University of Manchester Careers Blog

Written by Jenny Sloan, Careers Consultant for Graduate Transitions at The Careers Service

Different graduate jobs have different recruitment processes. If you’re applying for a graduate entry-level role with a SME, or start-up, you may be asked to submit your CV and Cover Letter before being invited to an interview with the CEO. If you’re applying for a graduate scheme, chances are you’ll face multiple selection rounds, ranging from applications and psychometric tests, to assessment centres and interviews in various formats.

Whichever stage of the recruitment process you’re at, the Careers Service has lots of support and resources available to help you successfully navigate each round.

Psychometric tests

The first round of recruitment for larger graduate schemes often involve online psychometric tests. These can range from situational judgement tests to reasoning tests (including critical reasoning), personality questionnaires to gamified assessments.

As well as our online resources, have a look at our psychometric tests FAQs for more specific information and advice on how to effectively prepare. Students and recent graduates can access a range of practice tests via Graduates First.

The Careers Service also runs regular events, such as Prepare for Situational Judgement Tests on Wednesday, 13 October (1-2pm).

Here on the Careers Service Blog, we have further information about employer selection tests and requesting additional support if you have a disability.

Applications

Have a look on our website for more support with CVs, Cover Letters and application forms, including useful templates and examples. You can instant feedback on your CVs and Cover Letters using CareerSet, and can book 20 minute application advice appointments via CareerConnect for more advice on how you can structure and tailor your applications. For more advice on application forms, check out our 7 most common application mistakes (and how to avoid them).

You can get application-ready at your own speed, whenever and wherever you want via our range of short online modules. Have a look at CareerConnect Pathways to find out more.

Assessment centres

Assessment centres are often one of the last stages of the recruitment and selection process. To help you prepare, check out our Assessment Centre Guide packed with advice and tips. We also have an employer blog about remote assessment centres, written by Zoe Mitton at FDM.

For an introduction to virtual assessment centres, including practice of group tasks, register for our Virtual Mock Assessment Centre on Wednesday, 27 October (1.15-3.30pm).

Interview

Interviews can take many forms, from face-to-face to telephone and video, one-to-one to group interviews. We have lots of support available no matter the format or mode. Find out how to prepare for a variety of interviews on our Interview pages. You can practice for video interviews using ShortList.Me or book a 30-minute interview simulation with a Careers Consultant to get feedback on your interview technique and answers, and ask any questions you may have.

Over on our blog we often post articles to help you get interview-ready. Recent articles include 5 common interview mistakes (and how to avoid them) and 7 most popular interview questions (and how to answer them).

The Careers Service regular runs interview events, which you can find on CareerConnect’s Event Calendar. Upcoming events include Interviews and Assessment – Live Q&A for current or recent taught postgraduates on Tuesday, 26 October 2021 (1-2pm) and Interviews and Assessment – Live Q&A for PhD & doctoral researchers on Friday, 29 October (1-2pm).

The Careers Service is here to support you through the recruitment process for volunteering, part-time jobs, graduate jobs, training programmes, further study and much more. Remember, you can continue to access the Careers Service throughout your time at University, and for up to two years after you finish your course.