Top interview tips for fresh Graduates
Introduction
If you’re a fresh graduate, chances are you’ve never had to interview for a job before. That can be scary – especially when you don’t know what to expect. But it doesn’t have to be! Here are some tips on how to prepare for an interview and make sure that your performance comes across as professional:
Do your research
The most important thing to do is research the company and role. Knowing who you are interviewing with, what they're known for, what their values are and how they run their business will help you prepare better. You should also research your interviewer’s background as well as industry trends that could impact your future at the company (e.g., increased competition).
Prepare to answer questions that you might not have thought of before!
Do an interview practice with a friend or family member.
If you want to get better at interviews, the key is practice. By doing mock interviews with real people who have been through the process before:
Practice in front of a mirror. This can help make sure that everything looks natural when it comes time for your actual interview!
Have a practising partner that is knowledgeable in the subject! Ask them advice on appropriate behaviour or what to say. It will both assist you get ready for any situation that may arise during the real interview and provide feedback on how well the process has gone so far.
Remain confident in your body language.
Maintain an open body language. Refrain from crossing your arms and pushing back too far in your chair. Keep your shoulders back if you're slouching!
Manage your nerves.
Take a few deep breaths and think about what you are going to say, not what you might have said on the spot. Think about how you will feel after the interview, and try to visualize yourself getting that job. Being positive about things is key when interviewing for jobs—so make sure that your outlook is positive!
Think of some questions to ask the interviewer – it shows you’re interested in the role and the company.
It's important to ask questions that relate to the role and company, but also ones that show your interest in the role.
Ask questions related to your skills and experience, as well as how they will be used in an effective manner at work. For example:
What are some of my strengths?
How do I use them effectively?
Where do I see myself going professionally within the next few years?
Ask about their plans for growth within the industry or market niche (where applicable). For example: Are there any opportunities for promotion/growth within this organization over time?, What types of projects does this team work on?, How often does each member get assigned new tasks or projects?
Be confident, but not cocky.
When you're interviewing, it's important to be confident but not cocky. If you're too modest, people will think that they don't need to take you seriously because there's nothing to gain from hiring someone who doesn't think they can do their job well. But if asked by a hiring manager what your strengths are and how those strengths relate to the job requirements, let them know!
It may help for you to have a list of skills ready at hand so that when asked about them during an interview, it feels natural and easy for both parties involved—you on one side and the interviewer on another—to discuss what makes up such a great candidate.
Remember you are being interviewed because the employer believes you might be right for the job!
It’s important that you show your confidence, but also remember that an interviewer can tell if someone is too self-assured. You want to be polite and professional at all times, but don’t forget when it comes time for questions: answer honestly and offer examples from your experience where appropriate (and in a way that shows how much knowledge you have).
Conclusion
Keep in mind that every employer has a different interviewing process, so it's important to be ready for anything. You don't have to know the answers to every typical question off by heart, but you should be aware of what they are.
