Stand Out and Get Hired: 7 Interview Tips for New Grads
Nicole DelToro
Stand Out and Get Hired: 7 Interview Tips for New Grads
You’re ready to graduate and now it’s time to enter the workforce. But to get hired, you need to nail your interview.
Here are our top 7 interview tips from our 22+ years of helping candidates land their ideal role.
1. Dress professionally.
An interview is not the time to show off your trendy crop top or crazy patterns. You want to project professionalism, especially as an early career professional, by wearing a full suit in solid, dark color (black, navy blue, dark grey) with a light-colored dress shirt and tie or blouse. Don’t overdo it on cologne, makeup, or jewelry; this can be distracting to the interviewer(s) and take the focus off your skills.
2. Turn off/silence your phone.
There’s nothing worse than a blaring phone interrupting the flow of a great conversation. Make sure you turn your phone on vibrate or ideally turn it off to make sure you aren’t distracted during the interview and to prevent any unwarranted interruptions.
3. Sell yourself.
Talk about the experience you have that will make you a great fit for the role, highlighting relevant internships, part-time or full-time jobs, co-ops, or academic consulting projects to demonstrate your skills. Many firms are looking for new hires to take initiative, which can be demonstrated through professional experience or leadership roles in social/professional organizations.
4. Demonstrate your enthusiasm and excitement for the role!
The biggest pitfall of interviewing is failing to convey your interest; that impression can never be undone. People give jobs to people who want the job. It may sound obvious, but a surprising number of candidates feel that they should play hard to get when it comes to interviews. Would you offer a job to someone if you did not think that they wanted it?
5. Ask meaningful questions.
Nothing says “I don’t care” like having no questions at the end of an interview. You want to leave the interviewer feeling positive and excited about your potential future with the company. The idea is to ask questions that show you have thought ahead and are a collaborative team player. Don’t focus on housekeeping questions (benefits, PTO, salary, hours); these can be discussed with HR later in the process.
6. Do your research.
Research is the key to great questions and a great interview. Review the LinkedIn profiles of everyone you’re interviewing with. Read company news and financial statements to understand what the organization does, and any industry trends. Review the company website for information on culture, values, and mission so you can talk about how your personal values are in alignment during the interview.
7. Follow up with a thank you note.
Don’t forget that thank you note! You don’t need to send a handwritten card, but you should follow up with each interviewer with a thank you email reiterating your interest and why you’re a great fit for the role. Be sure to check your spelling and grammar. Check out this blog post for more tips on writing a stand-out thank-you note.
Here are our top 7 interview tips from our 22+ years of helping candidates land their ideal role.
1. Dress professionally.
An interview is not the time to show off your trendy crop top or crazy patterns. You want to project professionalism, especially as an early career professional, by wearing a full suit in solid, dark color (black, navy blue, dark grey) with a light-colored dress shirt and tie or blouse. Don’t overdo it on cologne, makeup, or jewelry; this can be distracting to the interviewer(s) and take the focus off your skills.
2. Turn off/silence your phone.
There’s nothing worse than a blaring phone interrupting the flow of a great conversation. Make sure you turn your phone on vibrate or ideally turn it off to make sure you aren’t distracted during the interview and to prevent any unwarranted interruptions.
3. Sell yourself.
Talk about the experience you have that will make you a great fit for the role, highlighting relevant internships, part-time or full-time jobs, co-ops, or academic consulting projects to demonstrate your skills. Many firms are looking for new hires to take initiative, which can be demonstrated through professional experience or leadership roles in social/professional organizations.
4. Demonstrate your enthusiasm and excitement for the role!
The biggest pitfall of interviewing is failing to convey your interest; that impression can never be undone. People give jobs to people who want the job. It may sound obvious, but a surprising number of candidates feel that they should play hard to get when it comes to interviews. Would you offer a job to someone if you did not think that they wanted it?
5. Ask meaningful questions.
Nothing says “I don’t care” like having no questions at the end of an interview. You want to leave the interviewer feeling positive and excited about your potential future with the company. The idea is to ask questions that show you have thought ahead and are a collaborative team player. Don’t focus on housekeeping questions (benefits, PTO, salary, hours); these can be discussed with HR later in the process.
6. Do your research.
Research is the key to great questions and a great interview. Review the LinkedIn profiles of everyone you’re interviewing with. Read company news and financial statements to understand what the organization does, and any industry trends. Review the company website for information on culture, values, and mission so you can talk about how your personal values are in alignment during the interview.
7. Follow up with a thank you note.
Don’t forget that thank you note! You don’t need to send a handwritten card, but you should follow up with each interviewer with a thank you email reiterating your interest and why you’re a great fit for the role. Be sure to check your spelling and grammar. Check out this blog post for more tips on writing a stand-out thank-you note.
More by the Andrews & Cole Team
About Nicole DelToro: Nicole has been helping organizations (big and small) hire and retain top talent for over 25 years, while helping individuals realize their personal and professional goals by ensuring they’re working in the environment that’s ideal for their current situation. Contact her at: [email protected]
Andrews & Cole is a certified woman-owned boutique executive search and consulting firm with a focus on accounting and finance professionals. Clients range from start ups to Fortune 100 in nearly every industry.
Andrews & Cole is a certified woman-owned boutique executive search and consulting firm with a focus on accounting and finance professionals. Clients range from start ups to Fortune 100 in nearly every industry.
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