This post is all about fresh graduates’ interview tips. What fresh graduates need to do before, during and after their interview.
I read in an open group where an interviewee claimed he got an answer to every interview question. I challenged him with a question, he failed to answer with a claimed he never come across such a question before. You don’t have to write down or master prepared answers to every interview question. Don’t forget there are no right or wrong answers to every question.
Interview questions are daft to examine if you’re a great fit for the company or not.
It is so disheartening for you to scape through all the recruitment process and failed at the last interview.
Fresh Graduates Interview Tips
We’ve segment the fresh graduates’ interview tips into three segments:
- Pre Interview Tips
- During The Interview Tips
- Post Interview Tips
Pre Interview Tips
Know About the company
This is the most essential in your preparation for a job interview as a fresh graduate.
Don’t just stop with what you read online. Try as much as possible to reach out to employees of the company via LinkedIn. A little search might also solve your problem. You might be surprised that some of the employees are even your part of your connection. Ask so many questions about the company, the culture, the value and the people. Part of your research is to ask about how they got to the company.
Ensure you know about the person that will interview you. A friend of mine once shared how he got all the information he needs about his interviewer on Nairaland. This information will only make you become confident and convenient.
Dress For success
Your dressing speaks a handful about you, as a matter of fact, ‘your dressing describe who you’re‘. While dressing, you need to choose the style that suits the company. If the company culture encouraged business casual dress, don’t dress like a professional. Ensure your hairstyle is decent and you wear a watch. The watch shows that you value your time and more so, you’re time conscious.
Package Your Resume
Ensure you’ve updated copy of your resume, your latest online certification and skills must be correctly drafted in your resume. Also, have multiple copies of your resume and ensure they are well arranged in a folder.
We’re in an era where LinkedIn is taking over resume writing. Companies don’t require candidates to come with their resume rather, they make use of their LinkedIn page.
Nevertheless, go with your resume and update your LinkedIn page.
Be Time Conscious
Try as much as possible to arrive the venue at least thirty minutes to the time. If your interview venue is any part of Lagos, plan at least 1hour before the commencement of the interview.
During The Interview Tips
First Impression
Walk smartly in such a way the interviewer will want to have an audience with you. Don’t drag your legs on the floor. Make an impressive eye contact.
Someone once asked me how to make eye contact in a panel interview. Listen and focus on the person that asked you a question. Ensure you make eye contact with every member of the panel when you’re attempting to answer the questions. Present a strong handshake and smile at all times.
Present Concise Introduction
I know you’ve prepared for the general question ‘Tell me about yourself’. This question as simple as it is can make or mar you. Your success is determined by the way you answer the question.
However, you must be able to answer this question within one minute. The question normally comes in different formats such as ‘Can we meet you‘, ‘who are you’ ” what do we need to know about you’ etc.
Summarize your past achievements, awards, internship, etc. You can as well end it with your career aim or dream.
Tell Your Story
You’ll be asked for a competency-based question. This is the time to tell your story. Something similar you’ve done in the past that makes you a great fit for the role and company.
There are skills, fresh graduates must acquire. We talk about it skills fresh graduates must acquire here. Talk about when you’ve used a specific relevant skill for your role. Talk about situations you’ve enhanced and developed your skills.
Money
‘Money moves the world‘, don’t allow money to move you. The experience is more important as a fresh graduate than the money. Don’t ask about the pay, definitely, you’ll be compensated according to your skill sets, organization standard, and your qualification. That been said, when an interviewer asks about your salary expectation, the best way to answer is to tell him/her to pay according to the company standard, except in a situation where you’re mandated to say a specific amount. You can give a competitive range. This is one of the reasons you’ve to research about the company.
Post Interview Tips
Send Acknowledgement Note
As a fresh graduate, you’re expected to send a thank you mail, to acknowledged the invite. This is a form of follow up and also to show your interviewer’s that you really care about the company and the role.
Social media
Be conscious of what you post on your social media handles. This is the time for the company to do their background checks. You won’t want to be a flag for a comment you post on a forum or how you portrayed the company profile.
Keep everything that happened during the interview with yourself. You’re partially part of the company at this moment.
Conclusion
These are fresh graduates interview tips for fresh out of university and polytechnic leavers. If you’ve 2 years and below experience, you’re still fresh in the labour in the labour market.
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Adeyinka is the founder and content creator at Career Acada. He’s a technology expert and web developer. He holds a degree in Genetics and loves impacting life for a better society.
