You are done with your exams. Got the degrees that you wanted and now comes the next stage.

It is the time for a job hunt.

You have prepared your online profile, applied to the companies that you are interested in, and now waiting for your first interview call.

Finally, when you get that call, you are short-listed for the interview,  and you are all excited for your first break.

And now this question: How to crack your first interview?

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the axe.”

It’s an undeniable fact that appropriate preparation is indispensable for the successful occurrence of an event. There are no secrets to accomplishments. It is the product of preparation, hard work, and learning from disappointments. Therefore, getting through an interview, effectively, being fully prepared is non-negotiable.

The whole concept of an interview is about judging a candidate’s eligibility on the basis of skills, character, and sincerity for the applied job.

Keeping a track on what interviewers seek for in a candidate, there are basic interview questions and answers that you should prepare.

For instance: self-introduction in an interview for freshers is very important. How you answer the tell me about yourself question leaves a great impact on the interviewers.

Since it is your first time that you have to go for a job interview, I have come up with a list of interview tips for freshers.

Though there is no set recipe to, successfully, clear an interview, a few general pointers will help.

Basic Interview Preparation Tips For Freshers

1. Read About the Organisation
2. Know What you are Applying for
3. Know the Skill Requirement and Perquisites
4. Act Professionally
5. Invest Some Time and Thought in Writing a crisp CV
6. Know Your Strengths and Be Ready to Admit Your Weaknesses

Given below are details pertaining these interview preparation tips:

• Read About the Organisation

One must be fully acquainted with the origin, background, and competencies of the organization and its verticals. Covering all the grounds which might relate to the job or internship will be helpful. Questions regarding company’s profile are among the most important questions of HR interview questions and answers round.

It will be distasteful and reflect poorly on you if you fail to answer basic and relevant information about the company you wish to get into.

For example, if you are applying in a media organization, know the name of the editor, the sister organizations and different mediums that the organization is working in. Similarly, an interview in the corporate sector will require you to brush up your industry knowledge.

• Know What you are Applying for

A thorough study and understanding of ‘Job Description’ is essential. You must be aware of exactly what you are applying for. What are the growth prospects? Whether or not you are properly qualified for the job. Be prepared to answer questions like why you do want to do this, and no, ‘my friend asked me to apply’ is not an acceptable answer.

• Know the Skill Requirement and Perquisites

It is always advisable to look out for perks that the job may provide you with. This might influence your seriousness for the job. One has to be fully conscious of what exactly the interviewer would be looking in a person for a particular job. The specific set of skills and ability that are sought have to be clear in the mind, and application, so that it can be used to distinguish you from the masses.

Also, you should know how your particular skill can be put to use for a particular profile that you have applied for.

And if you have applied for a technical profile, then make sure you are prepared with technical interview questions and answers round.

• Act Professionally

Being a college student and seeking your first internship doesn’t give you a license to show up for your interview in slippers. You ought to follow the established protocol of an interview.However, at the same time, it is important to prepare yourself in a way which brings out the best in you. You should neither dominate nor look submissive. Your confidence will have to be differentiated from being obnoxious and cocky. This is a character trait which has to be worked upon before appearing in an interview.

However, at the same time, it is important to prepare yourself in a way which brings out the best in you. You should neither dominate nor look submissive. Your confidence will have to be differentiated from being obnoxious and cocky. This is a character trait which has to be worked upon before appearing in an interview.

• Invest Some Time and Thought in Writing a crisp CV

Send your CV before the interview, or carry a copy, to avoid verbally explaining your educational qualifications and thereby giving the interviewer some time to study your application. Additionally, a major part of your interview will anyway be about your experience and skill set, thereby making the importance of the CV paramount. Include relevant information and do not exceed a page, maximum two.

• Know Your Strengths and Be Ready to Admit Your Weaknesses

Most of the time, Interviewers reach a verdict in the first few minutes. Hence, you cannot afford to stumble and fumble in the initial stage.

You must carry yourself decently before getting in front of the interviewer and communicating with him. The adage that “the first impression is the last impressions” holds true for a majority of interviews.

Once the interviewer has made his/her mind there is a slim chance they will change it.

Hence, it is imperative to be geared up for everything beforehand so that when it comes to battle, nothing is compromised. Success depends on your preparation, and without the ground work, you are likely to fail. Prepare well, and all the best. Thank us later!

Additional Tips to Crack Your First Interview

1. Though you have shared the copy of your CV via mail, carry a hard copy along in case, it is required.
2. Take the print out of your CV beforehand to avoid any delay on the day of the interview.
3. Know the location of your interview venue in advance and reach 10 to 15 minutes before.
4. Try anticipating certain closely related questions. For instance: If the interviewer talks about any of your skills, ask them or discuss the kind of work they are expecting from their employee.
5. A few days before your interview, practice the way you’ll speak at the interview. You can record your answers on your phone to check the tone, stand in front of the mirror to check your facial expressions, etc.
6.  It is advisable to switch off your phone to avoid any distraction during the interview. It will keep you away from any unexpected call during the session.
7. Be enthusiastic, real, and confident in front of the interviewers.

So these are some of the interview tips for freshers. Cling to these tips to excel your first interview.

Good Luck!