Five Pillars

These five pillars are at the core of graduate recruitment. They are what recruiters look for in potential employees.

All five pillars do not have equal weighting. Weightings are flexible and strengths in one area will make up for weaknesses in other areas.

These pillars will be at the core of this blog.

Education

There isn't much I can talk about here. The higher your GPA/WAM - the more doors that will open up for you. Furthermore, what university you go to does matter. Simply, a distinction average from a G08 university will be looked upon more highly than a non-G8. If you do not go to a G08, all is not lost - make it up in another pillar.

Experience (work and extracurricular) 
 
Experience is something that will get you in the door, but not necessarily get you an offer. What will get you an offer is how you sell your experience (interview technique). Spending 6 months teaching children in Cambodia can be as impressive as a Shift Supervisor at Woolies if you know how to sell it well.

Application

Cover letters, resumes, and pyschometric testing. Take to time to perfect every application you do. Research the organisation you are applying for. And make sure there are no spelling errors.

Interview technique

Great, you’ve scored yourself an interview – now it’s time to sell yourself. This pillar covers everything from knowing how to effortlessly answer behavioral questions to how to project your voice. How you perform in an interview will make or break your chances of an offer.

And don’t forget, always be closing.

Personality

Your confidence, likeability, and swagger – whatever you want to call it, employers are looking for someone they can see themselves working with. Don’t worry if you don’t have any of the previously mentioned qualities, they can be easily learnt/faked.