The first job interview after graduation can be intimidating and it’s not unusual to feel nervous, stressed or anxious. Preparation is key to alleviating some of those feelings as well as increasing the chance of securing the job. Virtual interviews have been more likely during the pandemic but ‘living with Covid’ has meant that face-to-face opportunities are regaining popularity. Whether preparing for an online or face-to-face conversation, the approach should be the same.
There will be some practical things to clarify immediately such as the exact time, day and location of the interview and who it will be with. Next, it’s important to have a clear plan of how to get there including checking any train or bus timetables.
If the interview is online, it will pay to double check that the necessary equipment is available and working. Think about the scene you wish to set. How is the camera positioned? What will the interviewer see in the background? Where is the light coming from?
Once the basics have been confirmed, it’s time to get down to a bit of reflection on skills and experiences as well as desk research. The following 5 tips by Chris Rea is a Prospects graduate employment expert at Jisc, can help to ensure university students master their first job interview after graduation.
Dress to impress
It’s important to give a professional first impression. This means dressing appropriately. As a rule of thumb, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. If the interview is online, graduates should wear the same outfit they would have chosen for a face-to-face interview. Think about how clothes will look on screen and avoid busy patterns and stripes.
3Ps
Above all it’s important to be polite, professional and positive. Considering the worse case scenario – which is typically just not getting the job – can help to diminish any nerves. Smile, respond to questions with positive statements, be enthusiastic about the role and avoid badmouthing previous employers or university tutors. It’s best that candidates avoid slouching, moving too much or touching their face – particularly if the interview is online.
Go above and beyond on research
Don’t just read about the company on their website, go the extra mile. If they have a store try to visit or if they sell a product, consider buying it or go to the environment where it’s sold. Try experiencing their offering as a customer. Look for articles about them and their competitors in the news and talk to family and friends. Feeling confident about the company and subject matter will help to boost confidence when answering any questions. Use the power of LinkedIn to learn as much as you can about the company’s activities, its people and culture. Twenty years ago it would have been very difficult to prep on the background and experiences of the people who you are hoping to work with. Now you can go to an interview armed with inside knowledge. It’s a great advantage.
Translate your experiences
Employers want evidence of non-academic skills. They are interested up to a point about experiences of helping in the community during the pandemic or being part of a sports team, but what they are really interested in – and how it can help graduates stand out – is what has been done with those experiences and what has been learnt. Prepare one or two experiences ahead and match them with the skills and attributes they are looking for.
Ask intelligent questions
At the end of the interview candidates will normally be asked if they have any questions. Avoid the obvious, such as anything easily found on a company website, and save asking about holidays and salary until an offer has been secured. Instead, stand out by demonstrating intelligence with questions such as, where is the company headed in five years and how is the current situation affecting business?
