How to run the first round
Settle dates first. For interns, the internship period their university requires; for graduates, when their final exams end and when they could start.
Ask about what they have done, not their grades. Part-time work, projects, societies and competitions show how someone works. Ask what they did and what happened.
Get salary as a figure. Ask for an expected monthly figure, as basic pay plus any allowance, so a mismatch shows up early.
Reply to everyone. Tell every applicant where they stand. Graduates talk to each other about employers who never replied.
First-round questions to ask
“For interns: what exact dates does your university require for the internship?”
Why ask it. Required periods are fixed, and a mismatch ends the application.
“For graduates: when do your final exams end, and when could you start?”
Why ask it. Availability follows the academic calendar.
“Tell us about a project, job or activity where you had to solve a problem. What did you do?”
Why ask it. It shows how they work, which grades do not.
“What monthly salary are you expecting, as basic pay plus any allowance?”
Why ask it. A figure shows mismatches before anyone’s time is spent.
“Why this role, and what do you want to learn in it?”
Why ask it. A specific answer separates real interest from a mass application.
Running it with Agentic Blue
Agentic Blue is an applicant tracking system. Applications arrive by themselves from Jobstreet application emails and the job’s own apply page, or as CVs you upload, in one list. AI reads every CV against the job’s must-haves and shows the CV line behind each one, the shortlist goes to the hiring manager as one link they answer, and everyone who applied stays in your talent pool for the next job.
With the AI Interviewer module switched on:
- Hundreds of applicants can take the first round through one link, on their phone, without a call slot each.
- Every applicant is asked the same questions, so answers can be compared side by side with the full transcript underneath.
- Before Blue reads a CV during the interview, details such as IC numbers, race, religion and age are removed.
Blue, the AI interviewer, asks every applicant about experience, expected salary, notice period and availability, and does not reject anyone: you decide who moves forward. How it works for employers in Malaysia is on the AI interviewer for Malaysia page, what candidates are told is on the trust page, and how Agentic Blue is priced is on the pricing page.
Where it fits less well
Assessment centres and technical tests. Graduate schemes that use group exercises or technical tests still need them. Use the first round to settle dates and expectations before inviting people.
Career fairs. Where you have already met students in person at a campus event, the first conversation has happened.
Questions people ask
What should I ask fresh graduates in a first round?
When they can start, set by exams or university dates, their expected salary as a figure, and a specific project or job where they solved a problem. Grades and societies are already on the CV.
How do I screen hundreds of internship applications?
Settle the internship dates first, because a mismatch ends the application, then ask every applicant the same few questions and compare the answers side by side.
Is an AI interview fair to fresh graduates?
It can be fairer than sifting CVs, because every applicant answers the same questions. Check that a person reviews the results and that candidates are told they are talking to an AI.