citizenship or residency. You'll be evaluated for participation in graduate recruitment and/or consideration for specific roles based on the data you provide.

Online assessment- After this, qualified candidates may be asked to take an online skills and abilities test. Future success can be predicted through multiple-choice or gamified tests. Some companies use values tests to guarantee employee dedication and contentment over the long term.

The majority of graduate recruitment assessment sites will link you to a site that explains their exams so you can get ready for them in advance. Learn as much as you can about their testing procedures. If you can relax, you'll do better.

Stage 3: Assessment Centres

In every case, an interview is conducted after a candidate has applied. As technology has improved, more and more companies are willing to do interviews over the phone, through online video chat (Skype), or even through videos that have already been made.

Phone/Skype interviews- There is nothing more annoying than having your interview call cut off in the middle of your conversation. If possible, use a landline or go somewhere with a reliable cell phone and internet service. Recruiters of graduate recruitment programs can learn more about you from a phone or video chat interview before deciding whether they want to see you in person. They are, thus, very significant. Be prepared for questions of a behavioral or situational nature.

Pre-recorded video interviews- You may see the recruiter's face asking you prerecorded questions, or you may just see text appear on the screen. Even in a prerecorded video interview, you may only have 30 seconds to think of a response before it is permanently recorded. On the websites of the majority of video service providers, you can find practice video interview options and helpful hints.

Face-to-Face interviews- The last step in the graduate recruitment process is usually these interviews, which may involve a panel. A chat with the person in charge of your hiring and maybe even some of the other employees. Be ready to talk about your skills and experience, as well as why you want to work for the company in question.

Stage 4: Selection

During this time in graduate recruitment, HR and the person or people in charge of making the hire will get together to evaluate candidates against the job's specifications. If you are chosen as one of the best candidates, a hiring manager will get in touch with you to talk about a formal job offer. Most of the time, someone is given a job offer after they have signed an employment contract.

Be Prepared

Nobody has ever said that being overly prepared is a good thing. Doing your homework and getting as much practice as possible before a big exam is the best way to increase your chances of passing. It's a great way to get real-world experience before applying to graduate recruitment programs, which will help you stand out from the competition.