The document provides advice for STEM graduates preparing for their first job interview. It recommends thoroughly researching the company, understanding why you want the job and what benefits you would provide, reviewing the job description, preparing your own questions for the interviewer, arriving on time and dressing professionally. The document stresses the importance of confidence and a good first impression through firm handshakes and positive body language. Overall, it aims to help graduates feel prepared and relaxed for their first important job interview.

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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!

5. WWW.ITQANALYTICS.COM/GRADUATES |
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!

6. WWW.ITQANALYTICS.COM/GRADUATES |
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!

7. WWW.ITQANALYTICS.COM/GRADUATES |
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!

8. WWW.ITQANALYTICS.COM/GRADUATES |
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?’
NO
Avoid 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

26. WWW.ITQANALYTICS.COM/GRADUATES |
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WHERE OPPORTUNITY CONNECTS WITH TALENT
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and Not for Profit or focused specifically on an area of
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For more tips on professional development and to see all
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