Job interviews can make or break a candidate’s career prospects, particularly for fresh graduates aiming for competitive salaries despite limited work experience.
A Malaysian recruiter recently took to Threads to share insights after rejecting a fresh graduate who applied for a RM6,000 role, citing the candidate’s “underwhelming” performance during the behavioural assessment segment of the interview.
The recruiter urged applicants to improve their storytelling skills, emphasising that generic answers like “I’m proactive, a self-starter, adaptable” no longer impress employers. Instead, companies want candidates to demonstrate critical thinking, reflect on real experiences, and explain the impact of their decisions.
“Share your real experiences. The more detailed and authentic your examples, the more engaged we become,” the recruiter advised.
The post sparked widespread discussion online about expectations for fresh graduates, highlighting the challenge of balancing limited experience with the ability to showcase problem-solving skills.
Many netizens agreed with the recruiter’s perspective, noting that candidates who excel often have prior work experience. Others pointed out that fresh graduates can still impress through thoughtful answers, exposure to various situations, and a clear demonstration of how they process information.
“Even without extensive experience, we value street-smart thinkers who can analyse and articulate their approach,” the recruiter added.
Commenters noted that strong storytelling often comes with experience, which creates a natural gap for fresh graduates. Yet, developing the ability to communicate real-life examples and insights could give young candidates a competitive edge in the interview process.
