The time when your mind is overwhelmed with many thoughts, you are puzzled, and your heart is racing; definitely, it’s your first foray into the interview room. Being a fresher, it is normal to be nervous, as you are inexperienced. This is why Interview preparation for freshers is essential.

Interview preparation primarily means considering your life goals and qualifying your skill sets which makes you all set to go ahead in your career. To accomplish this, you need someone to hold your hand who can guide you how to start for an interview and crack perfectly. Here we come up with the answers to your every question relating to on how to prepare for an interview?

Well before landing on this page you might have checked a few YouTube links or might have gone through interview questions. Here you are going to know about the most important things which are important during an interview phase.

Moving ahead in the right direction, we will talk first about communication skills which are very much necessary for the interview preparation.

For instance, while giving an interview when you become nervous you keep on repeating the same words sir, mam, I or ummm etc. These words or expressions show lack of confidence. So, direct communication is very important.

Just like an interviewer questions you with a twist and tweak, you need to be wiser while answering. Shortlisting companies sensibly before applying is very important. Always remember that you should do an in-depth research of the company, look at the job description in detail, understand the requirement, and check if it falls within your forte and interest or not.

Let’s check some tips on how to prepare for an interview

1. Applicant Tracking Systems:

Preparing a resume is the first thing that comes in the to-do list of interview preparation after the initial job search.

Do you know that the top companies and job portals like Fresher’s World, IIM Jobs, Career Builder, Monster, Indeed, Zip Recruiter, and Naukri etc. use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) for screening job applications?

Based on your qualification, and tallying the job description, the job application is ranked, which processes the screening efficiently. The keyword usage and abbreviations like B.S. degree with different section headers Education, Work Experience, Leadership, and Skills are helpful as the recruiters check these while screening the resume.

 Note: ATS systems pull your first and last name so never put any designations like Dr. or Ph.D. in your title. This may not screen your application. 

2. Updating your LinkedIn Profile:

A great LinkedIn profile is another critical part of interview preparation for fresher’s which is generally ignored. A strong network and contacts can help you to get a job that you might be interested in. Further, the recruiter may also look at your skillset, endorsements, projects, and achievements which might help them to shortlist your resume and call you for an interview.

A LinkedIn profile needs to be complete and have a custom URL including your name, a great display picture, your targeted J.D., summary in 3- 4 short paras which gives an exposure. Additionally, you can mention your achievements, internship, or any work experience, languages known. These make your profile impressive.

3. Read up about the company in advance:

When you start looking for job opportunities, it’s essential to look at the company details. For this, the best place is to look at the company website and social media pages. Check if in your network you know anyone who can share more details about the working of the company, their culture, initiatives, etc. You could also check Glassdoor to understand what others share about the company. All such efforts help to know more about the company which will help to step into the right career and grow with the right company.

Keep yourself safe while selecting the recruiter, job agency, or while applying to job openings. As much as possible, avoid sharing personal details on these portals or with strangers. Add your name and city but avoid adding a complete residential address. Be cautious of phone calls where you may be asked to pay for subscriptions, deposits, assured job guarantee, etc.

4. Decide what to wear:

Going for an interview for the first time? Don’t wear brand new shoes or formal clothes as you may get shoe bites, or the clothing fabric may make you feel uneasy, which will divert your mind during the interview.

I’m sure that you will dress smartly, but nowadays casual wear at work is being encouraged in many companies. Irrespective of the company culture, always wear formal clothes for the interview. Ensure you wear clean and ironed clothes with formal and well-polished shoes.

Here are some frequently asked questions in interviews:

The most common question is – Tell me/us something about yourself that is not mentioned in your resume? Well, this doesn’t mean that you have to reveal your darkest secret or share all your personal details. Give answers smartly which creates a positive image about you and sets the tone for the rest of the interview.

Next, you may be asked about your strengths and weaknesses. While answering always remember that you may be cross-questioned and you should not share any weakness that might restrict you from getting a job.

Further, the recruiter may want to see your dedication, know your plans, and career goals. All these help them to know how fit you are for them and how you can dedicate towards the company growth.

While working as an employee, you need to be a team player and have enough skill sets to handle the challenges. From time management to dedication and disagreement with management, you need to show your qualities, which can benefit the company.

5. Do a mock personal interview with a friend or coach:

In most big companies there are several rounds of interviews and mass screening processes. You will need to prepare for these by focusing on group discussions, personal interviews, and case studies. Mock interviews are thus, important to boost your confidence levels.

The best way to prepare is to study the job description in detail and further arrange for group discussion practice with your friends or coach. This would help you to boost your confidence levels and improve your communication skills. You will acknowledge and learn more about the skills that need to be showcased in group discussions and personal interviews. Feedbacks from friends and coaches will then be a part of your improvement plan.

Final verdict: 

If you have already appeared for several interviews but are still not getting a good opportunity don’t lose your hope. You can look at several videos on YouTube or you can get enrolled in my Get Job Ready Course and learn about How to prepare for an interview? You will get a free mock interview with me, learn about the frequently asked questions, enhance your resume and LinkedIn profile, learn how to crack group discussions, what to wear in the interview, and much more.

For more details, please check the course curriculum where you will learn everything about how to crack jobs or you can also opt for a career report in case you still figuring out your specialization.

Improve your chance of getting selected by handling the different rounds of interviews correctly and develop a better understanding of your career growth. We are here to help you level up your game and get you your dream job.