Recent grads, you’ve completed your final semester of school, and post-grad life preparations are in full swing. This is a hectic time, and one of the most pressing questions from everyone around you (and yourself) is what comes next. After graduation, you may be ready to enter the working world for the first time, but job hunting is never easy. According to Her Campus’ 2023 Early Career Survey, 42.8% of the 1,448 participants are currently looking for their first post-college job. And it’s not just finding the job that’s tough — 10.79% of those respondents said going through the interview process is their main source of anxiety during their job search.
Once you’ve found a potential employment opportunity, the next difficult step is figuring out how to ace the interview. A lot of young people in their 20s without much work experience question how to stand out in an interview among competitors — or how to even properly prepare for one. You’re not alone. Here are seven tips to help you succeed in your next job interview, all according to LinkedIn spokesperson Andrew McCaskill.
- Do your research beforehand.
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Before walking into a job interview, it’s best to do your research in advance. “That means researching the company that’s interviewing you,” McCaskill says. “What’s their company history? How is their organization structured? What types of work do they accomplish? Are there any red flags you might want to bring up in the interview?”
While asking questions about the company is key in assessing if the job is a good fit for you, you should also ask yourself questions before taking the interview. “It’s important to be thoughtful during this process, and take the time to figure out what you want and need from work. Ask yourself if this is the role for you, or the right company for you. You need to evaluate your non-negotiables, like remote work, and be prepared to ask questions tied to your needs and values.”
McCaskill also emphasizes the importance of taking notes while researching and writing down all potential questions, which is critical to succeeding in the interviewing process.
- Ask questions to demonstrate your strategic thinking.
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A red flag of any interviewee is having zero questions for the employer — not only could it make you look uninterested, but it’s also a waste of a great opportunity to figure out if this company is even a place you want to work.
“According to a LinkedIn survey from February 2023, more than two-thirds of Americans say it’s a deal breaker if an organization’s values do not align with their own,” McCaskill tells Her Campus. “But, one quarter say the biggest challenge in finding a job at a company that’s committed to the culture or values they care about is knowing whether the company is truly committed or if it’s performative. Use this opportunity to get to the core of the company’s values.”
McCaskill suggests applying this time not only to ask strategic questions about the organization, but also to display strategic thinking and ways you can help the employers flourish.
- Discuss salary expectations before accepting the position.
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It may seem risky to ask about income during the initial meeting, but it’s a vital piece of information to have. “While you don’t want to go into the first minute of your interview by talking numbers, find the right time to address it — which is usually prompted by the interviewer,” McCaskill advises. “Be clear on what your expectations are based on your research: What is the typical salary range for this role? What salary do you need to survive and support your lifestyle? Having the answers to these questions is crucial.”
- Show interest in the company.
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Beyond just knowing a company’s history and structure, you want to make it clear that you share their passion for their mission, values, and accomplishments, too. “Show that you’ve taken a keen interest in this company and position. Come to the interview showing you’ve done your research, and sincerely want to know more about what it’s like working at this company,” McCaskill says. “This could mean coming with specific examples of past company work you’re interested in hearing more about, or asking questions about internal operations and the role you could play in them.”
- Consider yourself to be a personal salesman.
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During the dreaded phase of a job interview where you’re expected to “tell us about yourself” and what you can offer, McCaskill recommends acting as your own personal salesman, actively pitching all of your noteworthy traits to employers.
“Be ready to respond with specific examples of how you’ve excelled throughout your education and career. Talk about your top achievements, as well as the skills that have helped you accomplish such [a] thing,” says McCaskill. “Skills are key here: Employers want to know what unique skills you have, and how they can apply to this job. In fact, more than 40% of companies on LinkedIn globally rely on skills to search and identify job candidates.”
- Remember that life experiences can make up for a lack of work experience.
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Acquiring work experience can be a new process for many, as it may be your first attempt to find work outside of school. If you lack employment experience, don’t worry — your life experiences are just as valuable.
McCaskill suggests reflecting on former activities or hobbies that could translate to possible skills you could bring to employers. “For instance, if you ever worked at a restaurant, summer camp, or were a babysitter, you may have strong teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and management skills,” he says. “If you were a theater kid, you likely have a creative mind, which can be a major asset to a company. If you played sports, you’re no stranger to collaboration, learning, and active listening.”
McCaskill also recommends using LinkedIn’s Most In-Demand skills list to see which abilities are most likely to pique your prospective employer’s attention. “Use those to stand out, because those skills will help differentiate you from other applicants who have different personal and professional experiences,” he says.
- Send a follow-up email to potential employers after the interview.
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Some people are hesitant to send an email to potential employers shortly after a job interview for fear of appearing aggressive, but the move might be more beneficial than you realize. McCaskill says brief, pleasant, and purposeful follow-up messages are preferable. Begin the email by thanking the interviewer or potential employer for their time and consideration. Then, write about something specific from the interview that jumped out to you.
McCaskill suggests examples like, “I appreciate you sharing more about the ways in which your company really supports work-life balance,” or, “I enjoyed learning more about the work this time is doing in the next fiscal year, and I’m excited about the impact I may be able to have in bringing this to the finish line.” Finally, to close the email, thank them again, ask if they require any additional information from you, and express that you want to stay in touch.
It’s probably unlikely that you’ll ever go into a job interview without nerves, but you’ll keep getting better with practice, and having these tips in mind can help lessen the pressure. Take a deep breath, remember to be your own cheerleader, and soon enough, you’ll be acing the interview and getting an offer for your first post-grad job.