Ready Yourself for Interviews
The most daunting aspect of job hunts is the fear of an interview. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting to seek recognition and acceptance from other people, especially from your prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may be a natural thing for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions regarding their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps out of modesty and the fear of being asked to answer personal questions Interviews have become among the more intimidating parts during the selection process.
This doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are an important means for the candidate to show that their competencies are, their achievements, and potential. You’ve already made it through the first step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners and being considered for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate on the profile of your employer, background and the most important skills and expertise is the proverbial foot in the door: if you convince the interviewer you have what it takes, it boosts your chances to be selected for the next stage of the selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with doubts about speaking about your accomplishments. It is important to practice to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed in advance. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some tips that you can use to increase your chances of getting through that interview and impressing future employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions
Interviewers ask challenging questions, in part, to get information from you and information, but also because they want to see you come out of potentially contentious questions and concerns. Take for example the question "Why do you want to leave your current position?"
The answer may be because of problems with management, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. No matter the answer, however, the manner in which you phrase your answer will show your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your responses using as much objectivity is possible. This includes removing emotional responses like responses based on emotions or feelings and are not substantiated by facts.
Other important questions to ask are "What made you apply for this job?", "Why should we hire you?", or trick questions such as "Why should be able to not hire you?" The key is to stay 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 then follow it up with a short reason or summary as to the reason you reacted in a particular way. Then, add examples or further elaborate. After you have explained thoroughly, go back to the point you made earlier.
Similarly, if you are required to explain your participation in a task or project then you can apply an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to selection criteria. When using STAR you will need to write the context,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken then the result.
It’s all in body language
Being natural in a stressful situation may be a tall order however, you can try to practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask questions of you and take note of your actions. Are you fidgeting or shifting around in a tense manner? Do you look intimidating, stiff, defensive or shut off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match what you want to convey? Do you show openness, sincerity and genuine enthusiasm?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses.
Before the interview, be sure to read the description of the position. Assuming that you’ve read the description and utilized the roles and responsibilities described therein to modify and customise your resume as well as other selection documents It is imperative to look at the job description to clearly package yourself for the interviewer. Be honest and upfront concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being open about your strengths will enable the interviewer to note your unique selling points as a potential customer. However, showing your determination to work on your weaknesses will also be significant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine interest about the job and the company. The most appropriate person to ask for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you noticed something interesting on the resume or you have questions not answered on their FAQ page or guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or their general hiring page About section) Bring them up at the conclusion of the interview when the interviewer invites you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer are:
"How do I become the most suitable person for the job, should I be offered the chance to work with members of your staff?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on currently"
"What are the potential opportunities for further development and training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Other benefits and packages for salary are generally advertised with the position (or on a list, in the case of SEEK). However, the interviewer may ask you how much you expect to earn. A good tip is to offer a range within which you’d like your salary to be, rather than providing an exact, fixed amount. Keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a an expansive margin. For example, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, a reasonable range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any other perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you are evaluating your salary goals.
Inputting these steps into your back pocket is essential to equip yourself with the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident and be courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents or credentials as well as the preparation for your interview, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants can guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us today for your free quotation or phone us directly to speak with one our experts on 0800 215 100.
