College Graduation 2013: 5 Ways to Ace Your Post-Grad Job Interview

With the slew of new graduates applying for jobs and other millenials still trying to seek jobs, any mistake can cost you the job or interview. This article notes how millenials behave horribly during interviews and in the workplace. Here are 5 tips to help you further yourself in the job market and perform better in the workplace.

1. Dress For Success

This tip is a no-brainer, but some people still do not adhere to this rule. Most HR professionals state that “you should dress for a job at least one rung on the career ladder above the one for which you’re applying.” I usually wear a business suit that’s either grey with a purple or blue shirt or black with yellow (no surprise) shirt. It looks really great.

If you are in the workplace, ask what the dress code is and adhere to it. For your first year, you want to impress your employers. There is a fine balance between overdressing and under dressing. Ask co-workers if there are any special occasions where you have to dress fancier for corporate events.

2. A Nice Firm Handshake

During my freshman organizational communications class, we learned the importance of a firm handshake. My professor walked around critiquing our handshakes. The best bet is to give a nice firm handshake and mirror the person’s handshake, unless it’s the dreaded limp handshake.

This isn’t just for interviews, but handshakes in general. Whenever you are meeting a new person, whether it be a client, customer or new colleague, a handshake is the universal welcoming sign for the United States.

3. Communication is Key

In an age where technology has made communication easy to just text and email, many people are forgetting interpersonal communication. Obviously you send email in regards to your application, but if you’re accepting a different job, please do the decency and call the agency you’ve rejected. And please, for the LOVE OF GOD, proofread your emails. Do not make these common mistakes. Please do not be an idiot and text during an interview or take a phone call.

 What can be solved in a 5-minute conversation can extenuate over multiple messages of IM’ing or emailing I find myself emailing a lot of people even though my office is small and have taken a conscious effort to walk over and talk to my site supervisor. It’s also nice to walk around as well. So much can be misconstrued in email since you are lacking verbal cues.

4. Ask Questions and Do Research

One of the key things during a job interview is researching the company. The idea is to do enough research where you know the 5 Ws. Who, What, Where, When and Why? Too much research will make you sound pretentious and presumptuous. Asking questions is key to the interview, not only does it show that you are interested in the company, but it shows you really want the job. Always go with at least 2-3 questions about the company. It is really bad when the interviewer asks you “Do you have any questions for me?” and you respond with “No.”

Once you received the job, you still need to continue to ask questions and research. I am always trying to find new ways about volunteer recruitment or homelessness. Continuing to advance your knowledge about your industry will show initiative and can only benefit you. 

5. Be Yourself

This one might seem counter-intuitive, but if you try to change your personality to fit the company’s culture, you may not be applying for the right job. This is the opportunity to let your personality shine through and show how legendary you are.

Talk about your accomplishments, your goals and aspirations in a humble manner. If you are confident and show your passions, interviewers respect you much more.

In the workplace, being yourself is key. You don’t want to be fake or just very bland. Obviously there is a line between how much information you divulge about your personality, but letting people know some information about your personality makes the environment a much happier place to work.

So go forth and get your Big Girl or Boy jobs!