According to the recent statistics, more than a half of students are employed. They combine work and education to cover their bills and reduce study loans.
Unfortunately, it can be hard for learners to find a well-paying job because they don’t have a diploma.
Graduate students also experience a lot of issues because they don’t have hands-on working experience.
In case you’re an undergraduate who wants to pass an interview successfully and get the job of your dream, scroll down below and read some helpful recommendations.
Dress Accordingly
Students tend to wear sporty and trendy clothes. Usually, they dress in jeans and t-shirts. However, this outfit isn’t the top if you want to get a job.
In case you don’t have a business suit in your wardrobe, you have to wear smart-casual attire. It’s perfect for adolescents who are looking for their first job while studying at college. This outfit will help you feel relaxed but still be presentable.
The smart-casual style will need you to wear dark jeans. They should be classic. Skinny denim with holes should be avoided. Chinos of a neutral color are perfect. Get a pair of classic or leather shoes.
Remember, never wear sneakers, even if they are from the latest collection.
On top, you have to wear a neutral-colored shirt. If it’s cold, dress in a nice sweater. Women should also stick to this style.
However, they are allowed to wear heels. If your interview is performed online, you have to dress correspondingly, anyway.
Get Prepared for an Interview
Good preparation is the key to success in a job interview. First of all, you need to research the company to present yourself as a candidate interested in getting a job.
These days, almost all firms have websites and social media profiles that can help you find a lot of background information about the best achievements, founders, current projects, etc.
Using the Internet, you can find a lot of helpful information that can increase your chances of getting hired. If you find a company’s problem, don’t hesitate to tell recruiters how you can help find a solution.
Never get late for your interview. It’s a red flag for most employers. It’s recommended to arrive early to be on time. Some spare time in your schedule can be very helpful if some unforeseen issues happen.
Being short on time, pay someone to do homework online to get enough time on your agenda.
Nevertheless, these days, distance interviews have become more common. If you don’t want to fail it, you need to make sure that your computer works properly.
You have to set up everything in advance not to waste the time of a potential employer configuring your camera and microphone.
Focus on Your Strength and Skills
Since most students leave the prior employment section empty in their resumes, you need to present your professional skills that a potential employer will value.
First of all, briefly talk about your traits. Remember, soft skills are less important for recruiters, so don’t focus on them.
The elevator pitch needs to be focused on the hard skills that you’ve already learned.
Feel free to cover the lack of professional experience with achievements in learning and over-curricular activities. Tell about things that make you engaged and let a potential employer know why they need to hire you.
Don’t be shy about highlighting skills and knowledge that make you the best candidate.
Present Yourself Professionally
You should present yourself as a skilled specialist despite a lack of hands-on experience in a particular niche.
Note, you have to learn your resume to be able to answer any questions or claims.
Pitching yourself, focus on particular skills and achievements only. Your presentation should be brief and impressive. Therefore, don’t be shy to try pitching it to your friends first to check if it’s good enough.
Also, you need to research potential questions that a recruiter may ask. Prepared answers will increase your chances of getting hired.
The most popular are the following:
- Could you share a few words about yourself?
- What is your major weakness?
- Why do we need to choose you?
Answering the questions, always keep eye contact with a recruiter to showcase your confidence.
Never lie, as most employers conduct background checks on the best candidates. Also, the lie can be easily revealed by asking tricky or specific questions. Indeed, candidates who provide untruthful information have no chance of being selected.
Send a Follow-Up Message
When an interview is finished, compose and send a letter to thank the recruiter for the time spent.
In case you didn’t get a reply from a potential employer within a week, send a follow-up message to discover if you were selected for the final round of interviews.
All the messages need to be grammatically correct. Therefore, don’t be shy about using online tools for checking your messages.
