Students advised how to leave a lasting impression

Students advised how to leave a lasting impression
Job hunters should prepare to make an impact on potential employers, says AGCAS

With an uncertain job market beckoning for this yearís graduate cohort, students need to ensure they make a lasting impression on potential employers, according to AGCAS, the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Recent reports have offered mixed views about this yearís graduate prospects, with some predicting an increase in vacancies and others a sharp deterioration in job opportunities.

ìWith such uncertainty it is vital that students treat interviews seriously and see them as an opportunity to make a real impact on a potential employer,î says Margaret Dane, AGCAS chief executive. ìLeaving a strong impression could mean that even if employers currently have limited vacancies or are waiting to see what happens with the economy, they will remember the candidate when ready to recruit.î

AGCASís careers experts have developed a series of tips to help students ensure they maximise their interviews and leave a lasting impression on recruiters.

1. Try to get hold of a job description for the role in advance and if you canít, find out as much as you can and jot down what you imagine are the key tasks involved in the job. Then think about the skills needed for these activities and go through each of them with the interviewer.

2. Research the organisation and its competitors in detail and prepare a convincing list of reasons of why you want to work there, rather than anywhere else.

3. Treat every interview as though it is a formal business presentation and you are selling yourself. Know your own strengths and be enthusiastic in putting them over. For some occupations, it is usual to bring relevant artefacts such as a show reel or example of your creative work. From your research you need to make a ërisk judgementí about what would be appropriate for the company.

4. Read at least two quality broadsheet newspapers (especially the business pages) in the days leading up to your interview and the latest issues of the relevant trade press. Be proactive in mentioning topical issues in the interview. Donít wait to be grilled.

5. Think laterally. Rather than just researching the company itself, find out about its competitors too. Ask polite but challenging questions about what youíve learned.

6. Donít assume you can wing it! If an employer has indicated key qualities or skills they require, eg integrity, think about how you can demonstrate that you have that quality or skill.

7. Donít make glib comments. It wonít go down well, particularly with companies who have been up against it in the current economic climate.

8. Try to demonstrate that you have passion. You can make a real impression by talking about something you are passionate about, even if itís unrelated to the job.

9. Be confident but not complacent about what you can bring to the organisation and why you would be good value for money. When making your salary pitch show that you understand the current state of the business and appreciate the investment they will be making in you.

10. Donít talk doom and gloom about graduate prospects. Appear confident you will find a job. Be larger than life, but not over the top. And demonstrate that you are a grown up, ready for business life and able to communicate with your interviewer on equal terms.

11. Check things out first with your careers adviser if you are unsure about your own approach to interviews.


AGCAS represents the Careers Services and c. 1200 professional staff in over 130 institutions of Higher Education throughout the UK and Eire. It enhances their activities through collaboration in areas such as professional development, raising quality standards, the gathering and dissemination of information on graduate careers and the production of information products and services, including many of those produced by CSU, for HE students and graduates.