Freshers Interview Tips

Interview Tips for your First Job Interview

So you are fresh out of graduate school, brimming with confidence and energy and a bring-it-on attitude. Yet you walked in through the door to the front of the interview panel, got a cold feet and came back dissatisfied and frustrated. You feel that the bald-headed 60-something executive out there in the panel had some grudge against you.

Don't worry, here are some tips to your rescue.

As a fresher, there is one thing that you need to remember from the moment you decide to appear for a particular interview: YOU DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO LOSE, BUT ONLY TO GAIN!

Questions that you may be asked in interview:

1. Tell us about yourself.
2. Why should we employ you?
3. Do you have offers from other companies?
4. What salary are you expecting?

Questions that you may ask the interviewer:

1. Tell me about your company.
2. What kind of training and learning can I expect in your company?
3. What are the growth prospects available to me?
4. What are the long term goals of the company?

Keep with you:

1. Multiple copies of your Entry Level resume
2. References and Letters of Recommendation.

Some useful tips that can help a long way in cracking an interview:

1. Try doing extensive research on the company. This way you will be better armed to ask pertinent questions to your interviewers about your doubts and clarifications regarding the company.
2. As a fresher you will be judged on the basis of your academic background, interests and to some extent your family background. Hence, try to highlight that your previous experiences, even if part-time, are noticed.
3. Mention the projects you had undertaken, this will show your aptitude.
4. Show your interest in the company, your willingness to put in regular hours and to work diligently and efficiently. Also highlight your interpersonal skills and leadership qualities.
5. Remember first impressions always matter. Wear comfortable formal wears, carry yourself at ease. Have a well-groomed personal appearance.
6. Arrive on time or better, a little early.

7. Remain calm and focused.
8. When in front of the interviewer, have a firm handshake. Smile. Appear relaxed and confident. Make eye contact.
9. Bring multiple copies of your resume. Keep a pen and paper with you in case of any need.
10. Be careful of the language and the words that you use. Pay attention to grammar and pronunciation. Speak clearly, coherently and confidently.
11. Have all certificates and photocopies of them ready in an efficient and organized manner.
12. Avoid chewing gums during an interview process. Also politely refuse the interviewer in case you are offered a cigarette.
13. Most importantly, try to put yourself in the shoes of the employer and imagine what you would have been looking for in a potential employee if you were at the other end of the table. Give the employer just that.

--
Haider Ajaz