“I’m a college freshman and I’m so scared right now.”The line comes from a student who turned to Reddit hours before their first job interview. It was an entry level, part time role. There was no prior work experience. Volunteering in high school felt “pretty mediocre.” Even the thought of the interview made their “heart jump to my throat.”The anxiety is familiar. For many students, the first job interview feels less like an opportunity and more like an exposure of everything they lack.“I have no leadership,” the student wrote. “How do I calm down?”
The better question may be different. What actually matters in a first interview when experience is limited?
First impressions are not superficial
Students often assume that employers are looking for a long resume. In entry level roles, that is rarely the case. Employers are often assessing reliability, communication and willingness to learn.That assessment begins before the first answer.Clothing does not need to be expensive. It needs to be appropriate, grooming needs to signal care, non verbal cues matter. Sitting upright, maintaining eye contact and speaking at a steady pace communicate composure even when nerves are present.The student wrote, “I want to show that I have the people skills and communication skills that are necessary to work there, but I don’t know how to do that when I feel like a mess inside.”External signals can stabilise internal anxiety. Preparation of appearance and posture reduces uncertainty. It creates structure in a moment that feels unstructured.
Research replaces panic with direction
The student had been advised to research the company but did not know how.Start with the basics. What does the company do, what does the specific role involve, what skills are listed in the job description, or what values are highlighted on the company website.Reading about the company’s history, services and recent updates does not require hours. Even thirty focused minutes can clarify expectations.Research serves two purposes. It improves answers. It also shifts attention outwards. Anxiety narrows focus to the self, but preparation expands it to the task.When students understand what the organisation needs, they can frame their responses around contribution rather than deficiency.
Study your own story
One of the most common interview prompts is “Tell me about yourself.” For a student with no work experience, this can feel impossible.The key is to review the resume carefully. Every line can become a talking point. A group project can demonstrate teamwork, a course assignment can show problem solving, or a volunteer activity can reflect responsibility.The student wrote, “I have no no experience.” The repetition mirrors panic, but it also overlooks lived experience. Academic tasks, campus activities and even part time responsibilities at home can illustrate skills.Prepare short responses to common questions. Why should we hire you, what are your strengths and weaknesses, what do you expect from this role.Preparation does not mean memorising scripts. It simply means reducing surprise.
Strength is not the same as experience
When employers interview freshers, they often look for traits rather than tenure.Curiosity. Reliability. Ability to learn. Time management. Collaboration.Students can list two or three qualities that genuinely describe them and attach examples. For instance, completing a demanding semester while managing deadlines demonstrates discipline. Resolving conflict in a group assignment shows communication skills.The Reddit user worried about lacking leadership. Leadership is not the only valued trait. Employers also seek consistency and willingness to follow instructions.A short, clear example is more effective than a broad claim.
College is experience
The assumption that only paid work counts as experience limits students unnecessarily.Course projects, internships, research assignments and campus initiatives all involve planning, execution and accountability. Even preparing for examinations involves organisation and sustained effort.Talking about these experiences requires reframing. Instead of saying “I just did a class project,” a student might explain how they coordinated tasks, met deadlines and presented findings.The interview is not an audit of past employment. It is an evaluation of potential.
Managing the anxiety itself
“How do I calm down?” the student asked.Some anxiety is expected. It signals that the opportunity matters, and practical steps can help contain it.Arrive early. Review notes. Practice slow breathing. Prepare two questions to ask the interviewer. These actions create control in a setting that feels evaluative.Most interviewers understand that freshers are nervous. The absence of experience does not disqualify a candidate. Lack of preparation does.The student feared feeling like “a mess inside.” Interviews are not tests of emotional perfection. They are conversations about fit and readiness to learn.For students entering the workforce for the first time, the shift is not from inexperience to expertise. It is from uncertainty to preparation.That shift is within reach, even a few hours before the interview.