One of the scariest and most challenging experiences for first-time job-seeking college graduates can be finding a job. While there are what can sometimes seem to be super wizards that just seem to easily secure jobs right after graduating, one might find themself feeling stuck, jobless.
Having worked in higher education and in the marketing industry for almost a decade now, I have interacted with and mentored more college students and new graduates than I can remember. After dozens of recent Gen Z and Millennial college graduates I have interviewed to fill full-time positions, do you know what 95% have struggled with? The interview. I cannot tell you how many applicants I came across that looked amazing on paper, arrived dressed to impress, but disappointed during their interview.
While it can easily be argued that each company prioritizes their needs, culture, and required skills or behavioral traits differently, research still supports that hiring managers tend to hire to match for a cultural fit. Still, the interview stage when being considered for a job is one—if not, the best—way to make a positive impression and to set one’s self apart from other candidates.
Based on my experience, below are seven practical steps that one can take to go into interviews with more confidence and a greater chance of success. While you might look at these and think that they are nothing special, trust me, you would be surprised to find out how many candidates I have interviewed that would have made a significantly better impression if they would have just made a basic effort to accomplish them.
1. Prepare for Common Interview Questions
While you might not be able to know every questions you will be asked, most initial interviews feature a mix of predictable variations of questions such as “Tell me about yourself” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Crafting and practicing responses to many of these common questions will be key to ensuring that you answer with confidence and increase the value of your candidacy for the position you are applying for. Many career prep websites even provide samples for good answers with tips and strategies for how to personalize your answers (like here or here). Being sure to utilize common interview-and-answer frameworks like the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method will also be help you impress when answering behavioral questions.
2. Research the Company Thoroughly
Understanding the company’s mission, values, products or services, and where they are positioned in their respective industry is essential. Exploration of the company website, the skimming of recent press releases, and a review of their social media activity will only help you. This knowledge will not only help you tailor your answers to align with the company’s goals and actual ongoing efforts, but it will also demonstrate a genuine interest in being part of their organization (and that you are not just looking for a paycheck). Unfortunately, I have interviewed several candidates that did not know how to answer why they wanted to work for our company because they didn’t even bother to research what kind of agency we were. Don’t be this person—it’s embarrassing and will be the quickest way to dismiss yourself from being considered.
3. Read the Job Description
Carefully analyzing the job description will allow you to match your skills and experiences to the role’s requirements. Identifying keywords, responsibilities, and qualifications can help you prepare specific examples that illustrate how you meet or exceed the expectations for the position. Looking at job descriptions is also a good practice for you to see if there are any trends or specific skills that companies are looking for in the industry you are trying to break into. Separately, a common interview question that is asked is, “What about the job excites (or interests) you?” Well, how would you know if you didn’t read the job description?
4. Practice Good Communication Skills
Effective communication goes beyond words. You should be mindful of your body language, maintaining eye contact and a confident posture. Demonstrating that you are actively listening—and even asking follow-up questions—can also be vital. Be sure to focus on understanding the interviewer’s questions, provide concise, relevant answers with examples.
5. Arrive Early and Dress for the Role
First impressions matter, and how you dress can go a long way to set the tone for a good interview. Candidates should choose clothing that aligns with the company’s culture. For example, formal attire may be suitable for corporate environments, while business casual might be more appropriate for startups or creative industries. Your review of the company’s website and social media might reveal if the office culture possesses a more formal or casual dress attire. Applying at a creative agency where jeans and a polo (or even T-shirt) appear to be the common daily attire? You can still impress by dressing up, but perhaps stop short of going overboard and doing without a necktie.
Arriving early does not just mean being present, sitting in the lobby well in advance of being called in for your interview. It means starting to get ready earlier than any other appointment, meeting, and even romantic date you’ve ever had. What happens if you get lost on the way to the interview? What if you can’t find parking nearby and must walk a distance from your car to the interview location? For online interviews, what if your computer decides it needs to restart? What if Zoom or Teams needs to update unexpectedly? What if your computer crashes? By planning to be ready and present well in advance of your interview, you can maintain your course for the greatest chance for success if some of these unanticipated event(s) happen. In the end, if you arrive significantly early, the worst-case scenario is that you then have plenty time to practice deep breathing to calm any nerves, or focus on some of the positive attributes you are hoping to showcase through some of your prepared responses.
6. Develop Questions to Ask the Interviewer
Job interviews are a two-way street of communication. Interviews are not only to decide if you as a candidate are a right choice for a company, but it’s also the opportunity for you as a candidate to see if the company and the position itself will be a right fit for you. The worst thing that you would want is to get a job that you will end up hating.
Questions are not only a way to satisfy your curiosity, but if done correctly, can also be a strategic way to show your enthusiasm for the position and align your personal interests with those of the company. Good areas to strategize questions around might focus in on team dynamics, career development opportunities, company goals, or getting involved with community efforts. Avoid questions that focus solely on salary or benefits, especially during the first interview.
7. Follow Up After the Interview
After the interview, sending a personalized thank-you email is a professional gesture that reinforces interest in the role. You should express gratitude for the opportunity, provide a highlight or two from the conversation that took place, and reiterate your enthusiasm for the position. I have received follow-up emails and physical thank-you cards in the mail from candidates after their interviews, and I promise you that these are read and forwarded to others that have a say in your hire.
In addition to these seven steps, you can benefit from mock interviews, and networking with industry professionals. If you are still in college or have access to a college campus’ resources, there is likely has a career center where you can take advantage of free resume reviews and mock interview activities where helpful feedback is provided.
After a good amount of feedback and practice, remember, the overall goal is to be able to think and answer: “What is the interviewer trying to find out about me with the question they just asked? And how can I provide a satisfying answer that shows I am the best candidate for this position?”
By simple, thorough preparation, you can increase your chances of standing out in what are, in some cases, very large pools of candidates who are also being considered. Remember, while interviews may feel intimidating at first, they also serve as an opportunity for you to showcase your potential, and discover if the you and the company will be a good fit for each other.
