ProGrad Melbourne

A good graduate employer?

We’re always keen to find out what you think makes a good graduate employer.  We conduct several surveys at ProGrad to identify what motivates a graduate to accept a role with an employer.

Is it because of the career progression on offer? Perhaps its because of the management team and the chemistry experienced there.  Perhaps it is the reward structure on offer.

The bottom line is, the reasons will vary depending on each individual and their key drivers to take a graduate position.  Each individual is driven by different things at the start of their career.  Ambitious graduates are looking for high levels of exposure, whereas a more cautious graduate is looking for structure and support from their employer.

It’s important that as a job seeker you are able to define what makes a good employer for YOU.  What is it that you’re looking for?  Once you have established this, you’ll find it easier to highlight the roles that suit your requirements.  In the interview process, you’ll again find it easier to identify which employer would be able to offer the right career path for you.

As a recent graduate myself, I remember being unclear about what I was looking for in terms of a job role and responsibilities.  I could however, identify the culture of the company I was looking for, and knew the amount of responsibility I wanted in a role.  I was able to identify the progression opportunity I was looking for also, and consequently was able to find an employer which could support my own goals. 

Working with graduates who are looking for jobs can be both inspiring and disappointing, all in the same day.  From a recruiter’s perspective, it is far easier to work with a graduate who is able to articulate and describe the environment which they need to be successful.  Once we can identify this, the rest comes a lot easier. If candidates themselves are unsure about their requirements, it makes our role as a recruiter even more difficult!

So, to summarise here are some tips:

1) Think about the environment you need (large, small, autonomous, supportive)

2) Think about the people you need around you

3) Think about the level of responsibility you are comfortable taking on

The content of the role is not something to be concerned about during an interview process.  If all of the other factors are in place, the role will prove to be enjoyable!

If you have any queries regarding this post, please don’t hesitate to contact the ProGrad office.

Virginia – Prograd