The Complete Guide to On-Campus Interviews: Preparation, Tips & Success Strategies

As a first-time job seeker, everyone has experienced the thrill that comes with the rush of campus placement. Everyone remembers the joy the moment they recovered their first job offer, followed by their first paycheck. So, this is why campus placements are a unique experience, as almost all of the candidates applying there have no or, at the very least, some work experience.

While there may be some differences in the methods, a campus placement usually follows the following concept:

• Pre-placement presentation
• Qualifications
• Written exam
• Group discussion
• Technical skills interview (optional)
• Formal Interview
• Post-placement discussion

Campus placements are different from other job offers as only a limited number of employees one can apply to. Some colleges/universities can also have one where a student will have to opt out of the placement process. This makes the entire campus placements a complex process that students and companies must navigate carefully.

However, students should prepare for their campus placement with care. The primary job of the Universities is to find the best companies to work for. From then on, what happens next is your responsibility. Of course, they will prepare you for that, but there is a lot more you can do. Today’s article will tell you how to prepare yourself for an on-campus interview.

Also Read: The Quick Way To Mastering Face-to-Face Interview: A Guide for Recruiters

10 Tips for On-Campus Interviews

Prepare

You can’t just go straight to the interview. You need to prepare carefully, like researching the company, getting information about the person interviewing you, and thinking about your speech. The company already knows about the candidate in advance. The only responsibility lies with the applicant to make the right impression and present themselves as a competent, constructive person and an experienced professional. It is not uncommon for even the best candidates to fail an interview because they feel scared or hesitant in an unfamiliar environment. Remember, you can’t make a second impression, so you must be prepared to present yourself in the best way possible.

Start by talking about “nothing.”

Spend the first few minutes talking about the weather, traffic, etc. If the interview is not on campus, you can also compliment the office, the view from the window, your sports victory, or your educational achievement (for example, getting a high ranking in the college). This way, you can “break the ice,” relieve general tension, and calm the situation. It also helps you relax, gather yourself, and stay calm instead of being anxious. However, avoid discussing politics or topics that could lead to disagreement with the interviewer.

Also Read: What is Interview Analytics and How Can it Help Your Hiring Process?

Don’t turn a conversation into a monologue.

It is a mistake to give a prepared speech immediately. First, listen to the interviewer and try to understand who the company is looking for and what professional and personal qualities are required. A common situation is when a stressed candidate starts talking about themselves but ends up saying something completely different from what was expected. They may have all the abilities required for the position, but during the interview, they fail to highlight their experience and knowledge adequately. This gives the interviewer the impression that the candidate is unsuitable for the position.

Build Trust

Any communication is half successful if trust is built. The fashionable word “rapport” means “the dynamic state that arises during communication, where mutual understanding develops, and a deep sense of trust develops.” This unconscious rapport is essential for a successful meeting. The interviewer is gauging how “similar” you are to them, their colleagues, and the company’s values. For people who don’t know you to believe and trust you, you must speak to them in the same language and words. And to do that, you have to be able to listen.

Also Read: How BarRaiser improves your interview quality

Try to moderate the conversation.

With the right interview questions, you can build a conversation where the other person feels comfortable and set the tone for the entire conversation. The questions should be “intellectual”—about the company’s business and strategy, how to achieve the company’s goals, the role of the specialist required in realizing these goals, and the expected contribution. From your questions, the employer should understand that you take this proposal seriously, have thoroughly studied the situation, and already feel connected to the company and the team.

Pay attention to your appearance.

The first impression of a person is made in the first 30-40 seconds of a meeting. A friendly facial expression, natural movements, and a fresh, well-groomed, and presentable appearance are the most critical factors in evoking the interlocutor’s sympathy. An interview requires a business style, so avoid casual attire. As for hairstyle, you will look best with your hair tied up and your face open. But everything is very individual.

Applicant Behavior

You come to the interview to introduce yourself and “sell” yourself. Be available at all times and be willing to answer questions. The statement “Read my resume, it’s all there” will not benefit you. There was an instance where the interview literally lasted 5 minutes. An experienced candidate chose the wrong self-promotion strategy: He came in slouching in his chair and showed with his whole attitude that he was evaluating the company. He immediately said that he had several offers and asked what would surprise him. The interviewer quickly decided that this person was not a good fit for the company, so he just got up and left.

Also Read: Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Communication Between Interviewers and Hiring Teams with AI Notes

Be friendly and open and share information.

Even though all the information is available in the resume, there are times when a candidate will not answer a question by saying that this is a secret. This behavior confuses employers. Also, it is not advisable to get angry when asked about your private life. It’s normal for a young woman to be asked if she is married, how many children she has in her family, and who will take care of her if she gets sick. Employers just want to see you as a trustworthy, long-term employee. It will probably not happen in the on-campus interview, but sometimes students are asked about their personal relationships. Balance your answer if the question is too personal. However, the opposite can also happen if a candidate reveals too much personal information that is inappropriate. Moderation is key.

Make friends with recruiters.

Campus students often show up but are ignored because they have not recommended anyone. It is advisable to use a recruitment agency or similar to find a job. A competent HR manager knows how to properly present a candidate’s strengths and what to highlight to the employer. Additionally, if the on-campus interview does not go well, try to get proper feedback and work on it. After a few months, try again. Some students were initially rejected in the on-campus interview but were placed in the same company after a few months.

Also Read: What Is Subject Matter Expert Qualification Assessment? A Complete Look

Go to interviews more often

Every new interview is an experience that makes you more intelligent, more professional, and more confident. Even if you are not in the mood to work, this periodic “shake-up” is very useful. You will understand how “on the market” you are, evaluate your capabilities, make business contacts, and eventually realize that maybe you have been in one position for too long and decide what to do next.

At the end

You know, attending on-campus interviews can serve as a stepping stone toward a career. By preparing and following the strategies mentioned earlier, you can confidently navigate through the interview process and leave a lasting impression on potential employers. It’s important to remember that on-campus interviews work both ways. While you are being assessed, you also have the opportunity to evaluate the company culture and determine if it aligns with your aspirations. Therefore, conducting research, practicing your responses, and asking questions are critical. By presenting yourself in the best light, you are setting yourself up for success in on-campus interviews.

While campus placements are a great way for companies to induct talent at the entry-level, companies have to depend on regular recruitment to hire more talented and experienced candidates. 

This is where our state-of-the-art tool, BarRaiser, is a game-changer in using AI to take a company’s hiring to the next level. So, what is special about our tool? First of all, our platform is called an AI interview assistant. Why, you may ask? This is because we believe that we should provide all the details but should keep the decision process in the hands of a human, in this case, the interviewer.

So, before the Interview, a recruiter can just ask the AI to create an interview plan. Let’s understand that with an example. So, let’s say we are recruiting for a product manager role. So the recruiter can easily put in the following instructions.

“Create an interview questionnaire for the role of a senior product manager. The role requires a minimum experience of ten years. There will only be one round of Interviews of sixty minutes, which can be divided into six parts, ten minutes each. These six parts are an introduction, candidate career till now, SWOT analysis, skill testing, future aspirations, and expectations from the company”.

The AI bot will take in the instructions and create a structured interview format for the Interview. During the course of the Interview, it will give real-time updates to the interviewer, sending alerts in case the Interview exceeds its time limits. With this, we ensure that the company’s hiring process is quick but at the same time efficient.

Using BarRaiser, we guarantee quality hiring that will bolster diversity and inclusion. BarRaiser is the best AI interview platform that features structured interviews and tools to ensure quality hiring while eliminating recruitment bias. With BarRaiser’s support, you’ll be well-equipped to build a strong team of sales associates who will drive sales and deliver exceptional customer service.