The Unspoken Bias Faced by New Graduates in the Job Interview Process and How to Overcome It
“Thank you for interviewing, it’s been a pleasure meeting you. We have decided to move in another direction.”
These are the words you never want to hear after a job interview. These words are particularly stinging for a new college graduate! For the new graduate, having recently completed four years of academic rigor, studying, and preparing for graduation day and beyond, these words are heartbreaking.
It is a given fact that new graduates do not have the work experience that other candidates may have. It’s a mathematical impossibility due to the fact that the other candidates have been on the planet longer! It is, however, another fact that some organizations choose not to hire recent grads. Let’s explore the reasons why some employers will not hire a new college graduate.
New graduates are typically unsure of what they want their professional career to entail. A degree in Business Management, for example, can lead to many different avenues of work. It can take time to really translate how a specific college degree will actually apply to the real world. A particular track that was enticing while in college may lose its luster when the graduate realizes that it takes more experience than they possess. Sometimes, after landing a job, the new graduate realizes that the actual duties of a position they really wanted aren’t what they dreamed they would be. It is natural for interests to develop and change as the fluid process of work experience increases, but this is seen as a detriment to some employers.
According a recent posting on CNBC.com, Richard LaBombard CEO of GradStaff found that “75% of new graduates don’t know what positions are fits for them.” This presents a problem for the hiring manager, as she/he has to consider whether their new hire will quit after a short time or if they will develop into a long-term team member. It is expensive to train new employees, so it is important to determine if the candidate will fit into the company culture before they are hired.
The savvy hiring manager will gauge the new graduate’s level of skill, talents, and abilities, digging deep to assess their true level of interest in the position. They must be on the look-out for the red flag letting them know that the new graduate may be wanting the position “only until the one I really want comes along.” Taking a “placeholder” position is a waste of time and money and is of no benefit to anyone involved. There needs to be a real “fit” for the new graduate in order for them to flourish. According to Michelle Weise, Strada’s chief innovation officer, new graduates should seek a position that truly interests them and not something that will lead them to a dead end.
There are times when hiring managers, especially new managers, do not have the courage and conviction to hire a new graduate. It is a risk to hire a new graduate. Very early in my own management career, I was in this position. My sales division had an opening in a high visibility, high producing territory. After multiple rounds of interviewing several candidates, I sent two very qualified people to the final interview with my supervisor. I wanted to hire the new graduate that I had advanced forward. I was told not to hire the new graduate due to a “lack of experience.” Again, I was a new manager and didn’t know how to push back with the boss that hired me! The new graduate went on to another company and had a phenomenal career. In corporate America, the people you hire are noticed and judged by your boss so it is a tightrope walk as to how to push back. As I grew in my own skills and confidence, I did indeed hire new graduates who became very successful members of the team, continuing on to have very successful professional careers.
The reality in today’s world is that some employers feel as though new graduates lack the soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, leadership, work ethic, etc needed to jump right into a position. This perception, be it right or wrong, may limit the new graduate - but all is not lost! As the late Coach John Wooden famously said, “Don’t worry about what you can’t control.” You do, however, control your ability to prepare for any job interview in order to present your best, persuasive argument.
As a new graduate, it’s your mission to convince the hiring manager that you are worth the risk. You need to clearly articulate that you understand that you are perceived as a “higher risk” due to “less experience.” You can also highlight these ideas in your branding statement or in answers to the hiring manager’s questions. Let him/her know that you have the talent, energy, and enthusiasm to do the job and that you are that lump of coal that just needs the chance to become the shining diamond!
As a new college graduate, you have the entire world in which to compete. It’s up to you to break the misconceptions related to hiring new grads. Be clear about your goals and vision for yourself during the job interview. Identify your unique talents, your capability and compatibility to the company you desire to work for. Convince the hiring manager that you are definitely worth the gamble!
I offer a free ½ hour introductory job interview coaching session. Contact me today to prepare for your tomorrow!