How to Complete a Graduate Application Form

What is a Graduate Scheme

u Graduate schemes are not the only employment opportunities available to new graduates but they are highly sought after and extremely popular for a student

leaving college or university.

Why are Graduate Schemes so Popular?u Graduate programs offer new graduates good support when they are embarking

on their career.

u They provide graduates with the necessary training and development to broaden their skills and qualifications further.

u Many firms provide new recruits with a mentor, who will help them throughout the graduate program.

Why are Graduate Schemes so Popular?

u Many offer the opportunity to study for your professional qualification which is normally funded by the employer.

u They can provide a graduate with experience in different areas over the course of their graduate scheme.

Useful Points and Techniques

1. Shortlist your employers2. Research the employers3. Who is responsible for recruitment in the company4. Prep work is a must5. Psychometric tests6. Read through the application form before completing7. Completing the application8. Referees

1 - Shortlist your Employers

u Decide on the particular industry you would like to work in.

u Look at those employers that provide graduate schemes in that industry.

u Business or trade publications, graduate websites, colleges and your careers office should be able to provide lists of potential employers.

u Graduate career fairs are a great way to meet graduate recruiters.

2 - Research the Employersu Once you have established a list of those firms that you would like to work for you

should start researching the company.

u This can be done by looking at their websites to ascertain the type of work they do and the roles that they offer.

u By looking at employee profiles on LinkedIn you will get a better understanding of their roles and the type of work performed by graduates in that particular

company.

Researching the employer will help you determine:

1. If it is the type of company where you would like to work

2. Will it provide you with the opportunity that you want to develop your skills and experience.

3. It will further benefit you when you are completing their graduate application form.

4. It will enable you to demonstrate a good understanding of the company and what they do.

5. You will be better able to demonstrate the appropriate skills and competencies that that particular employer looks for.

3 - Who is Responsible for Recruitment in the Company

u Find out the name of the individual or individuals responsible for graduate recruitment in that particular company.

u When the employer company comes to your college or if you attend graduate career fairs, be sure to interact with the individuals from the company. Ask them

questions. This will offer you an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and experience. They are likely to remember interacting with you when they are

reviewing your application form.

4 - Preparation is a Mustu Employers will want to see evidence that you have done some initial research

into the company and the job role.

u They will be interested in graduates who appear to have a genuine interest and enthusiasm in the role and industry sector.

u Your application must appear to give a strong confident impression of you.

Your application should be:u Be consistent and to the point.

u Short and concise will improve the readability of your application.

u Avoid using business jargon instead focus on using verbs well and being specific with what you want to say.

u Demonstrate your skills and experience by giving appropriate examples.

Your application should be:

u Your writing should be professional and formal at all times.

u Read your responses to the question out loud as this will help you check that your writing sounds natural and makes sense.

THE FOLLOWING WORDS MAY BE USEFUL WHEN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE ON YOUR

GRADUATE APPLICATION FORM:

AchievedAdministered

AnalysedCreated

DelegatedDesigned

DevelopedExpandedImprovedIncreasedInitiatedInspired

InstructedManagedMonitored

NogotiatedOrganisedSupervised

Grammar

Use an apostrophe for possessives e.g. ‘the company’s products’

For plurals use e.g. ‘the companies’

The possessive ‘its’ does not have an apostrophe. It’s’ is short for ‘it is’

Who’ is a subject – it replaces ‘he’ or ‘she’

Whom’ is an object – it replaces ‘him’ or ‘her’

If it is a name of a person or organisation, use a capital letter in the middle of a sentence.

5 – Psychometric Testsu Majority of application forms will have psychometric tests or if not you're likely to

experience them at the assessment center.

u Psychometric tests assess your logic, reasoning ability, intelligence, problem-solving ability, ability to identify mistakes, numerical ability, as well as your verbal

ability.

u Different employers will use different tests.

5 – Psychometric Tests

u These tests enable the employer to ascertain whether the candidate has the necessary skills and ability to perform the job.

u Personality tests is another form of psychometric test. These are designed to determine whether the position is best suited to your character or personality

How to practice psychometric tests?u The career advice office in your college should be able to provide you with

additional information and practice questions.

u There is also plenty of websites online that have psychometric tests you can practice:

1. Practice Aptitude Tests2. CEB Global

3. Psychometric Institute4. Job Test Prep

5. Psychometric Test

6 – Read Through the Application Form

u Take the time to read through all the questions first.

u Think about what is it that the recruiter is looking for in each question.

u Structure each question constructively to demonstrate the necessary skills, competence and qualities that the employer is looking for.

6 – Read Through the Application Form

u The STAR approach is a very useful technique to use when answering these questions.

u Keep your answers concise and to the point.

u Check all spellings and grammar for any errors.

u Have someone else proofread your application form.

7 – Completing the Application

u It is important to read all the documentation and requirements carefully.

u Fill in all categories and additional subcategories.

u Remember to submit all supporting documents by the deadline date.

u Make sure you give yourself plenty of time. Some applications may take a few hours to complete.

8 - Referees

u Most graduate recruiters will look for at least two referees.

u You can use your current or previous employer and an academic referee from a college or university lecturer or course leader.

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