Nail That Interview: 5 Game-Changing Tips for Freshers | Naveen Tiwari | Co-Founder | Scrabble

Being on the cusp of change, transitioning from the sheltered world of academia and entering the competitive professional landscape is one of the most defining phases of an adult’s life. It’s the make-or-break, one may hear others saying, and can’t help but feel the pressure. And invariably, that gets in the way! In trying to be perfect, make the best first impression, and land your dream job, most of the freshers freeze or fumble under pressure.

To freshers especially, we always recommend approaching interviews from a space of curiosity and aspiration. Feel the breeze of running wild in a playground or being engrossed in your favourite creative activity – where you don’t thing, simply flow. A job interview, after all, is only a test of your strategic thinking, fluid adaptability, and a display of potential. And you’ve got potential!

However, it’s important that the potential reaches the right destination – where it will be nurtured, polished, honed into a leader of tomorrow. And to that end, here’s sharing 5 Incredible interview tips essential for freshers to standout in this hypercompetitive business landscape:

1. Don’t Think Like An Employee – Think Like A Business Owner!
Don’t let yourself being caught in the frenzy of proving your worth as a suitable candidate. A lot of freshers like to list their skills and achievements. It’s amateur and may, at times, smell of desperation. Not only it’s not a good luck, it will be leveraged against you during negotiations.

Instead, flip your perspective.

Approach interviews as a business owner, a possible collaborator. Yes, you need to prove your competence in a job interview, but do it as means of suggesting the problems that you can solve for the company. Or the problems that you have solved for different people in your life, thus far.

As per LinkedIn Global Recruiting Trends, 92% of hiring managers are looking for problem-solvers. This is your sure shot way to become irreplaceable for an organisation. Grab it!

2. Research About the Company – Go Beyond the Website!
As per a Hiring Report shared by Glassdoor, culture fit is a top priority for 86% of employers.
That’s significant!

Thus, when you read up about the company, go beyond the website, the “About Us” section or the Wikipedia blurb. Instead, conduct your research, leverage the power of social media or your network in gaining insights on the Culture of the Organisation.

Demonstrate to your interviewer that this job is not just “means to an end”, but you connect with values and principles that the organisation stands for.

3. Be A STAR – Master Storytelling, Be Charming!
Wish to know the easiest way to charm anyone? Tell stories. Don’t be boastful, aggressive, or arrogant. Simply tell a fascinating tale – and try and stick to the STAR format – Situation, Task, Action, Result! However, feel free to infuse your wit, charm, passion into these stories.

Be it a college project, a volunteer work, assisting family members that allows you to learn something interesting and tackle a unique problem – have a repertoire full of such enriching and enchanting tales.

Authentic storytelling is going to speak volumes of your self-confidence and self-awareness, much better than “directly telling them”!

4. Interact – Ask Bold Questions
Again, you are not just another candidate showing up for a walk-in! You are a business owner, a future collaborator. And so, it’s important for you to know about the company. Avoid the done-to-death questions like what a typical day looks like. Instead, get straight to business. Questions like “what’s a skill or personality trait you feel is missing in the organisation”? Or perhaps “what’s a major challenge facing the organisation today – how
can my role help aid that?”

Be bold, be curious, and of course, be respectful. As per Harvard Business Review, candidates asking insightful questions left a mark on as many as 75% of hiring managers. This is your way of positioning yourself as proactive and strategic thinker who envisions a longer future for with the organisation.

5. Give “Reverse Preparation” A Shot!
Don’t just prepare answers. Instead, think from the interviewer’s perspective. What concerns may a hiring manager have in hiring a fresher like you? Address them.

Go through the job description at length – research more about it online – understand the persona, the unsaid qualities they are looking for through this description. Prepare your responses to demonstrate this unique trait or skill in you.

Try mock interviews with friends, peers, someone senior. You make also take help of various AI tools for this.

In conclusion, remember that interviews are not interrogations. Instead they are engaging conversations to arrive at a “win-win”. Win for you as an employee and for them as an organisation. The sooner you arrive at a win-win for yourself and the organisation, the sooner you’ll be hired! Good luck!