A student’s first career interview: key steps to success

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The first career interview can be an exciting and stressful event for any student, as it is the first step into a future career. And it is good if this step is confident and successful. But for this you need to make maximum efforts, because the interview itself is your opportunity to demonstrate your potential and gain valuable experience. However, careful preparation, effective self-presentation and practice can help you pass this important stage and start your career on the right foot.

The way to a successful career interview: Preparation checklist:

Get to know the company
It is very important to capture the spirit of the company, because every employer wants to see a part of their team in every candidate. Therefore, before the interview, find out as much information as possible about the place where you are going for the interview. Learn about the history of the company and its development from the beginning of its existence, study the projects and achievements of the company, learn what values ​​are important for the company and how they affect the working atmosphere.
In general, do not forget that detailed information about the company is your key to a successful interview and successful career growth.

Prepare thoroughly for the questions
An interview is a standard procedure, and the fact that you will be asked certain questions is no secret. So prepare a short, structured summary of your experience, skills and goals. Prepare stories about your greatest achievements and how they affected the development of the previous company, think carefully about the answers to questions about your strengths and weaknesses, providing specific examples, share examples of joint achievements and cooperation with other colleagues.
Here is a list of the most common interview questions:

• Why do you want to work in our company?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What do you expect from this job?
• Tell us about yourself.

Follow the dress code
No matter how banal the phrase may sound in the modern world: “They meet by clothes, but see off by reason” – it should not be neglected. And even if you are more comfortable in sports clothes, here you should switch to a business style. That is why your clothes should look clean, neat, restrained and comfortable. Ripped jeans, sweatpants, tops, and Olympians are definitely out of place here. Of course, it is not necessary to dress up as if you are going to a meeting with the prime minister, a casual style will be quite enough here.

Remember: following the interview dress code is an important aspect of your career success. After all, the first impression about you plays a key role in your success.

Try to speak only the truth
It often happens that students often embellish their own abilities, skills and experience in order to get the desired position in the dream company. However, it is definitely not worth doing so, so do not attribute to yourself abilities, skills and experience, do not invent positions and companies that you have nothing to do with. Since even the smallest lie can ruin everything, because no employer simply wants to deal with a person who tells lies, so remember that honesty is an indispensable trait, both in life and at work.

Be sincere and open
You should not force the specialist to extract every word from you, because first of all you should be interested in getting the desired position. Of course, many people are afraid of an interview and this fear can override absolutely everything, but prepare yourself for the interview as a business meeting. Even if you are nervous, it will not hurt to see a good specialist in you, but only if you are open and sincere at this fateful meeting.

Don’t use certain phrases and sentences
You’ve probably heard the phrase “everything we say can be used against us.” It’s the same at an interview, and it’s not because the person conducting the interview has set out to “inundate” you with difficult questions and formulations. No, nothing personal, just that this person has a clear task: to find an ideal specialist for a vacant position in the company. So always think about what you say and how it will be perceived and used.
Here is a list of phrases that should be avoided at a meeting:

• “I don’t know” or “It’s none of my business.” These phrases indicate opposition to the initiative and the desire to develop.
• “My last job was boring” or “I had no motivation to work.” These statements may indicate a negative opinion of your past work and you as an employee. Instead, you can say that working at a previous company gave you invaluable experience in your field.
• “It’s not fair” or “I’m always right”. These phrases may indicate your confrontational behavior and inability to communicate adequately. Better instead, demonstrate your willingness to listen and cooperate.
• “It’s too difficult” or “It’s impossible”. Instead, it is better to say: “This is something new for me, but I am ready to learn and develop.”

Avoiding such phrases and wording will help you leave a positive impression during the interview and present yourself as a valuable candidate who has the appropriate communication skills and is ready for new professional challenges.

The most common mistakes students make during an interview

1. Do not talk in detail about your personal life, do not argue about political and religious views, do not complain about money and health problems. You came to the interview solely to prove yourself as a valuable specialist and get the desired position.
2. Do not list the facts from the resume, and do not use the phrase “everything is written in the resume anyway”, rather give specific examples of your activities and experience.
3. Students often do not make enough effort to learn more about the company, however, before the interview, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the company, its values, projects and goals in detail. This will help you answer questions and show your interest.
4. Due to the busy rhythm of life, students may not pay enough attention to their appearance and clothing during the interview. However, as we have already written before, your appearance is the first impression of you as a candidate.
5. Don’t tell your biography from birth to the present, don’t get confused in facts and don’t talk too much. Believe me, employers are much more interested in hearing about your educational and career achievements than how you learned to walk.

Remember that it is thanks to the right preparation and a professional approach to the interview that you can increase your chances of success and get the desired position. After all, every interview is an opportunity to prove yourself and impress the employer.
Trust yourself, be open and confident in your abilities, and your interview will definitely be the first step to your successful career.