Landing your first job interview as a fresh graduate can feel like winning the lottery. But then reality hits—you're sitting across from someone asking about your "extensive experience" when your resume mostly features group projects and that one internship where you made coffee.

You don’t really wish to be like this man in his first interview, do you? 

Here's the thing: most interview advice online is generic fluff that doesn't address the specific challenges new graduates face. Let's fix that.

1. Research like a detective, not a tourist 

Everyone keeps saying “research the company”; however, it is more than just reading the “About Us” page of the website. What they didn’t tell you is how to do it right. 

Instead of just skimming the company’s website, you can: 

• Dig into recent news, press releases, and social media updates: this is where you can learn to understand the company’s current challenges and achievements, their competitors, and market positions to show strategic thinking during your interview. 
• Read the job description carefully: you can identify key skills and responsibilities to emphasize, allowing you to craft impactful examples that demonstrate your capabilities. 
• Look up your interviewer on LinkedIn (but don’t be creepy about it): If you know your interviewer’s name, check their LinkedIn profile to find common ground or shared interests. This can make the conversation go smoothly and more natural, and memorable. 
• Dig into employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor: It’s good to have a clearer view of what the company looks like. However, take those reviews with a grain of salt. Look for patterns in feedback rather than individual complaints. 
• Follow the company’s social media accounts/blog posts: Many companies share valuable insights about their culture, values, and current projects through these channels. 

When you are well-prepared, during the interview, remember to strike a natural conversation and give out the vibe that you have researched the company well by referencing their recent posts on social media platforms. 

For example, “I noticed your recent post about expanding into Southeast Asian markets, that must be exciting given the 40% growth in digital adoption there.”

2. Perfect your 30-second pitch with professionalism

The first question comes, and you start to feel nervous. “Tell me about yourself”. How to give the recruiters an impression. 

Most students ramble or stumble at this question, which might make them slightly less impressive than other candidates, or worse, hurt their chances. After all, there’s a reason why they view “Introduce yourself” like an elevator pitch. 

So, how to ace this part within 30 seconds? Your pitch should be engaging, concise, and answer all these questions briefly: 

• Who are you, and who do you help? 
• Why are you passionate about what you do? 
• What makes you stand out from other candidates? 
• How does the current opportunity relate to your goals and aspirations? 

But hold on, you are just a fresher with little experience and have not figured out much about your future career path. Here’s another structure that works: 

1. Past: What did you study, what education or certification do you possess, and what past experiences led you here? When discussing your past experiences, make sure to clearly link them to the role and company you're applying for.
2. Present: What are you doing now? What accomplishment are you most proud of? Focus on your most recent and relevant experiences, whether from jobs, volunteering, or internships, that align with the company and position you're applying for.
3. Future: Why are you excited about the role? Remember to be specific about why you’re drawn to this company, and express your enthusiasm. 

Sample: “I recently graduated with a degree in Marketing, where I discovered my passion for data-driven campaigns through an internship where I increased social media engagement by 150%. I'm excited about this role because it combines my analytical skills with creative strategy, and I'm particularly drawn to how your team uses customer insights to drive campaign decisions.”

Still, keep in mind that your self-introduction should be tailored; don’t speak as if you are a robot on a record. Some common mistakes that most freshers often fall for:  

• Use filler words like “um” or “so”
• Mention weaknesses in your introduction 
• Speak too fast due to nerves 

Keep yourself relaxed, a big winning grin, and address what you have achieved so far with confidence. 

3. Prepare questions and answers that show you think like an employee, not a student 

Prepare thoughtful responses to common & tricky questions

Interviewers often ask curveballs like “What’s your biggest weakness?” or “Why should we hire you?” Don’t let them throw you off balance, because with advance preparation, you can handle them easily. 

Be honest, but don’t be too honest. Honesty with strategy is the best. 

After all, these tricky questions are what the employers want to test you on, including your cognitive ability, communication skills, how well you prepare for the interview, and so on. 

For weaknesses, pick a real flaw, but show how you're improving it. For instance, “I used to struggle with public speaking, so I joined a local Toastmasters club and have become much more confident.”

With “Why hire you?”. This is your prime opportunity to pitch your value. Instead of simply stating generic qualities like "I work hard," demonstrate how your specific skills, energy, and past experiences directly meet the company's needs.

Some questions to prepare:

• “Why do you want to work here?” Don’t give them a generic answer. Interviewers are already bored with that. This is where you should reference specific company values, recent news, or aspects of their culture that genuinely appeal to you. 
• “How do you handle tight deadlines?” Employers want to know if you can handle pressure, stay focused, and remain productive when things get tough. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully managed stress and delivered results, highlighting your strategies for prioritizing, staying organized, and maintaining a positive attitude.
• “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” What they mean when asking this question is to know if you are going to be in this job long-term. After all, as a fresh graduate, it’s okay to acknowledge you’re still learning about career paths. Your answer needs to focus on your ambition, learning, and skills you wish to develop in the position you are applying for.   
• “What is your expected salary range?”: They said that most graduates handle this question as stressful as their breakups. When employers ask about salary, they're checking if your expectations fit their budget and your experience. So, research industry standards, then give a salary range based on your skills, showing you're open to discussing details and negotiating

Here is an interview tip for success: to stand out in an interview, master these common questions by aligning your skills, experiences, and interests with the company’s requirements. 

You can unlock this targeted goal by using AI to perfect your answer, such as jobtify.ai and its Question Bank with various questions ranging from common to technical.

Strategic questions to ask employers 

When the interviewers ask you, “Do you have any questions for us?”, forget “What’s the company’s culture like?”, and prepare thoughtful questions to show them your critical thinking and investment in this position. Some strategic questions you can prepare, such as: 

• Role-specific questions: "What would success look like in this role after 6 months?" or "What's the biggest challenge someone in this position typically faces?" These questions show you're already thinking about performance and contribution.
• Growth and learning: Some questions you might consider in related to this category are, “What opportunities are there for professional development?” or “How do you typically help new graduates transition into full-time professionals?” will illustrate you as an individual focusing on self-development and your choice of company will reflect your way of thinking this company can be a good foundation for your growth. 
• Company direction: Preparing questions that show your genuine interest in the company’s development and your excitement, as well as your readiness, will leave quite an impression on the hiring team. “What exciting projects is the team working on that I could potentially contribute to?” 

4. Be specific in your answer by using the STAR method. 

One interesting research has pointed out that 73% of HR professionals use behavioral interviews to evaluate candidates, making it more challenging for freshers to nail this part. 

To better explain what a behavioral interview is, they are non-technical, focusing mostly on you and how capable you are in handling real-life problems. 

Tip to ace this part? The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is your secret weapon for delivering compelling, structured responses that demonstrate your capabilities even with limited professional experience.

Let’s break down the formula: 

• Situation (20%): Briefly set the scene so your interviewer gets the gist. No need for every tiny detail!
• Task (10%): What was your mission or the goal you were responsible for?
• Action (60%): This is your spotlight! Describe the specific steps you personally took, highlighting your skills and strengths.
• Result (10%): Wrap it up with the positive outcomes, ideally with quantifiable results. Bonus points for sharing what you learned or your key takeaways!

How to apply the STAR method for common fresh graduates? The STAR method can be used for different scenarios and questions in an interview: 

• Academic Projects: What if the only thing you have on your resume is your college projects? Don’t worry, because you can transform them into realistic skills. A research paper can be read as “data analysis and strategic thinking”.  
• Internship Experiences: Even short internships provide STAR material. Focus on specific tasks you owned, problems you solved, or improvements you made.
• Part-time Jobs: Customer service roles, retail positions, and campus jobs all provide examples of teamwork, problem-solving, and responsibility.
• Volunteer Work: Non-profit experiences often involve project management, stakeholder coordination, and resource optimization—all valuable professional skills.
• Extracurricular Activities: Leadership roles in clubs, organizing events, or coordinating teams demonstrate management and organizational capabilities.

However, there are mistakes that people tend to make when using STAR: 

• Making the situation too complex or lengthy. This will stray away from the main point of the interview question
• Focusing too much on the team’s actions instead of your specific contributions
• Exaggerate results. The employers can tell that easily. 
• Forget to mention what you learned after that 

5. Practice makes perfect with a mock interview 

One of the biggest mistakes is that most fresh graduates either skip practice entirely or do it wrong. How to know if your interview practice session is working or not? This is where a mock interview comes into use. 

• Build confidence: Practicing actually helps you reduce anxiety and nervousness, making you more comfortable during the actual interview. 
• Refine your answer: It’s one thing to know your answers in your head, but to articulate them well is another thing. A mock interview will help you get familiar with common questions. 
• Learn and improve from constructive feedback: From the mock interview, you can see areas for improvement in your communication style, content, or confidence that you might notice yourself. 

These are the ways to make the most of your mock interview: 

• Record & Review: Film yourself to catch verbal fillers and nervous habits, ensuring natural enthusiasm, good eye contact, and posture. Listen to audio recordings to refine your speaking pace and content.
• Build Your Question Bank: Create a targeted list of interview questions that are specific to your industry and role. Practice adapting your answers and seamlessly transitioning topics.
• Seek & Apply Feedback: After each session, get specific input on your delivery and content. Use this feedback to refine your approach, ensuring you present your most authentic and compelling self.

6. Lack of experience? No worry, turn it into your secret weapon 

Stop apologizing for being a fresh graduate or having limited experience. That mindset's a total miss! Instead of kicking off with, "I don't have much experience, but...", try this: "As someone new to the industry, I bring fresh perspectives and I'm eager to learn your specific processes."

It's all about the reframe technique:

• When asked about experience you lack, pivot to transferable skills. For instance: "While I haven't managed a team professionally, I coordinated a 15-person university project where I learned to delegate tasks and resolve conflicts—skills I'm excited to apply in a professional setting."
• Fact: Did you know 73% of hiring managers and 72% of employees actually value potential over experience for entry-level roles? Use this to your advantage!

Plus, you've got an adaptability advantage. The job market is always shifting, and as a recent grad, you're likely super comfortable with new tech and ways of doing things. While others might resist change, you see it as normal. 

Highlight this: "Having grown up during rapid technological change, I'm comfortable with ambiguity and excited by opportunities to learn new systems. I see change as an opportunity for growth rather than a challenge to overcome.

7. Sometimes, rejection is redirection 

Job rejection hits differently when you're a fresh graduate because each "no" feels like validation that you're not ready for the professional world. 

But here's what successful graduates understand that struggling ones don't: rejection is often redirection toward better opportunities, and how you handle "no" determines whether it becomes a dead end or a detour toward success.

Immediate response to rejection:

• Thank them for the opportunity
• Ask for specific feedback
• Express interest in future opportunities
• Request to connect on LinkedIn

Example response: "Thank you for letting me know. While I'm disappointed, I'd appreciate any feedback on how I can strengthen my candidacy for similar roles. I remain very interested in [Company] and would love to stay connected for future opportunities."

Every interview provides valuable data about your performance, market expectations, and areas for improvement. 

After each rejection, conduct an honest self-assessment: 

• What questions caught you off guard?
•  Where did you feel less confident? 
• What feedback did you receive? 

Use this information to improve your preparation for future interviews.

Sometimes rejection saves you from a poor fit. That role you didn't get might have been wrong for your career goals, company culture, or growth potential. 

Trust that better-aligned opportunities are ahead. Many professionals look back and realize that their "dream job" rejections led them to even better positions.

The job search process for fresh graduates nowadays is undoubtedly challenging, but it’s also full of opportunities for those who know ways to approach it well. Your lack of experience isn’t a barrier – it’s a different type of value that you can offer on the table. 

What you need is the right positioning and approach to the situation.