Interview Tips for “Freshers” in India: Lessons from My Recruiting Journey
In India, we often use the word “fresher” to describe recent graduates or candidates with minimal work experience. This term can also apply to someone moving into a field where they don’t yet have direct experience. What freshers bring is energy, curiosity, and potential—but guidance and mentoring for this early in career talent helps them make that transition much smoother into a corporate environment.
As a recruiter with a Bachelor’s in IT and over five years in talent acquisition, I’ve worked with “fresh” graduates and seasoned professionals. Having sat on both sides of the table myself, I’ve seen how small details can make or break an interview. Here are some lessons I wish every fresher knew—shared from real moments in my recruiting journey.
Resume hygiene is non-negotiable 📝
I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen resumes with typos in email IDs (yes, “gamil.com” instead of “gmail.com”), or resumes saved in a format the system couldn’t read. I’ve had to pass on strong candidates simply because their details never came through the ATS.
What I tell freshers: Save your resume as Word or PDF, use clean fonts, and always double-check your contact details. Even the file name matters—Richa_Kadam_Resume.pdf looks far more professional than just Resume.pdf.
Do your homework 🔍
I once asked a candidate why they wanted to join our company, and the answer was: “I don’t know much about what you do.” Compare that to someone who said, “I was impressed by your recent product launch in AI—it aligns with my final-year project.” Who do you think stood out more?
Lesson: A little research on the company’s website, products, and values makes you memorable and shows genuine interest.
Projects speak louder than marks💡
Grades matter, but in interviews, your projects and internships tell the real story. I’ve seen resumes that simply list “E-commerce Website” and leave it at that. But one candidate wrote: “Built a responsive e-commerce app using React & MySQL—reduced load time by 30%.” That one line showed me their skills, initiative, and impact.
Takeaway: Don’t just say what you did—show the results.
A Fresher’s Secret Checklist: Small Details That Make a Big Difference:
✨ Name your resume smartly
👉 Richa_Kadam_Resume.pdf > Resume.pdf
✨
Check your email display name
👉 No more cutiepie123—use your real name.
✨
Be early
👉 3–5 minutes before the call = perfect timing.
✨
Take notes
👉 Shows you’re engaged + helps you structure answers.
✨
End with curiosity
👉 Ask: “What qualities help someone succeed in this role?”
✨
Test your tech
👉 Full name on Zoom/Teams, charged device, stable WiFi.
✨
Be authentic, not scripted
👉 Don’t memorize. Connect answers to your real projects.
Recruiter tip: We notice these small details right away—they can set you apart instantly!
Communication beats perfection 🗣️
I often meet freshers who get nervous about their English grammar. But here’s the truth—we don’t need flawless grammar, we need clarity. One candidate explained their project using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result): “In my final-year project, our task was X, I contributed by Y, and the outcome was Z.” It was simple, structured, and very effective.
Professional presence goes a long way 👔
One of the funniest moments I’ve had was seeing a Zoom ID pop up as “iPhone User” and another with an email handle like rockstar999. It instantly makes the wrong impression.
Tip: Join interviews three to five minutes early, use your full name on your profile, and check that your email display name looks professional.
Responsiveness shows reliability 📧
I’ve seen great candidates lose opportunities simply because they missed recruiter emails or didn’t pick up calls. In bulk hiring, timelines move fast, and responsiveness can be the difference between landing an offer and losing out.
Habit to build: Check your inbox (and spam folder!) daily, and return recruiter calls promptly.
AMA - Ask me anything! ❓
One of my favorite moments is when a fresher closes the interview by asking something thoughtful like: “What qualities help someone succeed in this role?” It shows genuine curiosity. On the other hand, “No questions” is always a missed opportunity.
Final Thought
Freshers bring curiosity and energy—that’s their superpower. Companies don’t expect you to know everything, but we do expect you to be prepared, proactive, and eager to learn. Small details, a little research, and authenticity will already put you ahead of the crowd.
For more on what the hiring process looks like here at Coupa India—and how we support you from the moment you accept an offer—check out this episode of our Shaping What’s Next video series, where my colleague Vaishali Bahuguna shares her perspective as a recruiter. To learn more about life at Coupa India and how you can be part of our growing tech team, visit our Life in India page and join our Talent
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Watch: Shaping What’s Next – Coupa India Special Episode









