Interview Tips for College Students

Appearing for your first interview during your college is equally essential as appearing after completing your studies. It takes some key points to remember and a few of the expert tips to make a great first impression on your potential employers.

However, being a college student, you have little to zero knowledge about the importance of making the impactful first impression and how it can affect your overall career. You will indeed remember this first-ever job interview experience in your entire life.

Below we will discuss important Do’s & Don’ts that college students should and should not do. Keep reading!

Dressing formally, arriving on time, and smiling on compliments- these are pretty common so we might not discuss them below. Avoid giving the last moment surprises to yourself and prepare yourself a night before your job interview. There are great chances that you forget to take the important document along by rushing.

Tip No. 1: Learn About Your Employer

Thoroughly learn about the job designation and responsibilities that you’re applying for. After that, do in-depth research about your employer and the business’s nature because you might get only a few chances of impressing him with your pre-prepared intelligence and intellectuality. In fact, the employer might be more impressed if instead of answering straight to their question, you also know about the advancements you can bring to his business.

Tip No. 2: Relate the Job Description to Your Goals

If you’re doing it only out of boredom, today or tomorrow, you’ll quit it. But if you find a goal-oriented and result-focused job, you’ll stick to it for a long time. Be it an internship or job, and a career-oriented opportunity comes rarely. Be open in your interview about how this job relates to your academic studies and long-awaited goals.

Tip No. 3: Practice Your Interview Skills

If you hesitate quickly or have no clue how to face the strict interviewers, try practising your interview skills with a friend, family member, or career counsellor. They’ll help you improve! If you want to make a first great impression at your interview, take professional HR assignment help from career counselling services. They most likely conduct mock interviews to prepare interviewees for their interview. Besides, you must research some of the commonly asked interview questions and schedule the answers beforehand.

Tip No. 4: Dress Formally for Your Interview, but Not Too Formal!

Even if it means getting 2 hours early from your interview, do it. College students often go to the interview right after their classes, so it means you’ll have to go to your college in formal dress. If you carry a backpack along, which is 99% obvious, make sure it is properly washed and in a nice shape to go along with your attire.

Tip No. 5: Put Your Phone on Silent Mode

The worst thing that can happen to you during an interview is your phone ringing loudly. Do you know what’s worse? That suddenly a song ringtone comes up in front of your interviewers. We all know how interviews are essential for your career, so understand one thing; those sneaky texts and friends’ calls can wait. Always put your phone on silent before entering the interview premises.

Tip No. 6: Don’t Bring Friends

Your potential workplace is not a place to hang out with friends. Some employers mind that! If a friend or a family member has come to drop you off or wish you luck, make them stay outside the premises or in the waiting room. Avoid taking them to the actual interview section. The best way is to make them wait down in the car.

Tip No. 7: Take a Copy of Resume and Other Important Documents to the Interview

Never forget to bring a hardcopy of your resume, educational documents, past certificates, and recent employment leaving letter to your interview. Almost every serious interview would ask you to show your documents and sometimes verify the dates mentioned in your resume. If you have any current or past reference in the workplace that you’re giving an interview for, that’d be great!

Tip No. 8: Check Your Employer’s Contact Information before Going to the Place

Being a college student, you never know what unforeseen situations might come in front of you on your interview date. There are possible chances that your class schedules shifts, a surprise test comes up, or your teachers want to speak with you in person. You can’t predict these obstacles, but you can indeed inform your employer about your late arrival at the interview. He or she will surely understand your situation.

Tip No. 9: Be Upfront About Your Availability at Work

Don’t worry; it won’t put your job at risk. Being a student, you can’t give more than 6-7 hours to your career as you have to study as well. Therefore, at the time of the interview, let your potential employer know how many hours you can give at work and how long you are planning to keep this job. If any day you feel stuck at the job and it’s disturbing your studies, be honest to your employer.

Tip No. 10: Be Professional, Polite, and Attentive During Your Interview

The moment you walk-in, every single thing that you do gets noticed and observed. Above mentioned three things should be must in your attitude, politeness, attentiveness, and professionalism. Don’t be outspoken in front of your interviewer; think about your answers before actually giving them. Hopefully, it will turn out positive for you.

Tip No. 11: Be Vigilant About Your Interview Time & Date

College students are most likely to take dates and time for granted as they are always busy in studies, family time and friends. But when it comes to appearing for the interview, only commit the date and time if you can occur there. Rescheduling interviews often results in negative impact in front of your potential employer.

Conclusion

Every college student wishes to make the great first impression at his or her interview. Therefore, we came up with these amazing yet proven interview tips to succeed in your upcoming interview. Good Luck!