Five job interview preparation tips for new graduated students

Preparing will help you calm your nerves, showcase your skills and experience more effectively, and increase your chances of being hired.

Learn how to get ready for your Shell application journey with these practical interview preparation tips.

First and foremost, prepare! A lasting impression starts with good preparation. Whether you’re going on an online or in-person interview, do these three things to be in the best shape for the conversation:

Know the company and job you applied for

It seems obvious, however might be a game changer! Before the interview, read the job description carefully and review the company’s background and the job’s offering. Consider how you can contribute to the company and how the company can help you reach your goals. More information in tip no 5 about researching the company.

Practice answering questions

Practice answering common interview questions and know which relevant skills and experiences from your resume to highlight. Think of specific examples of your past experiences, highlighting your soft skills and personality.

Pro tip – if the interview will be conducted in language other that your mother tongue, do a language warm up, so you can feel comfortable and focus on your skills.

Take care of your condition

Mental preparation is one thing, however, do not forget about your physicality. Make sure you’re in the best condition by getting a good night’s sleep, eating well, and keeping yourself hydrated. It’ll help keep you focused, energized and confident.

If you are mentally and physically prepared, focus on what and how you will be sharing during job interview. Shell uses the C-A-R criteria (Capacity Achievement, Relationships) to assess potential candidates. Get familiar with this, so you can gain confidence in showcasing your achievements and skills.

Capacity unleashed: analysing, strategizing, and innovating

Shell values a candidate who can demonstrate critical thinking, strategy and creativity to solve problems, innovate solutions, analyze complex information and think about the future. Think about examples from your experience highlighting that and present it during interview.

Achievement in action: learning, adapting, and excelling

The key to achieving outstanding results lies in continuous learning, adaptability, and willpower. Ideally, you need to show focus, willingness to learn, enthusiasm, and confidence in the face of challenges. Prepare some real-life examples to back up you answers.

The power of relationships: building trust and collaboration

Strong relationships and effective team collaboration are a bedrock of Shells’ internal values, making it possible for every employee in a diverse and multicultural environment to contribute towards a shared goal. Showcase your ability to collaborate with various people while letting your personality shine.

Shell’s interviewers mostly ask competency-based questions rather than technical ones, depending on the role or path you’re applying for. This gives you advantage to prepare before the interview. Think about your competencies and examples from your past experience how to back these competencies up.

Some exemplary questions you might expect:

• Tell me about a situation when you’ve interacted with a difficult stakeholder, and how did you deal with it?
• How do you build relationships?
• What’s your greatest achievement, and how did you achieve it?
  

Remember: answer questions concisely, avoid talking about irrelevant details or explaining your life story. Focus on the situation that took place, your behaviour and what skills did you presented. You can use STAR method to share your experience effectively (focus on: Situation, Task, Action, Results and relationships involved in experience you are describing).

First impressions last, so here’s how you can stand out:

Be genuine

Respond to questions genuinely while being respectful and don’t be afraid to showcase your personality. Being yourself will demonstrate how well you fit into the role or path you’re applying for.

Ask questions

Think about what you would like to know about the company, programme or application process, list your questions beforehand and ask them during the interview. Being prepared and asking questions shows your interest and enthusiasm for the role.

Engage throughout interview

Regardless if it’s an online or in-house interview, remember: your actions will speak louder that your words. Therefore, make a positive impression by listening actively, responding thoughtfully, asking relevant questions, and connecting with the interviewers throughout the conversation.

Learn as much as you can about Shell or the position you applied for to show your genuine interest and see if your skills and values align with the company. To do so, follow these 4 steps:

I. Understand the company’s mission and values

Knowing your employer’s mission and values can help you gain insight into the company culture and determine whether it aligns with your passion, values, and career goals.

Check out the “Who we are” section on Shell’s website to learn more about the company’s background, values, and mission statement.

II. Path-specific research

Consider understanding the different career paths and their potential roles instead of focusing on a specific job.

The Shell Graduate Programme offers different paths in Commercial, Finance and Supply Chain. You can rotate through different roles within your chosen path and see which one suits you best.

III. Recent news and developments

Considering researching the lates news, projects, and initiatives of your potential employer to gain insight into their current focus and future direction. Check out the company’s website and social media for relevant and up-to-date content.

IV. Industry insights

Understanding the industry’s landscape will help you showcase your knowledge and interest in the field and can help you give a competitive edge against other interviewees. Research the industry’s current events, trends, challenges, and accurate market salary. This will let the interviewers see you as someone genuinely interested in the industry.

As for any project, meeting or engagement, the same applies for job interviews – it is always good to be prepared. Following the five interview preparation tips presented above and taking some time before the interview to do research might increase your chances in performing very well during the interview.

Presented tips will show your intentionality and interests throughout the Shell hiring process and can help you stand out among other candidates.

Explore current job openings and submit your application today to take the first step toward a rewarding career path. Let these tailored tips guide you through Shell’s interview process, paving the way for a successful and rewarding career path.