Everyone used to be a fresh graduate. It's the starting point in your career. You have no experience but all you have is your certificate. Even some of you will agree with me that we don't really use what we learn in University or college but that's your ticket to find a job. But diploma and degree holders are everywhere now, so what makes you different from them? Here are some tips you need to have.
1. Interview is a learning process
Life is a continuous learning. It doesn't mean that once you finish your education in high school, college or university it's the end of your learning process. You still have to learn about your work once you're working. Don't be afraid. Go for interview. The first time you will be nervous and when you went to other interview you will feel better. Okay not necessary. You will still feel nervous but not as nervous as the first time. You will see different company has different style of interview. Some has written test, some has verbal only and some has both. You will gain confidence to talk and always smile.
2. Make sure you're early
This indicate that you're punctual. Employer wants their staff to be punctual to work. You might need to meet client if it's required in your job scope so don't let the bad attitude gives the client bad impression about your company. Going to work is totally different from going to class. It would be okay if you came late and skip the class but not for work. So show some good impression. If you're not familiar with the interview location, come one day earlier to check where the location is to avoid you from being late because you can't find the office.
3. Neat and appropriate attire.
Don't wear like what you wear when you go to class. Dress up and make you look professional. If you're applying for managerial area or any job that required you to look neat, wear a blazer and tie. No jeans. Remember, first impression is really important. It's not that you only need to dress up when you go for a date but also for interview but please no over make up that you will end up looking like a clown. Don't forget one more accessories, smile please.
4. Interest to the Job
Show your interest to the job that you apply. Ask questions about the job scope, the company but advisable avoid asking about salary. Perhaps you could ask during second interview or once they decide to choose you among all candidates. Yes, some company has a few levels of interview. I've been to third level interview but seems like someone is better than me.
5. Build confidence level
Learn about the job that you apply and the company business. If you're shy, go for a lot of interview and slowly you will build up your confidence. Don't get frustrated when the interview doesn't goes well but learn all the things that you don't know during the interview. It will be useful for the next interview. If you show your confidence during the interview, the interviewer will be interested to hire you. After several interview, I'm able to build up confidence while attending interview that make the interviewer impress and interested to hire me.
6. Show them you're willing to learn
Don't just write in your resume "willing to learn" when you're actually don't. Employer usually prefer someone with experience but if you show them your willingness to learn, they might give you a chance and hire you. Study some of the basic skill that required for your job so you can answer them during the interview.
7. Bring pen (and calculator - optional)
Depends on what kind of job that you apply. Some jobs such as designer or programmer, they will be interested to see your works. Maybe your final project or from your intern-ship. Even if you don't have writing test, you will need to fill up some form. So in case you have calculation test, you already have a calculator with you.
8. Join Intern-ship or Jobless Graduated Program
If you're not lucky in finding a permanent job, try contract, intern-ship or Jobless Graduated Program. There's a lot of option out there and it's up to you to join or just sit around. One of the famous program is Management Trainee. I used to go for an interview for Borders and also Jusco. You will start from below and slowly crawl to the top because your in the management program.
Don't just sit around and whining bout you not getting a job. Before I get my permanent job, I used to work as a retail associate. That's the fancy word that equal to salesgirl. In my interview, they asked me what do I get from a work that's not related to what I studied. My answer is, "It build up confidence, improve my soft skill (interaction with customer) and gain me experience." Just some tips to share with you based on my experience. Maybe some of these tips could help you.