University
graduation is finally over, and you are about to enter the labour
market you have always dreamed, your first workplace, not to mention
bombarding a number of job hunting websites, it's important to note the
mistakes people make during interviews.
File photo
Here are some common, yet major mistakes that young graduates tend to make in their first job interviews.
1. Replying, and not listening to what the interviewer says
At the start of an interview, some interviewers follow the strategy
of throwing a 2-minute speech regarding the company profile and other
introductory information before providing you the chance to respond.
This is the chance you need to capture, take notes and focus on every
word they say. In order to show affirmation to the interviewer, some
candidates like to respond to everything he/she says.
However, this can also make the interviewer feel that you aren’t
really listening, rather you just like the sound of your own voice.
Also, there is a high chance that by repeated commenting you might miss
something crucial the interviewer has just stated.
It’s better to listen closely to everything the interviewer has to
say, you can respond if the professional ask you a question or when
there is a natural or prolonged pause in the conversation.
2. Failing to remember the job description
The fact doesn’t require further emphasis due to its already high
significance, you need to be thoroughly prepared with all the facts of
the company’s nature of business, product portfolio, and other vital
information drilled in your mind before entering the interview room
door. Further, the details of the job description should also be used to
explain your qualifications. On the other hand, forgetting to memorize
your job description is a one-stop nightmare which gives the impression
of unprofessionalism and incompetency.
One of the most important questions the interviewer will inquire
you with will be how your past job relates to this job. Both you and the
HR professional in the room wants your case to grow stronger, but only
if you have a clear idea what the company is looking for. This is how
you will be able to justify your point on how you can be the best man
for the job.
Try to memorize the pointers of your job description that consumed
most of your workday and you can communicate in the best manner
possible.
3. Interested in the company, benefits, less in the role
Undoubtedly, it is your first job interview, you’re highly excited
and nervous at the same time. But most of the time this excitement is
nothing but a mere ‘excitement’, and not for the job. Explaining how
well you are informed taking the company details is fine, but the real
defining factor is how well you are going to perform the job applied
for, rather than getting enticed by the free lunch coupons, a month of
annual leaves, education allowance, etc.
You can always go with something like, “I am well-aware that ABC
has a great culture, besides that I am more intended to perform my XYZ
job responsibilities way better than everyone else and contribute
through effective ways for enhancing the overall efficiency of the
team”. And now is the time to insist your case in a tempting manner.
4. Depending on college accomplishments
This is one serious mistake especially recent graduates need to
stay vigilant from. The HR personnel sitting in front of you may have
graduated years before you have, and are definitely not interested nor
impressed in your extra-curricular activities, A+ grades in the
electives, or other college routine tasks.
Rather than talk will be more oriented towards real-world problems
and decision making scenarios. It’s better to embrace the reality:
college things are days of the past. Keep your focus on the instances
that reflect the post-graduation time as that’s the realm your potential
employer is residing in.
A better choice would be, “Although I earned a nice 3.7 GPA, but I
am well-aware that it isn’t the metric used to grade me in this role.
However, maintaining the same commitment and dedication is what I have
to show you here as well”.
5. Negativity
It’s simple, what experiences you had at any past employer, never
talk ill regarding them anywhere else. Agreeably the interviewer will
ask you the reason for applying for a new job, while it doesn’t mean you
start playing the blame game and pour out displeasures at your past
workplace, but explain the reason why this role is perfect for you.
Presenting a bad image of the past employer will force the interviewer
to think you are just asking for a way out.
Furthermore, they might also begin to doubt you regarding the
things you have written in your current job descriptions and skills. The
tip may look more suited for established professionals, but the same
consideration applies for recent college graduates as well.
Even if you have experienced some real injustice or mistreatment at
the hands of a bad manager, it’s time to leave the things as-is and
focus on your new employment opportunity.
Written by: Emma Norman for Jarushub
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