New Grad Interview Mistakes

Are you a new grad having difficulty finding work? You're not alone. There are a lot of people in the same shoes that you are right now. The job market hasn't been great and last year saw layoffs and company closings which flooded the market with more experienced candidates. This means it's even more important that you avoid the costly mistakes that many make which prevent them from getting that offer for their first post-collegiate career.

A recent article on Intelligent recently polled hiring managers on the subject of hiring new grads and the results were a bit shocking. Let's take a look at some of the results:

• 53% of employers polled said that new grads who interviewed for jobs with them this past year had trouble maintaining eye contact. Fortunately, this is a coachable skill. Poise and confidence are important factors in job interviews. If you have trouble maintaining eye contact, start by practicing in the mirror looking yourself in the eyes as you answer some interview questions you find online. Then ask a friend or parent to roleplay an interview with you and ask them to focus on how often you look away or fail to maintain eye contact. You want to give off a sense of being self-assured. This is an absolute must.
• 50% of employers said that new grads asked for unreasonable compensation. It can be hard to figure out what your value is in the best of markets. In a job market flooded with experienced candidates, it's much more difficult. Many new grads look up the salary for the position they are interviewing for and see the range and the average and assume their education will put them on the high side of that average. That's not always accurate. Look: It's important to know your value and worth to a company and you never want to underestimate your abilities. However, if there are candidates on the job market who possess the same education that you do and add a year of experience to that it does make sense that they might command higher compensation than you will. Think of your first job as a final year of school. It's a chance to get the experience that will allow you get the pay you seek. If you get hired by a smart company, they'll see your value and reward you. If not, after a year of employment, put that experience to work for you in a new search that should net you a better long-term salary.
• 47% of employers said that candidates were underdressed for their interview. This stat is disappointing. There isn't a single online resource on interviewing that doesn't mention the importance of dressing for success for your interview. If you're seeking a job in a professional setting, whether the interview is on-site or virtual, the smart candidate will dress professionally. Even if the job has a business casual dress code when you dress business formal for your interview you are sending your interviewer a message that you are taking the interview seriously.
• 27% of new grads interviewing have used unprofessional language. Look. No one is saying that curse words aren't used in a professional environment but that's not the kind of language you want to showcase in a job interview. You are being given a chance to demonstrate your professionalism in this interview and just like with the way you dress, your language choices should be the most professional you can show.
• 21% refused to turn their camera on for virtual interviews. There's no excuse for this one. However, I suspect there is a reason. Don't schedule an interview unless you can do the interview from someplace private and quiet where you won't be interrupted. Your car is not a good choice for where you do your interview. Virtual interviews are primarily about making things easier but not too easy. It shouldn't mean you don't take it seriously. Too often I've seen people from their car, from a break room at their current job, or from a home that is too messy and embarrassing to show on camera. Virtual interviews are meant to be convenient but you are also being judged. Everything the interviewer can see is being judged. So, schedule interviews for when you know you'll be home and clean your home so that everything that can be seen is neat, orderly and professional.
• 19% brought a parent to the interview. Let's think about that for a second. Two in Ten new grads are bringing mommy or daddy with them on interviews. You are immediately unhirable if you show up to an interview with a parent. You are communicating to the employer that you can't do this job on your own. If you can't get through the interview without outside help there will be another candidate who doesn't and the decision about which to hire is an easy one. Leave mom and dad at home. Same thing for virual interviews. If you have a "coach" offscreen the interviewer is going to notice your eyes and attention wander and it'll hurt you more than it can possibly help you.

In closing, the art of hiring is ever-evolving and it's encouraging to see so many applicants who feel empowered to change outdated concepts of work. However, the changes are happening very slowly. The progressive company that appreciates you showing up to an interview in flip flops and a hoodie isn't typical. The gatekeepers are often slow to change and you'll have a much better chance of changing culture from the inside than you will by making a stand during an interview. These things are important to the gatekeepers and frankly, without adhering to their standards you probably won't be getting the job.

These items are bare-minimum actions for interviews. None of these mistakes should ever be made. As your career progresses you'll be in a position to be choosy about what jobs you take and the nature of your interview will change. With some exceptions where new grads with particular skill sets are highly sought and recruited by companies right out of school, you probably have the least amount of leverage in a job-seeking situation that you'll ever have. You probably have student debt you need to work off. So, view this first job as the final part of your education. Do what is necessary to get the job and the experience that will give you greater leverage as you seek out your second job. Don't make these mistakes. Any one of them is a killer. If you dream of a different world where interviewing is different, you'll have to get inside to make the change you want to see.

And just don't bring your parents to job interviews. Ever.