4 Key Job Interview Tips for Millennials

4 Key Job Interview Tips for Millennials 4 Key Job Interview Tips for Millennials An interview is the first time you’ll have to impress a potential employer, and as first impressions are crucial during an interview, you’ll want to put your best foot forward. Whether you’re fresh out of college or you’ve been looking for a while, these interview tips for millennials will help you make the best first impression. Referrals and References Want a huge credibility boost before you even step foot inside your interview? Get a referral for the position you are applying for. Having someone from inside the company who can vouch for you will dramatically increase your chances of getting hired. It will also produce a common thread for conversation with your interviewers. Sometimes referrals from within the company are hard to come across, especially if you’re new to the job hunt, but that doesn’t mean you can’t come prepared. It’s likely you’ll be asked for a list of references before you come to the interview anyway, so take the time to make sure your references are people who know you on both a personal and professional level. Not sure where to start with your references? Think back to the connections you made in college, mentors you may have had, or a manager you had during your internship. Prepare Come to the interview well-versed in the company’s mission, culture, products, and services. Use your social media skills and jump onto networks like LinkedIn to learn professional information about the company, and try Facebook or Twitter to get a sense of the company’s culture to see if you’d be a good fit. Review its website for in-depth material about its products and services so you’ll fully understand what the business’s goals are. Also, look for press information like recent announcements about products or awards the company may have won. Because millennials are knowledge-seekers and know how to access just about any type of information online, employers will expect you to have done your homework. Interview Etiquette Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but if you’re skilled in interview etiquette, you’ll look and feel confident. Some things to remember when you’re in the interview: Make eye contact. Making and maintaining eye contact will position you as a confident candidate. Maintain attentive body language. The majority of communication is nonverbal, so maintaining attentive body language will assure the interviewer that you’re interested in the position. Put the phone away. According to a study done by Ultimate Software, 33 percent of millennials think it’s appropriate to text during an interview. You do not need your phone in an interview, for any reason! Make sure your phone is on silent, or better yet, turn it off completely. Creating a mock interview with family or friends is another great way to practice your interview etiquette. Though nothing takes the place of a real interview, this exercise will at least allow you to receive feedback and build confidence in your interviewing skills. Ask Questions A mistake a lot of people- not just millennials- will make in an interview is not asking questions. An interview is a conversation between you and the person you’re meeting with. Don’t allow the interview to become a panel situation where you’re only providing answers to questions. The conversation should be a two-way street in which you parlay the research you did beforehand into questions reflecting your knowledge about the company and its culture. It may seem really difficult when you’re not the most experienced candidate, but if you remember these interview tips for millennials and gen Y, you’ll come across as confident, skilled, and ready to take on the position. Mix in your personality and some enthusiasm and you’ll gain the edge you need to land that job you’ve been looking for. Readers, what other job interview tips for millennials do you have to share? What have you found to be most successful when interviewing? Share with us below! Andrea Duke lives in Atlanta and works as a communications specialist for  PGi, a leading global provider of collaboration software and services for over 20 years. PGi is constantly innovating, developing new technologies to make virtual meetings easier and more productive than ever before. Learn more at PGi’s blog,  The Future of Business Collaboration.