By: Emma Norman

College graduation is finally over, and you are about to enter the once-a-fantasy-world you have always dreamed, your first workplace, not to mention bombarding a number of job hunting websites, LinkedIn, industry job boards, or other mediums to land you the first ever job.
But let’s not forget you are yet to pass the interview phase. Remember, an interview after the graduation is quite different as compared to the interviews you have given for on-campus jobs or internships. This is a full-time employment, and not a part-time job for only a couple of month’s service. This is the job that will mark your first genuine employment on your resume, and will most likely set the tone of your professional experience for years to come.
As for this blog post we are going to discuss some common, yet major mistakes that young graduates tend to make in their first job interviews.


1. Replying, and not listening to what the interviewer says
At the start of an interview, some interviewers follow the strategy of throwing a 2-minute speech regarding the company profile and other introductory information before providing you the chance to respond. This is the chance you need to capture, take notes and focus on every word they say. In order to show affirmation to the interviewer, some candidates like to respond to everything he/she says. However, this can also make the interviewer feel that you aren’t really listening, rather you just like the sound of your own voice. Also, there is a high chance that by repeated commenting you might miss something crucial the interviewer has just stated.
It’s better to listen closely to everything the interviewer has to say, you can respond if the professional ask you a question or when there is a natural or prolonged pause in the conversation.

2. Failing to remember the job description
The fact doesn’t require further emphasis due to its already high significance, you need to be thoroughly prepared with all the facts of the company’s nature of business, product portfolio, and other vital information drilled in your mind before entering the interview room door. Further, the details of the job description should also be used to explain your qualifications. On the other hand, forgetting to memorize your job description is a one-stop nightmare which gives the impression of unprofessionalism and incompetency. One of the most important questions the interviewer will inquire you with will be how your past job relates to this job. Both you and the HR professional in the room wants your case to grow stronger, but only if you have a clear idea what the company is looking for. This is how you will be able to justify your point on how you can be the best man for the job.
Try to memorize the pointers of your job description that consumed most of your workday and you can communicate in the best manner possible.

3. Interested in the company, benefits, less in the role
Undoubtedly, it is your first job interview, you’re highly excited and nervous at the same time. But most of the time this excitement is nothing but a mere ‘excitement’, and not for the job. Explaining how well you are informed taking the company details is fine, but the real defining factor is how well you are going to perform the job applied for, rather than getting enticed by the free lunch coupons, a month of annual leaves, education allowance, etc.
You can always go with something like, “I am well-aware that ABC has a great culture, besides that I am more intended to perform my XYZ job responsibilities way better than everyone else and contribute through effective ways for enhancing the overall efficiency of the team”. And now is the time to insist your case in a tempting manner.

4. Depending on college accomplishments
This is one serious mistake especially recent graduates need to stay vigilant from. The HR personnel sitting in front of you may have graduated years before you have, and are definitely not interested nor impressed in your extra-curricular activities, A+ grades in the electives, or other college routine tasks. Rather than talk will be more oriented towards real-world problems and decision making scenarios. It’s better to embrace the reality: college things are days of the past. Keep your focus on the instances that reflect the post-graduation time as that’s the realm your potential employer is residing in.
A better choice would be, “Although I earned a nice 3.7 GPA, but I am well-aware that it isn’t the metric used to grade me in this role. However, maintaining the same commitment and dedication is what I have to show you here as well”.

5. Negativity
It’s simple, what experiences you had at any past employer, never talk ill regarding them anywhere else. Agreeably the interviewer will ask you the reason for applying for a new job, while it doesn’t mean you start playing the blame game and pour out displeasures at your past workplace, but explain the reason why this role is perfect for you. Presenting a bad image of the past employer will force the interviewer to think you are just asking for a way out. Furthermore, they might also begin to doubt you regarding the things you have written in your current job descriptions and skills. The tip may look more suited for established professionals, but the same consideration applies for recent college graduates as well.
Even if you have experienced some real injustice or mistreatment at the hands of a bad manager, it’s time to leave the things as-is and focus on your new employment opportunity.

source: http://www.jarushub.com/5-major-mistakes-graduates-make-in-their-first-job-interviews/

grad kee grad nii.. Go hustle mehn..

Very helpful I must say.. However, I want to give a bit of advice to our awesome graduates who still have a fresh spirit within. When working in that company or firm, always think about working on your financial statement. Don't just go and get a girl pregnant and put yourself in the family way, this is the easiest way to remain poor for life unless your paycheck is in millions already.

Save money from your paycheck and look for goldmines to invest in.. There are lots of assets that can spring forth thousands monthly.. Believe me, it will compliment your salary and as time goes.. Will become a money spring.. Work, Save and invest.

Doing this will get you off the grasp of financial crisis.. It will get to a time where you will even have to quit your job and focus on your assets, even start up your own business..

Home Of Entrepreneurs
Visit www.entmirror.com

OK

good tips

If the job is urs
It is urs

If u like go and master the 48 laws of power that won't guarantee you a job in Niaja

somebody better tell etisalat nobody will call them 9mobile, they better ask nepa.

I hate school mehn.
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Photographers only, see how demonic photography is. Don't say I didn't warn you o.
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Not targeted at Nigerians oga Op...

No comment!

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believe me...a job offer that is yours is yours,it doesn't matter how many mistakes you made during the interview

wire wire is the surest thing now
Nobody has time for these...bring up topics like 5 mistakes g boys make when they first meet their maga....walahi you go sell

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Your number 5 sucks

You topic says it's a first job interview and you later said 'negativity' like reasons you left your previous job . Which previous job is that?

nice, praying for a good job after service

Read: How Should I Prepare For My First Interview? 38 Tips

We'll take note

Very Educative

Cool

Tip #6: The interviewee must ask at least 2-3 questions during the interview. Asking relevant questions shows that you are enthusiastic for the job. If you, as the job seeker, is only interested in answering questions, the interviewer could interpret that as you not being really interested in the job.
However, do not ask questions about your potential salary and/or vacation time. Those sort of questions would portray you as someone only interested in the pay (of course that's all what we want ) and not willing to put in the hours for work.

aragon4realz:
believe me...a job offer that is yours is yours,it doesn't matter how many mistakes you made during the interview

I don't believe this, if you make many mistakes the chances of you getting the job will be greatly reduced and it thus shows you not prepared for the interview

Ok

aragon4realz:
believe me...a job offer that is yours is yours,it doesn't matter how many mistakes you made during the interview

Depends on how urgently they need to fill the post