Employers - what they look for at interview

By Kay Kevlihan

As they approach the final months of their studies towards an agricultural science degree, students recently took a day off to meet potential employers at their annual careers day in UCD. Looking every inch the professionals of the future they ‘talked the talk' with company representatives.

Kay Kevlihan availed of the opportunity to get an insight into what impresses at more formal interviews and the type of skills employers are looking for in graduates. This is the advice they give to job seeking graduates.

Declan Fennell, development marketing executive for Bord Glas believes that the first 90 seconds of an interview are crucial.

"We all make judgement calls in the first 90 seconds when we meet somebody so at interview you have to make an instant impression. Initiative is the key driver: you have to make yourself different to the person before you and the person after you. You have to know the dynamics of the industry and the importance of preparation cannot be overemphasised. "Know what you have in terms of skills and qualifications for that particular job. Have an opinion or insight into where the industry is going, what the opportunities and challenges are within the sector.

"Confidence is a key issue at interview and the value of good communication skills, work experience and involvement at club level is essential in the development of confidence.

On skills:

"Ag Science graduates have been trained with a very good technical degree and they have a good blend of business skills. It is vital to have a good balance of technical and business knowledge.

"Key factors for graduates seeking work are communication skills as a lot of what we do involves people skills and selling a product or message to growers, producers, merchants and consumers. There are a wide diversity of opportunities in horticulture, both in fresh produce and in the amenity area with landscaping, garden centres, growing nursery stock, bedding plants, etc.,'' said Declan.

Peter Byrne - chief executive FRS Network

Lack of preparation

"Most ag science graduates have similar academic qualifications even though they have diversified in any one of the options. What will separate them at interview is their own personalities, their level of ambition and their drive.

"Lack of preparation and lack of research into the company is the main weakness I see at interview. There is a perception that the degree will automatically get you a job but the degree is almost incidental to many areas of employment.

On skills

"All graduates should have computer skills, good verbal communications skills and be aware of the importance of customer service. I always look at the level of involvement on careers committees and ag science societies - they usually have the best communication skills and get into leadership roles. Students also get great experience through Macra, sporting or social clubs and it shows.

"Graduates should not undersell themselves on their CV's. If they have been captain of their football team put it on the CV - it shows that peers and colleagues see leadership qualities in you.

"FRS Network employs about 12 graduates in diverse areas from co-ordinating our farm services to working in recruitment. More recently we have employed a number of graduates to co-ordinate, sell or deliver training, mainly in the area of health and safety.

Tuula Pyysala - Human Resources, Kepak

"We take on graduates from different academic backgrounds every year on our graduate programme for positions in production, quality, sales, engineering. Graduates don't need to have 1:1 degrees but must be willing to learn and show initiative and they must be willing to work hard. Our graduate programme involves training with a mentor for two years, after which most graduates are employed by the company. We have positions available but we need to find the right person for each area. Most graduates don't know what they want to do when they come straight out of college but after six months in the different areas of Kepak they get a feel for the area they are suited to''.

Martin Byrne - Inform Nutrition, Cork

"Interviews a limited snapshot"

"An interview is a very limited snapshot on the day. Someone could be bad on the day of the interview through no fault of their own, so we carry out background checks on potential employees. I would personally call to the referees provided on their CV as I find I get a far more in-depth comment across the table than over the phone. I would have extensive chats with the teachers and professors at UCD and that is one way to distinguish between people.

"The main features we look for in ag graduates is character and attitude. They must be approachable, pleasant to people and be prepared to listen, not just talk to them, and to analyse their problems leading to a solution that may or may not include our products. There are always jobs for good people - that is the reality of commercial life''.

Jim Brennan - Keelings Soft Fruit

Cop-on counts

"I don't think it really matters how you start out if you want to get into management. I started in Heitons retail drapers, went into horticulture and am now in soft fruit. Attention to detail, reacting to information and managing people is what management is about. "The jobs we offer to graduates are a route into management involving supervisery and crop work. We are looking for people with ‘cop-on', people who will use their heads and ask questions. Lack of experience is not an issue as we can teach them if they are willing to learn, ask questions and take chances. If there is a crisis they must be able to react instead of doing nothing''.

Jenny McClare - Devennish Nutrition

Energy and motivation needed

"We are always looking for graduates to take up our sales and technical positions in the company. We look for innovative, highly motivated, energetic people, dedicated to hard work that will give quality results for our company. Post graduate business studies are an advantage and we value practical experience greatly''.