Did you know that 33% of hiring managers say they know whether they would hire a candidate within the first 30 seconds of the interview? As such, making a good first impression is key. If you’re preparing for your first graduate job interview, our guide is here to help. We explore the biggest graduate job interview DOs and DON’Ts, including what to wear and how to prepare.
How to Prepare for a Graduate Job Interview
Before you even begin applying for graduate jobs, make sure you are prepared for what comes next. Taking your time and preparing for your first job interview thoroughly will significantly increase your chances of getting a second interview.
Here are a few tips to help you get ready for your very first job interview as a graduate.
Update Your CV
As a graduate, your CV is a living, breathing thing that needs to be updated regularly. As a recent graduate, you may not have much work experience to showcase on your CV. In this case, our advice is to focus on skills. Pinpoint your soft and technical skills and add them to the top of your CV so they stand out to employers. Remember, recruiters spend just 7.4 seconds looking at a CV. Therefore, put the most important information at the top where it can be seen immediately.
One of the best pieces of graduate advice is to create a master copy of your CV and then make a tailored version for each company you apply to. That way, you can tweak the keywords, career objectives, and cover letter to align with the organisation in question.
Need more help writing a graduate CV? We recommend reading our CV writing tips to make sure your CV is optimised for your first graduate interview.
Build an Online Presence
Research shows that over 70% of recruiters use social media to screen candidates during the selection process. As such, make sure your social media platforms are either private or ready for the eyes of a potential employer.
We recommend making your personal social media accounts private and removing any pictures or posts that you wouldn’t want an employer to see. Next, create a professional online presence by using professional networking sites such as LinkedIn. Be sure to complete your profile fully, including a professional photo and a catchy headline. However, having a profile isn’t enough to win over employers. It’s time to get active.
Building an online professional brand will greatly increase your employability. After completing your profile, start engaging with professionals in the industry. You can do this by liking posts, sharing industry-relevant content, and participating in professional conversations online. Additionally, you can use professional networking sites to showcase your work such as articles you have written or projects you have worked on. If you have a graduate portfolio, make sure it is up-to-date and linked in your LinkedIn bio.
Research the Company
You may have thought your days of doing homework were over once you graduated. Unfortunately not. Potential employers are on the hunt for graduate candidates who have done their research and know the company they are applying to. This includes the company’s history, culture, mission, values, achievements, and challenges. The more you know about the organisation, the more likely you are to be considered a good fit. Thus, studying the company website and social media platforms ahead of your interview will give you a huge competitive advantage.
Analyse the Job Role
Getting the inside scoop on the company is only half the battle. You will also need to know as much as you can about the role. Start off by reading the job description carefully, highlighting the key skills and experience the company is looking for. Next, identify the transferable soft skills you already have and consider how you can tailor those to the job role. Don’t forget to include the real-life skills you learned at school too.
Start Networking
The best way to prepare yourself for your first graduate job interview is to get talking to professionals already in the role. This is where networking comes in. Reach out to professionals (either online or in-person) and see if you can pick their brains in exchange for a coffee. In doing so, not only will you build your network, but you will gain valuable insight into the job role. And when it comes to the interview, make sure you demonstrate the research and steps you have taken.
What’s more, try to follow the company online and engage with its content in advance of your interview. This is another great talking point to show how prepared you are. Employers value graduate candidates who show proactiveness, therefore this extra step is bound to set you apart.
Be Picky
Don’t fall into the common trap when applying for your first job after graduating. Rather than sending your CV out to every company under the sun, be selective. Recruiters can tell immediately when a candidate submits a generic CV and cover letter. Thus, you are much more likely to be successful if you choose a few companies to focus your attention on. In short, the more you tailor your CV and cover letter to the company, the better your chances of getting selected will be.
Scan Student and Graduate Job Boards
A fantastic tip for landing your first graduate job is knowing where to look. In general, fresh graduates may not have much luck with the most popular job sites. Instead, they should focus their attention on job boards specifically dedicated to hiring students and graduates. That way, they know that the jobs listed are by employers actively seeking students and graduates.
What to Wear to a Graduate Job Interview
So you have landed your first graduate job interview. Congratulations! Now you have the challenging task of deciding what to wear. Interview dress codes vary depending on the company and industry, but it’s generally better to overdress if you’re unsure. In fact, 62% of employers claim that how a candidate dresses will affect the hiring decision.
Job Interview Dress Code: DOs and DON’Ts
If you know anyone who already works in the company, it’s a good idea to reach out for some advice. Alternatively, you could ask the HR team if there is a specific dress code. As a general rule of thumb, we suggest following the tips below.
- Avoid jeans and trainers even if the dress code is smart-casual.
- Wear an outfit you are comfortable in. Clothes that are too tight, short, or in unbreathable fabrics are just going to distract you from the interview and stress you out.
- Stick to muted colours. During the interview, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid bright colours or patterns. As a young graduate, this can make you seem unprofessional. Of course, once you’re hired you will have more freedom to express yourself.
- Pay attention to the details. The devil is in the details as they say. So, make sure your nails are clean, your hair is tidy, your clothing is ironed, and your personal hygiene is taken care of. Employers want to know that an employee takes good care of their physical appearance and hygiene.
- It’s hard to go wrong with a pair of smart trousers, a well-ironed shirt or blouse, and a smart pair of shoes.
- Pare down jewellery. Unless you are applying for a job with a very relaxed dress code, it’s best to keep accessories to a minimum for your first interview. They can be distracting for the interviewer and a temptation to fidget for the interviewee.
It All Depends on the Company
In a nutshell, how you dress for a graduate interview will really depend on the company and the role you’re applying for. Many companies, in particular tech and creative companies, have no dress code at all. As such, you can wear basically anything to the interview as long as it isn’t offensive or too revealing. On the other hand, most companies still require employees to adhere to a business-casual dress code. In this case, you should stick to our advice and wear professional attire such as a suit or dressy trousers with a blouse.
Graduate Job Interview Tips
Nailing your first job interview will not only expand your career prospects but will also build your confidence. We’ve come up with a few tips to help you knock the interview out of the park.
Research Common Interview Questions
Job interviews are nerve-wracking, especially your first one after graduating. As a result, it’s a great idea to research the types of questions you expect to be asked. That way, you can come up with some talking points in advance. A word of caution though, you don’t want to come across as too rehearsed in the interview. Therefore, try to come up with bullet points and examples you want to touch on, as opposed to full answers.
Common interview questions include:
- Behaviour-based questions eg. Tell us about a time when you had to overcome a problem on your own
- Questions about the employer eg. Why do you want to work for us?
- Goal-oriented questions eg. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- CV-related questions eg. Tell us about your work experience placement
- Skills-based questions eg. Give us an example of a time when you collaborated with a team and succeeded
- Job-related questions eg. Do you have experience using common CRMs?
If you don’t have time to come up with outline answers for all these questions, we recommend coming up with a “best of” list. This is basically a list of all your skills, relevant work experience, and proudest achievements that you want to work into the interview. Just remember that employers value candidates who are able to demonstrate their skills with relevant examples. So, rather than saying “I’m a great team player”, give them an example that demonstrates that you’re a team player.
We recommend using the STAR method to plan your interview answers.
Practice Makes Perfect
Like anything else in life, the more job interviews you do the better you get at them. Therefore, practising with a friend or family member can help to calm your nerves and excel in the interview. We recommend practising every aspect of the interview. From greeting the interviewer to small talk to wrapping it up. That way, you can feel 100% confident that you have covered all your bases.
Don’t forget that you are being assessed from the moment you enter the building. So, make an effort to be friendly and professional with everyone you meet in the company. After all, they could potentially be your new colleagues. If the opportunity arises, chat to employees and get a good feel for the company culture.
Come Up with Your Own Questions
Your potential employer will want you to show a keen interest in the job and the company. So, it’s a smart idea to come up with a few questions to ask during your first graduate job interview. For instance, what training opportunities are available, the team workflow, common challenges for new hires in the role, and the day-to-day tasks. In addition, try to ask questions about the career path the job offers.
More importantly than simply making a good impression on the employer, asking questions gives you insight into the company. Don’t forget that interviews are a two-way street. It’s important to make sure that the organisation is the best fit for you too. Asking questions allows you to get a good sense of what it would be like to work there.
Do a Dry Run
You can be the most prepared candidate in the world, but if you turn up late to the interview you’re probably not getting hired. That’s why doing a dry run can help to make the interview day as seamless as possible.
A couple of days before the interview, try on your interview outfit. Make sure that it is clean, ironed, and comfortable enough to sit down in.
Then, plan how you’re going to get to the interview. If you have time, we even recommend doing a practice run to the office to reduce the risk of getting lost on the big day. Check to make sure there are no planned strikes, roadworks, or events that could cause delays on the day of the interview. You should plan to get to the interview around 10-15 minutes early.
If your interview is via Zoom, make sure your credentials are correct, make any updates, and charge up your device so you’re ready for the interview.
Next up, make yourself a cheat sheet. This should include important facts and figures about the company and a brief overview of your main work experience. You may even want to print out a few copies of your CV to bring with you to the interview just in case.
Finally, make yourself a snack to eat on the way. The last thing you want during your first graduate job interview is to feel faint or have a rumbling tummy. Be sure to pack water and a snack to keep your blood sugar up.
Following Up After a Graduate Job Interview
Contrary to popular opinion, the interview doesn’t end when you finish the last question. In fact, there are a couple of tricks you can do to make sure you stick in the interviewer’s mind. First off, we recommend sending a quick email after the interview to thank the recruiter for their time. Not only does this show you are courteous, but it keeps the doors of communication open. You may not receive a reply, but it is a nice gesture that costs you nothing.
If you don’t hear back within a few weeks, it may be a good idea to get back in touch. By doing so, you show your interest in the job. Even if you haven’t been successful this time around, they may consider you for future roles. A word of warning though, don’t overdo it. Bombarding the interviewer with emails will probably not help your case.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for your first graduate job interview can be nerve-wracking. But, the good news is that the more you prepare the smoother it will go. With some in-depth research and some practice, these tips should help you nail your first job interview. More importantly, they will help you to build your confidence.
Even if your first few graduate job interviews aren’t a success, it’s important to stay positive. Just because you didn’t get the role, doesn’t mean you haven’t had a positive experience. With each interview, you gain experience and build your resilience. These are key skills that will stand you in good stead throughout your life.
Developing a Student has a wealth of useful resources for graduate jobseekers, including CV writing tips and advice on writing an impactful cover letter. If you have specific questions, feel free to contact us or sign up for the free Developing a Student email newsletter with the form below.
Looking for your dream job? Be sure to check out our dedicated Student and Graduate Jobs Board for fantastic opportunities in your area. Read up on improving job board search results as well, to make sure you find the right job in as little time as possible.
