Anybody who has ever been to a job interview, regardless of whether it was for a graduate position or not, will be aware of the common questions which can crop up. There will almost certainly be more specific questions regarding the role you are going for or the company you’re speaking to, but it is also likely that the same generic questions that accompany most interviews will need to be dealt with.
But what are these questions and how should you be looking to respond?
What do you see as your key strengths and weaknesses?
It is probably a good idea to try and highlight skills which are required and specified in the job description. Try to emphasise tangible skills and give examples of these so the interviewee can understand how well those strengths can be applied to this particular position.
When considering your weaknesses, try to mention the ones that you have already worked to redress. If your IT skills are not very high, explain what you have done in order to improve them, such as attending IT classes for example. This will demonstrate a willingness to work on any existing weaknesses and a general maturity towards the topic.
Why exactly do you want to work here?
This is always a tricky one to tackle. The interviewer is probably looking for a response that shows that you wish to work with their company in particular. They would like to feel special and to know that you value their company significantly. Therefore, gathering as much information as possible about them and their values is definitely a good idea in advance of the interview.
Applying for a graduate position is virtually guaranteed to be difficult regardless of the position; the above tips may help you to gain that vital edge.