Cracking the Code – What Graduate Employers Are Really Looking For

When you hit “submit” on a graduate application, what are early career recruiters really looking for?

At API’s Inside Industry #2 webinar, we heard directly from those on the other side of the interview panel: Whitney Ottley from Transgrid, Jodie Lynch from Horizon Power, and Zoe Seibold from Energy Queensland. They pulled back the curtain on what turns an application from good to great—and the common missteps that still catch candidates out.

Zoe kicked off by walking through Energy Queensland’s structured 5-step application process, highlighting that your resume and cover letter are your ticket to the interview. The most successful applicants tailor their applications to reflect the values and needs of the organisation—going beyond generic buzzwords and aligning their experience to real projects and strategic goals.

Whitney emphasised that recruiters aren’t looking for a list of your software proficiencies—they want proof. “Don’t just say ‘Excel skills,’” she explained. “Tell us what you’ve done with it—pivot tables, dashboards, reports.” She also encouraged using metrics to show impact: ‘Reduced downtime by 40%’ stands out more than vague achievements.

And when it comes to interviews? The unanimous advice: learn the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare a bank of stories in advance, link your experiences to the company’s values, and above all, show us who you are.

Bonus tip: Don’t forget the little things. Spelling mistakes, mismatched company names, and bad formatting can undo an otherwise great application. Read it aloud. Use Grammarly. Get a second pair of eyes. And yes—include a cover letter, even when optional.

Watch the whole webinar here: