How freshers can land the interview: Insights from Apna’s research
When searching for jobs, the first challenge for freshers is receiving an interview offer. We share the top profile features recruiters use to shortlist candidates.
In the post-COVID economic recovery, the job market is competitive, especially for freshers. Urban youth unemployment remains close to 20%, and participation in both higher education and skilling initiatives rise annually. In this environment, freshers shared with us that it can be tough to even receive an interview offer, the first step in the recruitment process. In the interview, freshers can explain their skills and drive, but how do candidates reach that point? To answer this question, we reached out to over 4,000 recruiters and asked which profile features are most important. These recruiters, located across India, all posted professional jobs for freshers within the past 2 months. We also conducted qualitative interviews to clarify the nuances. Below, we share their top 3 profile features:
#1: Having a complete job profile or resume
Without question, this was the top feature for recruiters: over 70% reported that having a complete profile was important to their decision to grant an interview. On apna, a complete profile includes experience, degree, course, location, skills, and languages. When we asked why having a complete profile is the top feature, recruiters shared two reasons. First, it collects all the basic information that they require in an easy-to-read format, allowing them to quickly assess which candidates have the potential to suit their organization’s needs. Second, having a completed profile indicates important soft skills. Though it only takes a few minutes to fill a profile, by making this effort, candidates demonstrate that they are serious about finding a job and attention to detail. Having many candidates and limited time, recruiters aim to interview freshers who are both motivated and could be a good fit.
#2: Filling language or skill requirements
When selecting freshers to interview, the second key feature for recruiters is whether candidates fill language or skill requirements. Overall, 48% of recruiters reported that candidate language proficiency and skills were important to their decision to grant an interview, though there was a split among recruiters hiring for roles requiring 12th pass (40%) vs. Graduate candidates (60%). Their responses align with the skill requirements of the jobs: job posts for Graduate candidates listed more required skills than posts for candidates who completed at least 12th pass. Yet more surprising is that recruiters’ priorities reflected the shift to the skill-based economy. Among recruiters hiring Graduate candidates, significantly fewer noted that degree (51%), course (24%), or GPA (14%) were important to their interview decision. As we previously reported, freshers are aware of these new hiring priorities and aim to upskill through their first job. However, freshers also shared with us that they were unsure how strict skill requirements for various roles would be. The recruiters we spoke with confirmed that there is some flexibility: if freshers are still upskilling in one area but are strong in others, they might still receive an interview offer. Recruiters understand the nuances of their organization, and the role might accommodate upskilling in that area.
#3 Location
The third key profile feature is location, as 47% of recruiters reported that location is important for choosing candidates to interview. However, when we analyzed posts for ~2,500 jobs, we found that most only required candidates who live in the same city as the workplace. In our interviews, the reason was clear: recruiters didn’t want their time to be wasted. They recounted prior experiences of interviewing candidates located in other cities, yet when the candidates were given job offers, they didn’t want to shift. For freshers who want to maximize their chance of securing an interview, applying to jobs in their own city is a good start. Broadly, freshers should apply to jobs that they are likely to accept: it saves time for recruiters, who during interviews, also consider whether freshers are excited for the role or have doubts. While there may be other reasons to interview candidates who live close to the office, for recruiters, they aren’t top of mind. One recruiter joked, “Prioritizing candidate location isn’t because of traffic — even for freshers, we trust that they’ll be on time.”
Conclusion
While the job market is competitive, there are strategies freshers can use to maximize their chance of landing an interview. Having a complete job profile and applying to jobs that they are likely to accept are simple yet effective strategies rooted in protecting the recruiter’s time and signaling their motivation. Upskilling is a larger commitment, but it demonstrates both their ability to fill the role and desire to grow. Taking these steps, freshers won’t have to worry as much about receiving the interview offer — instead, they can prepare to crack the interview itself.
Lead Researcher:
Andelyn Russell
Ph.D. Candidate
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Apna Research Team
