5 Best Job Interview Tips For Entry Level Job Seekers

It is always intimidating looking for your first job as a fresh graduate. As a fresh graduate, your interest at this time is not landing your dream job but just getting into the corporate world.

So you apply for all those jobs and finally, a call comes in that a particular company wants to meet you for an interview.
Sure the job is not even in your line of studies but it’s a good start considering all those other graduates out there still looking for jobs.

Therefore, you start preparing for this big interview, but the worry of failing is too much.

We have all been there and it is very intimidating to attend an interview as a fresh graduate especially when you consider that you will be competing with people who are more qualified than you are.

How then do you ace that job interview as a fresh graduate?

With these job interview tips for fresh graduate, you will be able to handle that interview as smoothly as any other job seeker.

Job Interview Tips You Should Know As An Entry Level Job Seeker

They say the first impression is the last impression, a common analogy that holds some truth.

As an entry level job seeker, you don’t have much to go on in terms of experience and that can be quite intimidating when you are attending an interview.

However, you can still turn things around to your advantage with these easy job interview tips.

1. Be prepared

There is no excuse for being unprepared for a job interview, whether you are a fresh graduate or not. The consequences will always be the same. There is no leeway now that you are an entry-level job seeker.

How do you prepare for an interview?

You do this by researching the company, going through the job description noting down key skills that the employer is looking for and preparing for common interview question HR managers often ask.

Ensure that you have all the documents you need carefully stacked up in a neat folder.

Also, ensure to make extra copies of your CV just in case you encounter a panel interview.

I will tell you for free that not being prepared will not make a very good first impression and the interviewer will just know this the moment you walk into that room.

Preparation is key whether it’s your first interview or not.

Related: 5 Tips On How To Prepare For An Interview 

2. Dress to impress

Most entry level job seekers, for some reason, think that they could be forgiven for not dressing the part during an interview.

This will never happen. I know you are just fresh from college and haven’t had time to shop for official outfits since you just stay at home filling job applications.

However, a serious job seeker would buy at least one decent outfit they can wear when called for an interview.

Ensure that your clothes are neat and well ironed. Get a haircut for the gentlemen and ladies make your hair neat and presentable.

3. Research the company

I was talking to Ms. Melody Mwenda one of the recruitment and interview coaching experts and she was telling me how one enthusiastic entry level job seeker when asked if they had any questions at the end of the interview asked, “ What does this company deal with?”

Related: 3 Top Reasons Why You Need Interview Coaching

This is a total turn off. A good job seeker who is serious about launching a career will have researched the company prior to the interview.

One of the ways an interviewer gauges your fit for the position is through how much you know about the company.

Your ignorance might just end up being the end of you.

Research the company! What do they do, their history, who is their competitor?

I mean, you can get all this information by visiting their website and using people on the inside if you know any.

4. Work on body language

It goes without saying that body language is very important in any interview.

Work on your body language – you don’t want to just sit there answering yes or no to every question like a log.

Lean forward when answering a question to show interest and incorporate gesture when talking. When you enter the room, give a firm handshake to show confidence.

Smile and nod in between questions and maintain eye contact with the interviewer.

These unspoken yet important things will go a long way in determining whether you get that job or not.

Related: 6 Simple Body Language Tips For Your Job Interview

5. Prepare for common interview questions

This is the most important factor to keep in mind when preparing for a job interview.

As an entry level job seeker, there are common interview questions you will most likely come across in the interview.

Get acquainted with them and then prepare logical answers that won’t appear as if they have been crammed.

The best thing to do is to understand what the hiring manager wants to hear when for instance they ask ‘Tell me about yourself’ interview question.

To prepare you, read on Most Common Interview Questions and Answers For 2017.

Landing a job is usually a daunting task filled with stress and a lot of disappointments. Most entry level job seekers freak out when they are called in for an interview. However, you can ace that interview with the job interview tips highlighted above.

Related: Top Five Interview Mistakes To Avoid At All Costs From Today 

Do you have any comments or insights about the article? Leave them below.

The writer is a Communications Officer at Career Point Kenya. Contact her at lilian@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke