Developing Your New Graduate Recruit

The Appraisal Process

The graduate's performance on a project or other activity should be monitored, and feedback given to them at appropriate times, usually at the end of the piece of work. This feedback should be realistic and honest, and should address how well they have performed, perhaps presenting goals that would bring about improved performance. It is also a way of managing or developing the expectations that graduate recruits have of their role within the organisation.

Appraisal must be undertaken by staff who have been thoroughly trained to undertake the process, and who have been involved on a day-to-day basis with the graduate recruit. There should be three clearly understood outcomes of the appraisal session:

• an assessment of the graduate's performance for the period being reviewed
• an agreed set of performance criteria for the next activity or project
• a set of implications for the graduate's long-term development.

This latter aspect might include recommendations for the next activity to be undertaken, specific skills to be learned or abilities to be developed.

• Induction
• Induction Courses
• Personal Development
• Professional Development
• The Appraisal Process