Each year, thousands of college graduates enter the work force, making competition fierce and dream jobs hard to come by. A well-written resume is the first step, but you need to put just as much preparation into your interviewing skills. With these interview tips for recent graduates, you’ll be set to market yourself in the toughest of post-graduation interviews.
By Holly Tomlinson
Appearance:
Let’s start with the basics—your looks. Everything about you should say polished. From your shoes to your hair, everything should read clean, professional, and confident. Appearance is important, especially when it comes to first impressions in the business world. Even the items you hold on your way into an interview may get noticed. Grab a cell phone case from a place like Touch of Modern and throw away that scuffed old wallet and use a sleek version from Perry Ellis. While these small items might not seem like deal-breakers, all parts of your outfit are judged as a whole, so do your due diligence with the details.
The Length Factor:
It’s hard to determine how long you should take to answer a question, but a generally accepted guideline is 30 seconds to two minutes. Below that and you may not answer a question completely, take too long and you might bore your interviewer or test their attention span. Within this timeframe, don’t be afraid to take small pauses to collect your thoughts.
Articulating Confidence:
Leave self-deprecation at the door. While you may think it comes across as humorous or humble, your interviewer might interpret it as a glaring lack of confidence. You need to be able to articulate your strengths and know-how to sell yourself. Sit down and write all the things you’re truly good at, then come up with example stories that will illustrate these traits and skills best to an employer. Going in with this level of preparedness will set your mind at ease and position you to make a great impression.
Do Your Homework:
So you’ve looked at the job posting, but have you dug into the company’s website? Do your research! Not only will this give you a better overall idea of what the company does, but it will also serve you well when it comes time to interview. Absorb what they’re asking and come up with a meaningful response. Also, be sure you never cut your interviewer off; listen to the entire question and give yourself a few moments of thoughtful introspection before you begin speaking.
Take Notes:
If you’re really interested in a position, show it by actively listening. One of the easiest ways to do this is to take a pen and paper to your interview with you and—you guessed it—take notes. Taking notes will help you remember pertinent information that you can later bring up if you’re invited back for a subsequent interview. It will also show that you’re taking the position seriously and will come in handy when it’s time to write a thank you note. Avoid taking notes on your phone; it will most likely look like you’re texting or browsing the web, and you won’t be receiving a subsequent interview nine times out of ten.
Avoid Badmouthing:
Your interviewer might bate you to tell them about a work environment you didn’t enjoy, or a manager you didn’t get along with. They’re more often than not testing to see whether or not you will badmouth your former employers. Always talk about how you personally handled difficult situations in school or former positions and avoid casting blame on outside agents.
Interview the Interviewer:
You’ve likely been told to go to interviews prepared with questions to ask the interviewer, and this can’t be encouraged enough. Show genuine curiosity about the position, and furthermore, express interest in the company itself. Ask about company culture, ask about expectations in the position, and ask where you could expect to grow. Companies want to employ go-getters, and this is an easy way to deem yourself as such.
By incorporating these key points into your approach, you can nail the interview and be well on your way to securing the job of your dreams after college.
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By Holly Tomlinson.
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