So, you just graduated from university and have an upcoming first interview for an exciting job opportunity? Congratulations! You have successfully progressed one step further in your job search. Job interviews can be stressful for anyone, especially for recent graduates looking for their first big break. Getting your first graduate job can be difficult in today's competitive job market. It is even more difficult when you don't know what steps to take or which mistakes to avoid.

Take note of some of the common interview mistakes to avoid before going to your job interview. You will do well in the interview if you can steer clear of these mistakes. The following are five interview mistakes fresh graduates should avoid:

One of the most basic and essential steps of an interview is researching the company and job you are interviewing for. However, many jobseekers continue to skip this crucial step. To prepare, take your time to review and examine the company and job description. 

Research the critical information about the company such as the background, goals, and the services and products they provide. All these details should be available in their "About Us" section. 

In addition to that, ensure that you examine the job description for the job you are interviewing for. Failure to do so will result in confusion about the job and its responsibilities. Ensure that you complete the following steps before going to the interview: 

• Examine the job descriptions to understand the employer's expectations
• Identify the job responsibilities and the skill sets needed for the job
• Tailor your resume and answers according to the job description.

Being well-informed about the role and the company will enable you to respond with confidence, which will set you apart from the other candidates.

An interview is a professional process; you must dress appropriately and professionally. Avoid dressing informally, such as wearing t-shirts, shorts, and sandals. Typically, in the interview invitation, the company will inform you of the dress code for the interview. If they did not mention this in the invite, take the initiative to ask the interviewer regarding the dress code – (formal or business casual).  

Look at the following examples of how to dress according to each category: 

Formal: 

• A formal suit paired with a plain-coloured tie
• A knee-length skirt or long pants with a matching jacket
• Slacks, button-down shirt or blouse and jacket
• Polished closed-toed shoes, flats, or heels     

Business Casual: 

• Slacks, khakis, or knee-length skirts
• Button-down shirts, blouses, or polo shirts
• Jackets, blazers or cardigans 
• Closed-toed shoes, flats, heels, or sneakers 

Remember, make sure your hair and facial hair are trimmed, and your clothes are properly cleaned and ironed! Better be safe and dress to impress than sorry! ​​​​​​​

Did you know employers can form their first impressions of you before you arrive? How so? If you arrive late for the interview! Being late for an interview indicates that you lack time management skills. Plan your journey diligently to prevent this mistake. Consider the route to the interview location, the time it takes to arrive, and heading out early. Similarly, arriving too early can be inconvenient if the interviewer is not set to meet you or is in the middle of something else. Arrive at least 10 minutes before the interview is scheduled to start. This should give you enough time to relax and take a breather before the interview.

As the interview draws to a close, the interviewers will open the floor for your questions. You want to avoid being caught off guard and unprepared at this point in the interview. Make a list of insightful questions for the interviewer. You can inquire about the company, the position, the hiring procedure, or the interviewer's experience. Be careful to refrain from asking about something that you have discussed during the interview, as this may indicate to the interviewer that you did not pay complete attention during the interview.

 Example questions to ask the interviewer: 

• What are the most important things I should strive for in my first 90 days in the position?
• Can you tell me more about the team I will be collaborating with?
• What are the company's goals for the next five years?
•  What metrics do you employ to evaluate my performance?
• What are the next steps in the hiring process?

Before you leave the interview, ask the interviewer what the next steps of the hiring process are. After that, take the time to send a thank you email to thank the interviewer for their time during the interview within 1 to 2 days. Reiterate your interest in the job and company in the thank you email. After that, follow up again with them regarding your interview status. Doing so can show your commitment and excitement for the job and increase your chances of getting an offer. 

An interview can be a stressful and nerve-racking experience, especially for fresh graduates like you. Knowing the most common interview mistakes will help you breeze through the interview and land the job of your dreams!

Need more interview tips? Checkout our previous articles here:

Interview preparation - Jobs Lah's Step-by-Step Guide

How to Answer the Question What are Your Salary Expectations?

How To Answer the Question - Why Should We Hire You?