Graduation Season Is Here! Interview Tips for Job Seekers

As university graduation season approaches, new graduates are actively preparing to enter the workforce. One indispensable part of landing a job is the interview. No matter how many times people prepare, many become nervous from a fear of public speaking when they actually face the interviewers. Here are some tips to help them prepare and perform well in job interviews.

The first thing to research is the company you have applied to. One question interviewers commonly ask is, “Why did you apply to this company?” Being able to answer immediately with a well-prepared response gives you a significant advantage. If you cannot, it merely shows that you did not research the company thoroughly before the interview.

Once you know what kind of company you have applied to, what it does and how to answer questions about it sufficiently, the next step is to prepare your self-introduction for the interview. This is your chance to introduce who you are and emphasize your strong interest in the company. It is even better if you can also discuss the company’s history or projects currently underway to some extent.

You also need to discuss the position you applied for and its duties. If you know little about the position or it is unfamiliar to you, make sure you fully understand the job description and qualifications provided by the company. It is also advisable to connect the position with your ultimate career goals and ambitions.

Discussing past experiences that you consider valuable and relevant to the job can capture the interviewers’ interest. It can help to share a variety of experiences that demonstrate your diligence, work ethic and talents, such as part-time jobs or internships during university, volunteer work or particularly interesting hobbies.

When discussing an internship or part-time job, describing the difficulties and problems you encountered and explaining how you overcame and resolved them can earn you high marks for problem-solving. It can also help showcase your boundless potential. Use positive past experiences related to the position as a way to convey your competencies, skills, abilities and sincerity.

Finally, it is best to anticipate and prepare for unexpected questions. Interviewers sometimes ask surprising questions to test an applicant’s creativity, originality or ability to think quickly. Responding promptly and cleverly without stalling can greatly help you be recognized as the right person for the job. Speak with clear and precise pronunciation when answering. If you find this difficult, receiving pronunciation coaching in advance may help. You should also remain composed and respond calmly rather than showing nervousness or anxiety.

[FamTimes = Reporter Kim Jae-young]