Prepping Effectively for Interviews
The most frightening aspect of job hunts is the fear of an interview. It is a normal result of wanting acceptance and approval from others in particular from potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may seem natural to certain people however, many are nervous about being asked about their career or past achievements. Perhaps out of modesty and the anxiety that comes from being asked to answer personal questions interviews have turned out to be one of the most stressful parts that are required to hire.
It doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are a great opportunity for applicants to showcase their abilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You have already passed the first step, with your resume making an appearance on ATS scanners, and your name being selected for an interview. This opportunity to present and further elaborate on the profile of your employer, background as well as the key skills and abilities is the proverbial entrance into the interview: if you convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate this increases your chances to be selected for the next stage of the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews even if you’re having doubts about speaking about your achievements. The practice is essential to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be practiced prior to the time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some helpful tips you can implement to improve your chances of getting through that interview and impressing your future employers:
Get comfortable around tricky questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions in part, to elicit information as well as because they want to help you get out of potentially contentious questions and issues. Consider, for instance, the question "Why are you leaving your current position?"
The reason for this may be because of problems with management, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason however, the manner that you express your answer will demonstrate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your reasoning with as much objectivity as feasible. This means removing any emotional responses such as answers that are based purely on feelings or sentiments and are not substantiated by facts.
Other questions to prepare for include "What did you do to get this role?", "Why should we hire you?", or trick questions like "Why should you not choose you?" The key is to not lose composure and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Start with your statement and follow with a brief reason or summary as to why you responded a certain manner. Add details or go into more detail. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to your original point.
Also, if requested to provide a description of your participation in a particular project or task then you can employ the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to criteria for selection. If you are using STAR the first thing you need to do is write an Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the final result.
It’s all in the body language
Acting naturally in a stressful situation could be a challenge however, you can learn to communicate professionally. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask questions of you and take note of your actions. Are you flitting or shifting around with a nervousness? Do you appear intimidating, stiff, defensive or aloof in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match what you want to convey? Do you show sincerity, authenticity and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before the interview, ensure that you read the job description again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities outlined in it to alter and personalize your resume as well as other selection documents It is essential to look at the job description to clearly present yourself to the interviewer. Be candid and open concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being open about your strengths can allow interviewers to recognize your unique selling points as a prospective client. But, indicating your intention to address your weaknesses will be just as relevant.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the job and within the business. The most appropriate person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you noticed something interesting on the resume, or if you have any concerns that weren’t answered through their FAQ or guide questions (which typically are found in the job application or their general hiring page About section) Make sure to bring them up during the interview, when your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer are:
"How do I become the best person for the jobif offered the chance to work alongside the team?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities to further develop and learn?"
Know your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are usually advertised alongside the job (or as part of a range when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers may still inquire about the amount you anticipate earning. A good tip is to give a range of where you’d like your pay to be, rather than providing an exact or fixed number. Keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a an expansive margin. If, for instance, you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a sensible range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Also, be aware of other benefits and perks as well and consider these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your purse is important to ensure you have the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, confident, and confident and be courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for interview preparation, you may get in touch with Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants can guide you through the interview preparation phases. Contact us now for the free quotation or contact us directly for a chat with one of our consultants at 1300 820 847.
