Some advice for young graduates about the "fear" of job interviews

The Issue

Since graduating in 2018, I have experienced various work environments, and although I cannot say that I am confident enough to excel in any interview, I am sure that I have gained a lot of experience in this matter. Just for fun, who goes to job interviews without learning something from them? Moreover, if I can share my experiences and help others, it would be even better.

In fact, throughout my journey of facing numerous recruiters, there have been sweat and tears, giving me valuable lessons that I am going to share with you below. I think that for experienced individuals, they always know how to gain an advantage in any interview. However, for recent graduates or those with little experience, they may feel somewhat "uneasy" every time they step into an interview. Therefore, this article is my share for those who have not yet found their confidence in job interviews. How to eliminate the fear and move towards a successful encounter in the future, and moreover, increase the chances of success for yourself.

My Story!

By chance, I learned how to create a website in middle school, which nurtured my intention to pursue IT, specifically web development. At that time, I didn't know much, so I searched for knowledge online, did some hands-on practice, and gradually created a website to share what I knew. Actually, it was not a full-fledged website, but it was more like WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), a mobile-friendly interface composed of interconnected HTML pages. It was such a simple thing, but it made me so passionate that I even neglected my studies. While my friends went to internet cafes to play games, I spent my time coding. When I didn't have a computer at home, I typed away on my old Nokia phone. Looking back, I didn't think that I could code on a phone like that back in the day.

During university, I appeared to be more knowledgeable than many of my peers. While others were unfamiliar with programming or didn't know what they would do with coding in the future, I easily solved assignments and could handle any large team projects. It was clear that the knowledge I had gained beforehand helped me a lot at this stage.

After finishing the third year, I felt confident enough to go out and apply for internships. The first one was at a programming center, and the interview process was not too challenging because they didn't ask many questions about my field of study – my job was simply to handle HTML and CSS. After completing the internship program, I felt that this job didn't meet my expectations, so I applied for another internship at a PHP-focused company. This time, they asked more questions, but luckily I answered well and got selected. However, after three months, I felt that the current job wasn't suitable for me, so I decided to leave.

In the fourth year of university, when students needed to do internships and write reports, I embarked on my journey of job interviews once again. This time, it was at a renowned IT company. I had a mixture of confidence and nervousness, thinking that I had enough skills to be selected, but... no! I failed. "Do you not know anything about what you have learned in school?" were the words uttered by the interviewer after the conversation came to an end.

Those words were a shock to my spirit and hit my self-esteem. I thought that I had enough knowledge to answer all the interview questions, but ironically, it turned out that my knowledge was only superficial and lacked the necessary connections. Since then, I have always felt insecure about my knowledge and worried about facing interviews. Even just scheduling an interview made my heart beat fast because of the fear of facing the interview panel – not knowing what they would ask and how I would answer... Many thoughts overwhelmed me, creating immense pressure.

By chance, I came across a famous quote with the implication: "Only you can save yourself," which woke me up. The truth is, all the nervousness and fear are created by ourselves, and if we can create them, we can totally overcome them by cultivating the right mindset. I trained myself to control negative emotions and confidently showcase my abilities in front of others.

In recent years, I have been through nearly a dozen interviews just to find the right position. At this point, interviews are no longer a source of fear for me; instead, they are a way for me to find a suitable environment where I can fully utilize my abilities and develop myself in the best possible way.

Understanding the Essence of the Interview Process to Overcome Fear

Ultimately, an interview is a way for employers to find candidates who fit the positions they are hiring for. There are many criteria for suitability that they establish, and every place is different; no two places are alike. So, think about it, how can a small person like us meet all the criteria of hundreds or thousands of employers? "Trying to please everyone" is a fitting phrase in this case. Instead of trying to please the recruiters, ask yourself what you want and what you can do. Many people think that interviews are a one-way interaction for the employer. Not necessarily! You can always "put pressure" back by asking questions that demonstrate your desired future work environment.

I know many people feel insecure about themselves, such as their communication skills, the level of knowledge they possess, or being too modest... generating self-pressure every time they step into an interview. I have experienced this myself. It will be very difficult to overcome this in a day or two, so take it slow. In my opinion, the best way is to increase interaction with those around you to improve your communication skills and read books on this topic to learn how to handle it better.

Don't be afraid of being overshadowed by a candidate with a "better" resume, because, as I mentioned earlier, the purpose of an interview is to find a suitable candidate, not necessarily the most skilled one. That person may have deep knowledge and broad understanding, but if their demands for salary or working conditions exceed what the company can offer, they are still likely to be rejected.

Alternatively, the employer may be interested in the candidate's attitude towards learning and self-improvement. You may not know a lot, but with a listening attitude and a willingness to learn, you can still be highly regarded.

To sum it up, an interview is a process of finding the right fit, not necessarily the most skilled person. Therefore, do not feel uncertain about yourself, but rather be prepared to showcase what you know, what you can do, and what you desire from a work environment in the best possible way.

Creating Your Own Highlights to Grab Attention

Besides having excellent speaking skills, an attractive appearance, or a captivating voice... ignoring natural advantages, there are still many ways to create highlights for yourself in the eyes of recruiters.

Learn how to present yourself with a concise yet informative resume. Actually, this is a difficult issue, even for someone with years of work experience, it is not easy to write an "appealing" resume to recruiters. Try putting yourself in the recruiter's shoes and ask yourself what they would most want to see for the position you are applying for, and make that clear in your resume. Refer to sample resumes online. It's good to create your own unique impression with your resume by designing it yourself – using colors, telling a story, or using lead-ins...

If you pass the resume screening stage and prepare to face the employer, train yourself to respond confidently and progressively. The first impression you make with the employer is based on your appearance and demeanor. Dress neatly and be quick on your feet, these are essential. Listen and respond at the right time and to the point, if you don't know something, admit it and say that you will look it up, avoid answering with short phrases like "No," "I don't know," "Yes"... and follow up with an explanation or a summary of the main point of the question to show the interviewer that you understand the question. For example, "- Do you know the difference between Session and Cookie? - I may have worked with Session and Cookie before, but I haven't delved into them deeply. I will research again or could you explain it to me?".

Prepare questions to ask the employer. They can be about the company, the organizational structure, or how the position you are applying for will be. There are many things you can ask to increase interaction and leave a good impression on the interviewer.

Lastly, remember, only you can save yourself. All the excitement, fear... are created by yourself, so train yourself to have the right mindset to overcome these immediate feelings and confidently present yourself to the employer. Good luck!