Simple Tips to Nail Your First Job Interview

Congratulations on completing your SPM and/or graduating from college! That’s a huge milestone. Now comes the next big step: landing your first job or internship. Whether it’s for a part-time gig or a full-time role, interviews can be nerve-wracking.

But don’t worry, we’ve got four easy-to-follow tips to help you walk into your next interview with confidence and leave a lasting impression

1. Know What You Bring to the Table

Before the interview even begins, take some time to reflect on your strengths. Technical skills are the practical tools you’ve picked up—maybe you’re good with spreadsheets, know how to edit videos, or speak multiple languages. Personal skills, on the other hand, are about how you work and interact—like being a reliable team player, staying organised, or solving problems on the spot.

You don’t need formal work experience to show what you’re capable of. School projects, club activities, or helping at a family business all count. For example, you can say that being the secretary of the Environmental Club improved your organisational skills, or that being the treasurer of the Entrepreneur Club means you are detail-oriented and good with numbers. The idea is to know your strengths and be ready to explain how they make you a great fit for the role.

2. Master Your Self-Introduction

“Tell me about yourself” is usually the first question in any interview. This is the chance to make a great first impression.

Here’s a simple structure to follow:

Name: Start with your name and where you’re from.
Education: Mention your most recent academic achievement (e.g. “I just completed my SPM”)
Activities: Talk about any clubs, sports, or volunteer work you’ve done.
Skills: Highlight one or two key strengths
Goals: Share what you’re hoping to learn or achieve in the role.

💬Example

“Hi, I’m Aina from Penang. I recently completed my SPM and I was the secretary of my school’s English Club. I enjoy working with people and have strong communication skills. I’m excited to gain real-world experience and grow professionally.”

Practice saying this out loud until it feels natural. You want to sound confident, not rehearsed.

3. Nail Common Interview Questions with the STAR Method

When interviewers ask questions like:

“Can you share your experience with working in a team?”
“How do you deal with having to meet multiple deadlines at one time?”
“Tell me about a time where you had to solve a conflict…”

They’re not just asking for a story. They’re actually trying to assess your key soft skills such as teamwork, time management, and conflict resolution.

A great way to answer these questions clearly and confidently is by using the STAR method:

Situation: What was happening?
Task: What was your role?
Action: What did you do?
Result: What happened in the end?

This method helps you stay focused and structured, even if your experience comes from school, volunteering, or part-time work. It shows that you can reflect, solve problems, and contribute effectively which are skills every employer values.

💡TIP

“In school, we had a group project to create a business plan (Situation). I was in charge of designing the presentation (Task). I used Canva to create the slides and coordinated with my teammates to make sure everything flowed well (Action). We ended up getting the highest score in class (Result)!”

From this response, interviewers can identify your ability to work in a team.

4. Have a Resume Ready (and a Portfolio, if Relevant!)

Almost all jobs require a resume—and having one ready shows that you’re serious, prepared, and professional, even if it’s not specifically asked for.

Your resume should be concise, well-organised, and easy to read—using clear, confident language to highlight what you did, learned, or achieved in each experience. Be sure to include:

Your name, contact details, and where you’re based
Education background
Key skills (both technical and personal)
Extracurricular activities or achievements
Any part-time work, internships, or volunteer experience

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the creative field such as graphic design, illustration, or even running an online business, consider building a simple portfolio to showcase your work. This could include personal projects, school assignments, or anything you’ve created independently. You can present it as a PDF, slideshow, or upload it to free platforms like Behance or Wix.

Don’t forget your online presence! Creating a LinkedIn profile is a great way to start to network with others in your field and makes it easier for recruiters to find you (even if you’re just starting out). Check out our easy-to-follow guide on creating your LinkedIn profile!

💡TIP

Use free tools like Canva, Novoresume, or Microsoft Word templates to create a clean, one-page resume. Be sure to proofread! Spelling mistakes or messy formatting can leave a bad impression.

Remember that interviews aren’t just about answering questions, they’re about showing who you are. Be honest, be yourself, and don’t be afraid to share your story. Employers aren’t expecting perfection; they’re looking for potential, passion, and a willingness to learn.

Every interview is a chance to grow. Even if you don’t get the job, you’re building valuable experience that will help you in the future. If you don’t hear back or get a rejection, you can politely ask the interviewer for feedback. This will help you gain insights that help you do better next time.

Feel more prepared now? You’ve got this!

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