With graduates walking across the stage this month and heading out into the workforce, interviews will inevitably be the talk of the town for a while. While many individuals meeting with recruiters have no experience showcasing their best qualities and skills, it’s important to note that they’ll be going against seasoned veterans. With the changing of the seasons comes a desire for many to seek new work opportunities, meaning the job market is highly competitive right now! The following three tips may pique your interest if you want to make an impression and stand out.
As a growing company, our recruiting team at Cape Reserve regularly meets with qualified candidates. We interview often and, over the years, have mastered the art of deciding who would be a strong fit with our company and whose assets would be better served elsewhere. Before heading into your first interview, take our recruiter’s advice and check off each of these!
Research And Prepare
While recruiters know that you’re interviewing at various companies, they don’t want to feel like just another number. When you walk into a business, you should know a thing or two about them. Examples would be their mission statement, who sits amongst their leadership team, their company values, and even some of their recent accomplishments. Conducting thorough research shows your dedication and interest in the business and the position.
Being knowledgeable about the company sets you up for a successful interview. You can now use the information you gathered to ask thoughtful questions and tailor your responses to align with the company’s goals.
Demonstrate Enthusiasm And Passion
As a recent graduate, we’re sure you feel highly confident in your abilities. However, we suggest you reign in your ego and let your passion for your industry shine! Your competition will also be knowledgeable and capable of excelling. What will elevate your standing is your attitude and enthusiasm about doing what you love.
At Cape Reserve, we are intrigued by candidates who are naturally comfortable speaking with others, are addicted to learning, and aren’t afraid to seek new ways to improve. So when someone walks into our office beaming excitedly to talk about their best qualities and how they believe they could be an asset to our company, we take note!
Share Success Stories
The one thing some of your fellow candidates have that you don’t have is experience in the workforce. However, that doesn’t mean you have nothing to brag about. A success story can be anything from writing an article that made the front page of your school’s newspaper to raising money for a good cause. Recruiters want more out of their employees than someone who can push paper. They want someone who sets a goal and has a reputation for succeeding, so showcase moments in your life when you did just that!
We suggest using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. Describe a specific situation or challenge you faced, the actions you took, and the positive outcomes you achieved.
Graduates, you’ve reached an impressive milestone, and we hope you’re proud of your hard work! Take a moment to bask in the joy of this achievement, and then start taking on your next chapter at the top of your game. To work with the best, you have to prepare ahead of time. We hope these tips allow you to gain confidence in your interview abilities and help you land the position of your dreams!
To speak with our Cape Reserve recruiting team about our open positions, email your resume to hr@capereserve.com.
