6 Job Interview Tips For Fresh Graduates In Kenya
By Jane Okoth
Know how the important interview tips as a fresh graduate in Kenya
The main purpose of a job interview is for employers to find out whether you posses all the right skills and qualifications needed for the job. Still, how you present yourself will determine whether you still have a chance to secure a job offer.
So how do you ensure that your interview goes well as a fresh graduate considering this could be your first interview ever?
If you are a fresh graduate and wondering where to start, follow these tips for your next big day.
Interview Tips For Fresh Graduates In Kenya
1. Research About the company well
The best way to ace an interview is to be prepared by conducting a thorough research on your prospective employer. Being heads up with information will make it easier for you to ask a few interview questions as well as find out if the company’s culture and policy fits your expectations.
First, you need to know that the selection process for graduates differ in most companies. For this reason, you need to know the manner in which your prospective employer will be conducting their interviews so as not to be caught off guard.
Will you be subjected to an aptitude test first before the oral interview or are you likely to meet the panel? Having this information at your fingertips will help you to prepare on that day accordingly.
Use the internet to know more about the company. Who are the key players in the organization and how is the culture?
Also get to know more about the position you are interviewing for because it can help your interview a great deal. Dig out information on how much the company pays in any position. This will help you to respond to the salary question during the interview.
2. Arrive Early On The Day Of The Interview
Coming late to an interview is one way of showing the interviewer you can barely handle your time management skills and are disorganized. Always arrive at least 30-45 minutes earlier so as to have time to prepare and compose yourself. If you are not sure about the location of the interview, call earlier so as to know more about the place. You don’t want the interviewer to scold you on the first day of the interview or appear disinterested in the job.
3. Don’t Forget To Bring Your CV And Other Testimonials
No matter how many times you sent your CV and testimonials, don’t assume the interviewer has them and come to the interview without essential documents. This is the only chance when you are asked to provide it and risking is not an option. It gives the interviewer enough room to decide on your suitability.
“A fully updated CV should be in the list because it signifies that you are up to date with your career,” says Ruth Mesude, an Account Manager at Perion. She also recommends bringing a pen, a spare pen and a notepad to write on.
Also, you should carry your testimonials because different interviewers ask for different information. For instance, one interviewer may want to know how you performed in college while the other one will want to know your behavior in primary school and then judge you based on that. Since you don’t have much work experience, any award certificates or references will go a long way.
4. Ask Questions During The Interview
Ms Mesude advises that one should ask questions during the interview to learn more about the organization and role you are interviewing for. “As much as you are being interviewed to gauge your fit, you also want to learn more about the organization and your career prospects and growth” she says.
5. Dress Professionally During The Interview
Even the most qualified of candidates can fail to get the job simply because of the way he or she is dressed. You only get to give one impression as far as image and presentation is concerned. Your grooming creates an image of your personality.
Regardless of the type of position you are interviewing for, dress professionally so as to be on the safe side. You never know what the company’s culture on dressing is.
6. Your Phone Should Be Off During The Interview
Off means off and not on vibration mode,” says Wanjiru Chabeda, a senior Account Manager at Corporate Staffing Services. “I actually had a candidate who had the audacity to answer a call during an interview. He asked me to excuse him because he needed to take that call,” she reveals.
An interview is not going to take the whole day so whoever it is that is calling can wait for at least 20 minutes. Besides, answering a phone call during the interview is a sign of rudeness.
Having a successful interview will get you closer to the job. The job market is very competitive so make your first interview a success.
