Graduate CVs can appear similar at first glance - same universities, similar degrees, and comparable academic achievements. Knowing what to look for in a graduate CV can be difficult. However, beneath the surface of similarities lie important indicators that can help you identify candidates with the potential to excel in your business.
In this guide, we'll help you cut through the noise and identify promising graduates efficiently. We'll explore the green lights that indicate potential and the red flags that warrant caution, helping you make more informed decisions in your graduate recruitment process.
Green Lights: Spot Potential on Graduate CVs
Clear and Simple Layout
The first indicator of a well-prepared graduate is their CV presentation. A clean, professional layout demonstrates attention to detail and understanding of business communication. Faultless spelling and grammar are green lights.
Relevant Academic Projects
While graduates may have limited work experience, their academic projects can provide valuable insights into their capabilities. These are individuals who effectively translate their academic work into business relevance. Strong candidates will describe their projects in terms of outcomes, teamwork, and practical applications rather than only theoretical knowledge.
Extra-curricular Activities and Leadership
Leadership potential often manifests through university/college activities, such as involvement within student bodies and sports teams, or in the form of volunteer work. These experiences help develop crucial soft skills like team management, communication, prioritisation and problem-solving. Look out for them in graduate CVs.
Digital Literacy and Technical Skills
Born into the digital age, today's graduates should demonstrate strong technical capabilities. Look for candidates who specify their level of expertise and contexts in which they've used these tools.
Evidence of Career Focus
Green light indicators include candidates who show clear career direction through their choices of internships, relevant part-time work, or targeted courses. These are highlighted in CVs that focus on recent achievements and skills that align with your position.
Quantifiable Achievements
Even if applying to an entry-level position, sensible candidates will quantify their impacts where possible. This could be through academic achievements, project outcomes, or results from part-time work. Spot the candidate who can demonstrate the value they've added in their educational journey and previous roles, however junior.
Professional Development Initiatives
Promising graduates show commitment to professional growth through additional certifications, online courses, or industry-specific training. This demonstrates initiative and a desire to expand their skill set beyond their tertiary education.
Red Flags That Warrant Caution On Graduate CVs
Graduates are on the cusp of their career and inexperience in the recruitment process may hinder their CV writing skills. Red flags should therefore not, in all cases, indicate automatic rejection. Should a graduate be shortlisted, it is wise to consider the extent of the red flag as well as investigate further.
To help in the process, consider the following potential red flags:
Unexplained Gaps in Timeline
While gaps in a graduate's history aren't automatically negative, unexplained periods in their education or early career are best received when succinctly explained in a CV or cover letter.
Graduates may have taken time off for valid reasons - travel, family responsibilities, or pursuing other opportunities. The red flag isn't the gap itself but the lack of explanation. Look out for transparency and the ability to handle potentially difficult conversations professionally.
Poor Formatting and Inconsistencies
An ill-formatted CV, misspelling of words, typos, and grammatical errors are major red flags.
Vague Claims Without Substance
Be wary of CVs filled with generic statements like "excellent communication skills" or "strong team player" without supporting evidence. Vague claims suggest a candidate may be struggling to articulate their experience and achievements.
Inflated Responsibilities
While ambition is admirable, over-inflation of basic responsibilities can be a warning sign. Keep an eye open for realistic descriptions that demonstrate an understanding of the graduate’s level of responsibility while still highlighting genuine accomplishments.
Misaligned Skills and Industry Knowledge
While not every skill needs to be directly related to the job specification, there should be evidence of genuine interest and a basic understanding of your sector by the prospective graduate, either noted in their CV or cover letter.
Are you ready to separate the green lights from the red flags? Contact RAG to access our talent pool of pre-screened experienced and fresh graduates who match your specific requirements. Our team will screen CVs and identify the most promising candidates efficiently, saving you valuable time.