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I’M A STEM GRADUATE FIRST INTERVIEW,

WHAT NOW?

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FIRST OF ALL – CONGRATULATIONS!You’ve got through the CV process and landed yourself an interview. Don’t rest yet, now is where the real work begins – you need to prove you’re the ideal candidate. The initial interview is a great opportunity to show your potential employer how you could benefit their business and all the great skills you have to offer.Interviews sound scary (and we won’t lie, they can be!) But here is our best advice to make sure you breeze your way through the interview and into your career:

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You need to thoroughly understand the company you’re applying to, it sends a great message and means that when the discussion moves onto why you are the ideal candidate you’ll be able to give a great answer!

DO YOUR RESEARCH!

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You need to thoroughly understand the company you’re applying to, it sends a great message and means that when the discussion moves onto why you are the ideal candidate you’ll be able to give a great answer!• What do they do?

DO YOUR RESEARCH!

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You need to thoroughly understand the company you’re applying to, it sends a great message and means that when the discussion moves onto why you are the ideal candidate you’ll be able to give a great answer!• What do they do? • What industry are they in?

DO YOUR RESEARCH!

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You need to thoroughly understand the company you’re applying to, it sends a great message and means that when the discussion moves onto why you are the ideal candidate you’ll be able to give a great answer!• What do they do? • What industry are they in? • What is their status within that industry?

DO YOUR RESEARCH!

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You need to thoroughly understand the company you’re applying to, it sends a great message and means that when the discussion moves onto why you are the ideal candidate you’ll be able to give a great answer!• What do they do? • What industry are they in? • What is their status within that industry? • What news articles have they

recently released or have they been mentioned in?

DO YOUR RESEARCH!

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You need to thoroughly understand the company you’re applying to, it sends a great message and means that when the discussion moves onto why you are the ideal candidate you’ll be able to give a great answer!• What do they do? • What industry are they in? • What is their status within that industry? • What news articles have they

recently released or have they been mentioned in?

Don’t forget to take a look at all of their social media platforms too!

DO YOUR RESEARCH!

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An employer wants to know why you want this job rather than just any job.

WHY DO YOU WANT THE JOB?

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An employer wants to know why you want this job rather than just any job.• Why you should be offered the

job over anyone else?

WHY DO YOU WANT THE JOB?

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An employer wants to know why you want this job rather than just any job.• Why you should be offered the

job over anyone else?• What benefits you will bring to

the company if they employ you?

WHY DO YOU WANT THE JOB?

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An employer wants to know why you want this job rather than just any job.• Why you should be offered the

job over anyone else?• What benefits you will bring to

the company if they employ you? Have a think about what answers you would give for each of these questions in preparation for the interview.

WHY DO YOU WANT THE JOB?

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Approach each section of the job requirement with a summary of how you can specifically fulfil that role.All of your experience can be transferable, use every

opportunity to promote yourself and your skills!

LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE JOB DESCRIPTION

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You will usually be informed of whether or not you are required to provide this information. If you are not sure, speak to one of our specialist IQ Analytics consultants who will let you know what the interviewer requires and how to best present yourself.Having said that, if in doubt, its best to bring one anyway – it’s better to have and not need than need and not have!

DO YOU NEED TO TAKE A PORTFOLIO OF WORK OR ANY CERTIFICATIONS WITH YOU?

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By doing this you will find out more information about the role or the organisation, the future prospects and how future plans will impact you. Additionally this will indicate that you have seriously considered both the role and working within the organisation. You’d be surprised how far a few questions can get you!

PREPARE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS!

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By doing this you will find out more information about the role or the organisation, the future prospects and how future plans will impact you. Additionally this will indicate that you have seriously considered both the role and working within the organisation. You’d be surprised how far a few questions can get you!

PREPARE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS! ‘What’s involved in the

normal working day?’YES

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By doing this you will find out more information about the role or the organisation, the future prospects and how future plans will impact you. Additionally this will indicate that you have seriously considered both the role and working within the organisation. You’d be surprised how far a few questions can get you!

PREPARE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS! ‘What’s involved in the

normal working day?’YES

‘How do you think my skills will help move the company forward?’

YES

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By doing this you will find out more information about the role or the organisation, the future prospects and how future plans will impact you. Additionally this will indicate that you have seriously considered both the role and working within the organisation. You’d be surprised how far a few questions can get you!

PREPARE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS! ‘What’s involved in the

normal working day?’YES

‘How do you think my skills will help move the company forward?’

YES‘What day do we get paid?’

NO

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By doing this you will find out more information about the role or the organisation, the future prospects and how future plans will impact you. Additionally this will indicate that you have seriously considered both the role and working within the organisation. You’d be surprised how far a few questions can get you!

PREPARE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS! ‘What’s involved in the

normal working day?’YES

‘How do you think my skills will help move the company forward?’

YES‘What day do we get paid?’

NOAvoid anything negative or unprofessional when asking your questions

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Find out where and when your interview is – make sure that you know how to get there and you know how long the journey takes.It might be worthwhile to do a practice run of the journey a few days before your interview just so you know the route, possible delays and where to park (if you’re driving).

DON’T BE LATE!

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Another essential part you need to get right before you go to the interview is how you’re going to

present yourself. It is very important to make a great and professional first

impression on the interviewer and show that you are serious about this

opportunity and future career.It’s better to be overdressed than

underdressed (within reason) so formal clothing is always

recommended!

DRESS TO IMPRESS

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It is important not to let stress and nerves take over when you are going for an interview. Remember they are just people, like you, their intentions are to get to know you and whether you are a good fit for the role. There’s good chance they need you just as much as you need them!Be yourself, but the best possible version of yourself and show you’re a great fit!

RELAX!

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A good, firm handshake is very important. Just don’t break the interviewer’s hand!

HANDSHAKES CAN REVEAL A LOT ABOUT A PERSON

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Judgements are made within the first few seconds of meeting someone, so make sure that you open yourself up, by keeping your shoulders back and head high.Once the interview is over, IQ Analytics will get in touch with you to let you know whether or not your interview has been successful, good luck!

THINK ABOUT YOUR BODY LANGUAGE

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Remember, you have already been shortlisted during the application process, so they are already impressed with what you have to offer. Relax, step up…and hit this one out of the park!

FINAL THOUGHT

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INTERQUEST GROUPWHERE OPPORTUNITY CONNECTS WITH TALENT

InterQuest is a niche recruitment group divided into expert specialist disciplines. We provide contract

and permanent recruitment services and support the career ambitions of those working in the new digital

economy. Each of the Group’s businesses is aligned to market sectors including Finance, Retail, Public Sector and Not for Profit or focused specifically on an area of technology such as testing, analytics, ERP or digital.

For more tips on professional development and to see all of our latest jobs, connect with IQ Analytics

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