Steps to Interview Readiness
The most intimidating aspects of job hunting is the fear of an interview. Interview fear is a natural result of wanting approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. Although talking about oneself may come naturally to some people, others are apprehensive about being asked questions about their career or past achievements. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked questions that are personal to them Interviews have become an extremely nerve-wracking parts that are required to hire.
This does not have to be the case.
Interviews are an important means for the candidate to demonstrate their skills as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You have already made it through the first step with your resume passing its way through ATS scanners and getting a callback. This opportunity to present and elaborate upon the profile of your employer, background as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial step to the front If you can convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate this increases your chances of getting through the next phase of the selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with fears about speaking about your own achievements. It is important to practice, and fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed in advance. The key to a flawless interview is preparation, and here are some tips that you can implement to improve your chances of aceing that interview and impressing your future employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions.
Interviewers ask challenging questions, partly because they want to elicit information, but also, because they want to see how you can get rid of potentially contentious questions and issues. For instance, consider the question "Why are you leaving your current position?"
The answer may be because of managerial issues, or worries about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason but the way that you formulate your answer will show your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your response with the greatest objectivity possible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses such as answers based on emotions or feelings and do not have any basis in facts.
Other questions to prepare for include "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should we choose your services?", or trick questions such as "Why do you not take you on?" The key is to remain calm and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and follow up with a short reason or summary as to the reason you reacted in a particular way. Next, provide specific examples or provide more details. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly then return to the previous section.
Also, if requested to provide a description of your participation in a task or project and you are required to describe your involvement, you could employ an approach called the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond to selection criteria. When using STAR it is necessary to describe an Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the results.
All it is in the body language
Acting naturally in a difficult situation can be a daunting task however, you can try to practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to inquire about your concerns and note your mannerisms. Are you fidgeting or shifting around in a tense manner? Do you seem uneasy, aggressive or shut off in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with what you want to convey? Do you show genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to the interview, you should read the job description once more. In the event that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities listed within to customize and modify your resume and other selection documents It is imperative to review the job description and how you will describe yourself to the interviewer. Be open and honest concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being realistic about your strengths will enable the interviewer to notice your strengths as a prospective client. However, signalling your intent to address your weaknesses will be just as notable.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the business. The best person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you have noticed something intriguing on the resume or if you’ve got any concerns that weren’t answered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or the general page for hiring About section) Make sure to bring them up at the conclusion of the interview, after your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer are:
"How do I become the most qualified person for this task, if offered the chance to be part of members of your staff?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on currently"
"What are the possibilities to further develop and learn?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
The salary package and other benefits are typically advertised along with the position (or as part of a range in the case of SEEK). However, interviewers may still be interested in knowing what you expect to earn. An important point to remember is to include a range that you’d like your earnings to be based instead of giving an exact or fixed number. Make sure to keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a an expansive margin. For instance, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, an appropriate range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of additional perks and benefits too and think about these when you evaluate your salary goals.
The preparation steps you have in your bag is vital to ensure you have the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials and for interview preparation, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants are able to guide you through the interview preparation phases. Contact us now for an free quote or phone us directly for a chat with one of our consultants on 0800 215 100.
