How firms select the best candidates

VIRTUALLY all leading employers now expect those applying for graduate jobs to meet minimum academic standards.

According to the Graduate Market in 2012 report, more than two-thirds insist on a 2.1 degree, while a quarter specify a minimum UCAS tariff – the score corresponding to the grades a person achieves at Higher or A-level.

Almost every major employer now uses an online application form at the start of their graduate selection process. More than four-fifths use some form of aptitude test, but fewer rely on personality or psychometric questionnaires.

Most graduate recruiters use competency or behavioural-based interviews, but up to a third conduct skills-based or strengths-based assessments.

Three-quarters of employers assessed applicants through group exercises and more than half used presentations.

Other popular elements were case studies, written exercises and role plays.