Be well researched
Working on researching the company and the job profile is a crucial interview tip for freshers and experienced candidates alike.
Let’s go through an example, Akash is a fresher who went ahead for a job interview with X organization without researching about the company and bagged the job. 2 months into the job, he is already burnt out and looking for a switch as there’s constant micromanaging of tasks and whole other tasks are being assigned to Akash which is not remotely related to his job role.
On asking his other teammates, Akash finds that this was the reason why the previous 3 employees quit the organization. If only had he put in the effort to research the organization well, Akash could have saved himself so much stress and made the right call prior to the job application.
This example proves that researching the company is more important than a candidate can imagine. You need to ensure that your ethics match with that of the company as you will be spending approximately 9 hours every day for 5 days a week there.
So, it is extremely important for you to list research as the top priority of interview preparation. Every company has a review section on its profiles.
Also, you can look up former/current employees of the company and ask them questions about their experience there, work culture, etc. Check
AmbitionBox’s website for the same!
Another one of the important interview tips for freshers is to read the job description thoroughly as it will help you to identify key skills the recruiter is looking for and align them with that you possess.
In case you lack a skill or two, you can provide a concrete plan of action to work on the missing skills. Also, this practice helps to draft a resume that will surely grab the recruiter’s attention.
Dress to impress
Another important factor for interview preparation for freshers is to put thoughts into the attire for the big day. The saying, the First impression is the last impression holds true for an interview for any job.
So, if you want to leave a lasting impression, apart from preparing for the common HR interview questions for freshers, focus on making yourself presentable.
Ensure you have a clean and well-pressed formal shirt and trousers/skirt, polished shoes, and clean socks, and well-groomed hair, and nails.
Avoid any bold prints, instead, opt for solid colors (suitable for the season) along with a comfortable fabric.
For example, if you have an interview for a job scheduled in the summer months, you can opt for a light-colored shirt in a cotton fabric as it’s breathable.
The reason why this is considered an important tip for freshers is to understand that as an employee of the company, how you carry yourself is a representation of the organization itself.
Similarly, the major motive of a job interview is to represent yourself and if you arrive at the venue looking unkempt then the recruiter will automatically develop doubts about your candidature.
Relevant read: Interview Dress Code For Males & Females.
Prepare an extra set of documents
There is no such thing as being too prepared when it comes to interview preparation for freshers. You might be asked for a hard copy of your resume by your interviewer and HR respectively on the day of the interview, so always keep 2-3 copies of your resume in hand.
Another reason why you should carry extra sets of documents is in case you notice any error in the resume you sent during the job application or there has been a significant update that can help in your candidature like a new certification course.
Owning up to an error or notifying the recruiter about a revision in your resume not only speaks volumes about your integrity but also your seriousness towards the job role, thus making it one of the important interview tips for freshers.
Be prepared to answer as well as ask questions
Now, the most important part is interview preparation for freshers. Usually, there are 3 rounds of interviews for a job, written, technical, and HR interviews to test the candidate’s efficiency.
The first two rounds check the technical knowledge that will help you get the work done, while the last round tests the soft skills that help you navigate through each task. So, check the common HR interview questions for freshers and frequently asked HR interview questions and answers to help in the interview preparation for freshers.
Apart from this, you also need to know how to introduce yourself in an interview as it sets the tone for the rest of the interview.
Once the interviewer is done asking his questions, you will be asked “Do you have any questions for me?” This is the opportunity where a candidate can ask relevant questions to clarify any doubts that may have developed from your research about the job role or the company.
What you ask the recruiter also adds to your seriousness about the job and the company, hence research is one of the most important interview tips for freshers as it affects the rest of the interview for the job.
Maintain positive body language
Next in the pipeline of interview tips for freshers is to understand the importance of body language.
Apart from WHAT you say, HOW you conduct yourself also matters. This is called Nonverbal communication. How you position yourself when seated for an interview for a job can speak loads about your personality.
For example, if you sit with your arms crossed in front of you, you might come off as arrogant, or if you are slouching, it can project that you’re uninterested.
So, when you’re at the job interview, sit up straight and tall, put your bag on the floor at the foot of the chair, a pen and notepad on the table (in case you want to take some notes), and your hands on your lap, and don’t forget to wear your smile!
This is a neutral yet positive body language that every candidate must remember while preparing for an interview for job.
Communicate politely and clearly
Now another one of the important interview tips to remember when preparing for an interview for job is to speak loud and clear. Sure you’ll be nervous and many times it can cause even the most experienced candidates to fumble or speak too fast.
The best way to avoid this is by practicing responding to interview questions, this being one of the first primary steps during interview preparation for freshers.
Apart from this, you can take a moment to gather your thoughts and then answer the interview question. This will give you time to bring down your nervousness and answer slowly instead of sounding like a robot.
Ensure to follow up after the interview
The final interview tip for freshers is to send follow-up emails after the job interview, namely a Thank You email and a Follow-up email.
In a Thank You email, you show gratitude to the recruiter(s) for providing you with the opportunity to appear in the job interview. Send this email within 24 hours of the interview for job so that the recruiter remembers you, especially over the rest of the candidates.
Relevant read: How to Write a Professional Thank You Email.
On the other hand, a follow-up email is one that you can send in case you have not heard back from the recruiter. Do not be disheartened, instead, ask for feedback from them as it can help you to better your performances in the upcoming interviews.