Interview prep: Graduate programmes
Graduate programmes at big companies are competitive. There are often several rounds: online tests, a video interview, an assessment centre with group exercises, and a final panel.
What to expect
- Online aptitude tests (numerical, verbal, logical)
- A recorded video interview with timed answers
- An assessment centre day with a group task and a presentation
- Competency questions using the STAR method
Questions for graduate programmes
Tap a question to see why they ask it, how to answer and an example. Change the example to your own story. Panels can tell when an answer is memorised.
Why our company and not a competitor?
Why they ask
They want to see you researched them specifically.
How to answer
Mention their values, a project, or the programme structure, and connect it to your goals.
Example answer
“I like that your programme rotates graduates through three departments in two years. I want to understand the whole business before I specialise, and your focus on community projects matches what I care about.”
Tell us about a time you led a team.
Why they ask
Graduate programmes are looking for future managers.
How to answer
Leadership can be a study group, sports team, church or society. Use STAR and show how you got people to work together.
Example answer
“I chaired our student society when attendance was dropping. I asked members what they wanted, changed meetings to shorter workshops and shared the planning. Attendance doubled in one term.”
Describe a time you failed.
Why they ask
They want self-awareness and resilience.
How to answer
Choose a real but recoverable failure. Spend most of the answer on what you learned and changed.
Example answer
“I failed a statistics module in second year because I left studying too late. I joined a study group, went to every tutorial and passed it with 68% the next semester. Now I plan my work from the first week.”
How do you work in a team where someone is not pulling their weight?
Why they ask
Tests teamwork and conflict handling, which are tested in group exercises too.
How to answer
Show you speak to the person privately first and focus on solving the problem, not blaming.
Example answer
“I would talk to them privately to understand why. Often there is a reason. Then we would agree on clear tasks and deadlines. If it still did not work, I would raise it with the lecturer or manager.”
What is a current issue in our industry?
Why they ask
Shows commercial awareness.
How to answer
Read business news for a week before. Pick one issue and give a short opinion.
Example answer
“Load-shedding has pushed many businesses to invest in solar power. For a bank, that is also an opportunity to offer green energy loans to households and small businesses.”
Questions asked in almost every interview
Tell us about yourself.
Why they ask
It is an easy start, and it shows whether you can talk about yourself clearly and stay on topic.
How to answer
Keep it to about one minute. Say what you studied or where you worked, one strength that suits this job, and why you applied. Do not tell your life story or talk about family problems.
Example answer
“I completed my NC(V) in Office Administration at Vhembe TVET College last year. During my studies I did a three-month placement at a local clinic where I filed patient records and answered phones. I am organised and calm with people, and I applied because this job lets me use those skills every day.”
Why do you want this job?
Why they ask
They want to know if you understand the job and if you will stay and work hard, or if you just need any job.
How to answer
Link something real about the job or company to your own goals. Show you read the advert. It is fine to say you need work, but give a better reason first.
Example answer
“I read that this role works directly with customers, and I enjoy helping people solve problems. I also see that you train staff and promote from inside, so I can grow here over the long term.”
What are your strengths?
Why they ask
They are checking if your strengths match what the job needs.
How to answer
Pick two strengths from the advert and prove each with a short example. "I am hard-working" means nothing without proof.
Example answer
“I am reliable and good with numbers. In my last job I opened the shop at 7 every morning for a year without being late once, and I balanced the till every day with no shortages.”
What is your weakness?
Why they ask
They want honesty and to see that you work on yourself.
How to answer
Choose a real weakness that is not central to the job, then say what you are doing to improve it. Do not say "I am a perfectionist" or "I have no weaknesses".
Example answer
“I used to be nervous speaking in front of groups. I joined a church youth committee where I have to give short updates every month, and I am much more confident now.”
Tell us about a time you solved a problem.
Why they ask
Behaviour-based questions show how you really act, not how you say you act.
How to answer
Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Spend most of the time on what YOU did and finish with the result.
Example answer
“At my in-service training (Situation) the printer broke on the day reports were due (Task). I called the supplier, then moved the files to a flash drive and printed them at the library next door (Action). All 40 reports went out on time (Result).”
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Why they ask
They want to know if you have goals and if those goals fit with them.
How to answer
Show ambition that grows inside the company or field. Avoid saying you want to leave for something unrelated.
Example answer
“I see myself having finished a further qualification in this field and taking on more responsibility, maybe as a team leader, here or in a similar role.”
Do you have any questions for us?
Why they ask
Having no questions can look like you are not interested.
How to answer
Always ask one or two. Ask about the work, training or next steps. Do not start with salary in a first interview unless they bring it up.
Example answer
“What does a normal day in this role look like? And what will the next step be after this interview?”
What to bring
- ID
- Academic transcript
- CV
- Notes about the company
Good questions to ask them
- What do successful graduates usually do after the programme?
- How is performance reviewed during the rotations?
On the day
- Arrive 15 minutes early, or log in 10 minutes early for an online interview.
- Dress neatly and simply. Clean and ironed is more important than expensive.
- Greet everyone, make eye contact and switch your phone to silent.
- It is fine to pause and think before you answer.
- Use the STAR method for "tell us about a time" questions: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
- Never pay anyone to get an interview or a job. Real employers do not ask for money.