Are you a college student looking for a job while getting a degree or one for as soon as
you graduate? We got you. We decided to create a concise but effective guide on how to ace
your first job interview and prepare you for the process before, during, and after. The list
includes key information such as what questions to ask and not to ask, how to dress properly, the
difference between zoom interviews and in-person interviews, what to research about the
company beforehand, how to write emails thanking your interviewers afterwards, and some other
extra tips.
The first step you should take is making sure you have a neat LinkedIn page, if you don’t,
get on it right away. It is easier for companies to determine what kind of person you are and if
you are a right fir for them by looking at your accomplishments, experience, degrees, GPA, clubs
you are in, pictures, location, videos, projects, and even the people you are connected to matters
to them. You can check out these 20 steps for a better LinkedIn profile in 2023 by Jane Deehan,
Senior Content Marketing Manager at LinkedIn.
The second step is doing research on companies that align with the job you wish to have
and the values you are looking for in the environment. There are plenty of ways to apply these
filters in LinkedIn and you can also contact the companies directly through message. Apply to as
many as you can and wait for their responses. If they are interested in, you they should not take
longer than 2 weeks to respond and make an offer.
If the companies decide to reach out to you and offer you an interview then you can move
to step three, prepare. Do as much research on the organization as you can. Its foundation, its
values, who are the people in charge, how and why was it born, who you will be talking to. All
this digging is going to allow you to formulate questions that you can ask to the interviewers. It
will also give you an idea on what you can bring to the table once you are working for them,
something that they don’t already have.
The fourth step is the interview. Some tips for this moment would be to treat the people
you are talking to with respect and use proper language. Dress accordingly, when researching the
company, you can find out if they dress business casual or business professional. If you can’t
find this out preferably dress business professional, it is generally best to over dress than under
dress. We put examples of both dress codes below. Sit there and listen to everything they have to
say, pay attention but do not interrupt them. At the end of the interview, they will ask you if you
have any questions for them. At this moment avoid questions about your salary or flexibility and
instead ask questions such as “What can I do to help your business succeed?”, “How has the
company evolved over the years?”, “What are the plans for the company over the next 5-10
years?”. These questions will demonstrate your interest on the company, on its future, and that
your determination to help them succeed. Afterwards, thank them, and tell them you hope to hear
from them soon.
Ideas on how to dress
Business Professional
Business Casual
The fifth and last step is to wait for their response, a job offer or a rejection letter. While
you wait for this email, you shouldn’t sit too comfortably. Write an email to the people that
interviewed you thanking them for the opportunity, regardless of what they decide to do. Try not
to sound desperate, show excitement and be genuinely thankful for their time. Express how the
company impressed you, how you think they will help you grow as a professional and tell them
you are available if there is anything else they need from you. Just send one email, don’t overdo
it and wait patiently for their response. If they offer you the job Congratulations! You have
officially begun your professional career. If they don’t, do not let it disappoint you, success does
not come easy. Try doing everything again, and it will get easier each time. What is meant for
you will find you. Being confident is key, show them everything you have to offer. We wish you
the best of luck!
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