Preparing for Your First Professional Job Interview

Have you just started your first job search? Are you about to go on your first professional job interview? You may be feeling nervous and unsure of how to prepare. Here are a few tips to help make the interview a success.

Do your research

Before your interview, take some time to research the company so that you have a good understanding of how they operate. Typically, most organizations offer a lot of company information online so be sure to check out their website. You may be asked what you know about the company in your interview, so spend some time on the “About Us” section of their website as well as any other relevant pages. Don’t forget to browse through their social media pages as well to get a good feel for the company’s current focus and culture.

Learn about the position

Find out as much as you can about the position you’re applying to. Read through the job description and ask yourself, “Why am I the best person for this job?” Go through the list of responsibilities and think of how your skills fit into the role. If you know someone who works at the company you’re applying to or interviewing at, ask them about the job, the interview process, and the company. The more you know, the easier it will be to answer questions about why you’d be a good fit.

Practice interviewing

Review common interview questions and answers, then get a family member or friend to ask you some questions so you can practice. Read through the job description and come up with a few questions that you think they may ask you and prepare answers. You don’t want to come off sounding like a robot during your interview, so don’t worry about memorizing your answers. The reason for practicing is to feel more comfortable speaking and organizing your thoughts prior to your actual interview.

Dress appropriately

Even if you know that the company’s dress code is more relaxed, you should still dress professionally for your interview. Choose simple, but appropriate attire. If you’re unsure what to wear, ask an adult family member, professor, or advisor. As a college student, your budget is probably pretty tight, so don’t worry about splurging on professional attire.
Shopping secondhand is a great alternative, especially for college students. Try online consignment stores like thredUP which offer top name brands like Madewell that you can choose from without leaving your dorm!

With these tips from GradGuard, you are bound to knock that first job interview out of the park!