You did it! You graduated college, applied to a couple jobs and got your first call back for a job you would love to accept. You have made it to the interview process! This is the moment you’ve been waiting for, but how do you prepare for this interview to knock it out of the park? Here are some tips on how to complete an interview successfully.
Sleep
As scary as interviews are, there is no need to stay up all night for one. Get a good night’s sleep to perform to the best of your abilities on the day of your big interview. Rest is necessary to bring your best self to the interview and be prepared for any questions that are thrown your way.
Dress to Impress
Make sure to look your best in an interview. You want to look professional and confident.
Resume
Make sure to bring your resume and any materials you believe will help you succeed. Some materials you may consider bringing with you are portfolios, cover letters, recommendations, etc. But always bring a physical resume unless asked otherwise, and feel free to bring copies. There may be more than one person interviewing you at a time.
Research
If there is one thing recent college grads know how to do, it’s research. Make sure to research the company and the job description to touch on every detail they want in a candidate. The company website will have a mission statement and values they uphold as a company. Those are your keywords to use in the interview.
Intro
Practice your introduction. Almost every interview starts with you meeting the person/ persons who will interview you and at some point they will ask you for a little bit of information about yourself. This is a big moment because you are free to say whatever you think is relevant. But it should definitely be practiced. They want to know what your skillsets are and what you can bring to the team. Keep it concise and professional, but don’t be afraid to sprinkle in some light humor. Try not to get too off topic but also make it human and organic. They are more than likely looking to hire a personable individual, not a robot.
Dreaded Work Experience
This is an area that most recent college grads shudder at the thought of dealing with in an interview. But don’t. If you have ever had an internship, part-time job, capstone courses in college, etc. you have some sort of work experience and you should touch on what interpersonal skills you have gained through those roles to truly shine. Enthusiasm and willingness to learn goes a long way as well.
Ask Questions
Yes you will be asked questions, but you should always be prepared with questions for them. The employer needs to know any questions you have for them and feel free to use my personal favorite at the end of an interview. “What can I do to better prepare for this role?” This asserts yourself as a potential candidate and allows you to learn what you can do to be successful when your first day of work comes.
Be Prepared to be Unprepared
You are not going to know everything and there will be questions that you may not be ready to know every answer to. It’s okay. Especially if you are a new graduate. You are entering a new world and the company will be aware of that. It’s very normal to be nervous in an interview, but don’t let it control you. Take a deep breath and think before spouting out answers.
These tips should help you go into an interview prepared and confident to get the job, even as a new grad. Do not be afraid to let your personality and willingness to learn show through. Many companies would love to hire a new grad with a drive and passion for their business, so go after that job!
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