Scots graduates should ensure they are not bottom of the class

Scotlandís university graduates are being warned by a top recruitment specialist to ëdo their homeworkí if they expect to get on the career ladder quickly. Simon Warner, Manager of the Temporary Division at Thorpe Molloy Recruitment which places candidates across Scotland, has been shocked by the lack of preparation undertaken by new graduates prior to interview.



Graduatesí lackadaisical approach to interviews really hit home for Thorpe Molloy when the team received feedback from companies who were trying to fill graduates vacancies for posts in and around Aberdeen. Some oil and gas companies have reported difficulties in recruiting high quality graduates this year, despite starting salaries of up to 24k.

ìSchool may be out for Scotlandís new graduates,î says Simon, ìBut that doesnít mean they should say good bye to homework.î

ìWe were shocked at the feedback which told us how poorly prepared most of the graduates interviewed were,î continues Simon. ìDespite being briefed on the posts, most had little knowledge of the company or the industry, yet they had responded to a recruitment advert in the press. No one can prepare for every interview question which they may be asked ñ but the successful candidates are often the ones who have done the most ëhomeworkí before the big day.î

Comments and behaviour from interviewees included:

ìSo what do you do here?î

Being inappropriately presented for a professional environment ñ wearing facial piercings and with tattoos on show Baring midriffs

Using a standard letter to apply which bore no relationship to the post

Spelling mistakes and poor grammar in letters ñ including spelling the name of the company incorrectly

ìResearching the potential employer can take many forms,î says Simon. ìWhen we arrange interviews for our candidates, we provide them with background information, but if you have applied for an advertised position then there are certain research steps you can take.î

Simon advises;

Reading Material

Find as many sources as you can ñ a company website can be invaluable, but you may be able to access annual or quarterly reports, corporate brochures and vision or mission statements. If the company has close alliances with other organisations it is worth finding out about them too.

What The Papers Say

Look in the local, national and trade press to see what the media makes of the organisation. The internet is a good starting place, but there is also the good old fashioned library where youíll find back editions of trade magazines and business publications which may be relevant.

Dress Code

It can be important to ëlook the partí at interview, so dress to impress. There is no harm in asking about the office dress code when you call to confirm attendance at an interview.

Ask Around

Donít under estimate how much you can find out about a company ñ or at least how a company is perceived ñ can be found just by asking around. Always weigh this up with the results of your other research.

Job Description

Most employers will provide one prior to the interview ñ if not ñ ask for one as it will help you to be prepared.

Your Application

ìMany candidates completely forget to reread their own application for a post before they go to interview,î says Simon. ìYou should make sure that you have read your own application again just before the interview. This is especially important if there has been a long time between you writing it and the interview ñ or if you have submitted several differing applications for other jobs at the same time.î

ìTo really stand out from the rest however,î concludes Simon, ìAttitude is key. Being genuinely interested in the company as well as the job on offer is vital for new graduates.

Thorpe Molloy Recruitment is a market leader in Scotland in the provision of recruitment services in accountancy, finance and office support. More about Thorpe Molloy Recruitment can be found at