Graduate Pre-Selection: Some Findings and their Guidance Implications

The application forms of graduate applicants to six organisations were analysed in two investigations. In the first, those features of the forms which predicted whether they were rejected or passed on for interview were discovered. These differed across organisational type, and included aspects of the way in which the form was completed and personal background factors, as well as experience and achievement. In the second investigation, the think-aloud protocols of recruiters as they read the application forms were analysed. Inferences from information rather than the information itself predicted decisions. It is concluded that careers advisers should offer instruction on a variety of matters relating to completion of application forms; and that graduate recruiters should continue to undertake the task of pre selection rather than seeking to 'farm it out'.