Strategies for Interview Success
The most intimidating aspects of job hunting is the interview stage. It is a normal result of wanting to seek recognition and acceptance from other people, especially from your prospective employers. While speaking about themselves may seem natural to certain people however, many are nervous about being asked questions regarding their work or prior achievements. Perhaps due to modesty or the fear of being asked personal questions Interviews have become among the more stressful parts during the selection process.
This doesn’t need to be the scenario.
Interviews are the best opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their skills as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You have already been through the first step and your resume has made the cut through ATS scanners, and your name getting a callback. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate upon your resume, experience, and key skills and abilities is the proverbial entrance into the interview If you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified, it boosts your chances of passing through the next stage of the selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with doubts about speaking about your personal achievements. Practice is key to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed in advance. The secret to successful interviews is preparation, and here are some suggestions you can implement to improve your chances at nailing that interview and impressing potential employers.
Get comfortable around tricky questions
Interviewers ask challenging questions, in part, to get information from you, but also, because they want to see how you can get rid of potentially contentious issues and worries. Consider, for instance, the question "Why do you want to leave your current role?"
The answer to this question could be due to problems with management, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer however, the manner in which you phrase your response will signal your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your response in the most objective way can be. This means that you should eliminate all emotional responses, like answers that are based purely on sentiments or feelings, and do not have any basis in facts.
Other questions to prepare for are "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should we hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions such as "Why should us not take you on?" The key is to remain calm and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and then provide a concise explanation or a brief summary of why you responded a certain way. Then, add details or go into more detail. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly then return to your original point.
If you’re required to explain your participation in a particular project or task then you can apply the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond to criteria for selection. When using STAR the first thing you need to do is write an context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the Result.
It’s all in the body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation may be a daunting task however, you can practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to inquire about your concerns and take note of your actions. Are you fidgeting or shifting around with a nervousness? Do you appear intimidating, stiff, defensive or shut off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match your message you’re trying to make? Do you show genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?
Be aware of your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before the interview, you should review the job description once more. If you have read the job description and then used the roles and duties listed in the description to make changes to your resume as well as other selection documents It is imperative to think about the job description and how you will present yourself to the interviewer. Be open and honest concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being open about your strengths will allow interviewers to recognize your unique selling points as a prospective client. However, signalling your intent to improve your weak points will be equally notable.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest about the job and the business. The best person to inquire is the interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description or if you have questions that have not been answered through their FAQ or their guide questions (which are typically found within the job application or their general hiring page about section) Make sure to bring them up at the conclusion of the interview, after your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the job, if I am given the chance to be part of members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway right now"
"What are the potential opportunities to further develop and learn?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Benefits and salary packages are typically advertised along with the position (or as part of a range, for those applying through SEEK). But, interviewers might be interested in knowing what you’re expecting to earn. One important tip is to provide a range in which you’d like your earnings to fall instead of offering an exact or fixed number. Make sure to keep your range tight instead of giving an expansive margin. If, for instance, you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a reasonable range would be anywhere in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anything in the range of $10,000. Consider other benefits and perks also and take these into consideration when you evaluate your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your purse is important to be prepared with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, confident, and confident, and be bold.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for interviews, please get in touch with Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to assist you in your preparation steps. Contact us today for a complimentary quote or call us direct to speak with one of our experts on 0800 215 100.
