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Heather Baker is founder and CEO of TopLine Comms, an integrated communications and video agency based in London. An award-winning business blogger and proud dog owner, she is active within the UK chapter of the Entrepreneur’s Organisation and has previously served as its President and Communications Chair.

Heather holds an MBA from London Business School and an MA from the University of Cape Town. 

The MBA (Masters of Business Administration) has long been considered a must-have for anyone looking to run a business. I can’t speak to whether or not the qualification is essential, but – having started my company two years before beginning the degree – I can say with some confidence that it helps. 

Looking for graduate jobs can be hard, and finding the right one is important for you and your employer. At Inspiring Interns we’re constantly asking graduates and businesses questions so we can match them perfectly – and it’s essential you ask questions too when being interviewed. Asking your potential employer the right questions tells you much more about the company than googling, plus it highlights your thinking style and is bound to impress.

These are the seven best questions to ask in a job interview to get the job:

What is the most important goal that needs to be accomplished in the first 60 days in this role?

You’ve got interviews for graduate jobs, fantastic! Now you need to make sure you make the most of it. These top 10 interview tips will help you excel.

1. Prepare, prepare, prepare

Doing research is key to succeeding in your interview. Before you can sell to the interviewer how your personality and skills fit with the company and the role you need to understand a number of things: what the company does; what the position you are interviewing for entails; and who your interviewer is.

If you’re reading this you’re probably at the stage where you’re on the lookout for graduate jobs and are firing out CVs left, right and centre. Here are a few things to consider from the eyes of a recruiter.

1. You didn’t sell yourself

A CV shouldn’t just be a piece of paper with a few stats and contact details, you need to sell yourself. Boast about where you believe you really stand out. It doesn’t have to be charity work or public speaking; think about instances from your course. Did you consistently get work in early? Were you top of your class? Include it.

2. You overused the business mumbo-jumbo

Knowing what you’re talking about is always an advantage if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for, but knowing when to hold back is another skill entirely. Don’t encumber your CV with phrases like: ‘command and leverage the businesses personnel to meaningfully navigate a pressing company project’. What does that even mean?

3. You were too generic

Graduate job applications can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be - just logical with a bit of personality. This is our go-to guide to writing your graduate jobs application.

Job specification

When applying for graduate jobs you will come across job specs. These will outline the details of the role, ideal candidate requirements and the company. You want to present yourself as a match to the skills, requirements and values an employer/recruiter is looking for. How? Tailor your application. Submitting the same CV for five roles in different industries may make you feel productive, but it’s often the opposite. It’s easy to spot a generic application, and nothing makes a recruiter discard your application quicker than something generic.

Top tip: tailor every application, focusing on your skills and why you are suited to the role. Be succinct.

Soft skills