Mastering Interview Readiness
A major and daunting aspects of job hunting is the daunting interview process. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek recognition and acceptance from other people particularly from prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may come naturally to some people but others feel nervous about being asked questions regarding their work or prior successes. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort arising from being asked to answer personal questions Interviews have become one of the most nerve-wracking parts during the selection process.
It doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are the best means for the candidate to prove their capabilities are, their achievements, and potential. You’ve already been through the first step by submitting your resume to its way through ATS scanners and you getting a callback. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate further on one’s profile, employment history as well as the key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a step to the front If you can convince the interviewer that you’re a good fit you increase your odds of getting through to the next step in the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing apprehensions about talking about your personal achievements. Practice is key to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can use to increase your chances of getting through that interview and impressing future employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partly because they want to gain information as well as since they want to help you get out of potentially contentious questions and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why do you want to leave your current role?"
The answer could be due to problems with management, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer however, the manner that you express your answer will show your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your answer with as much objectivity as possible. This means removing emotional responses like answers based on feelings or sentiments and do not have any basis in evidence.
Other questions to consider include "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should us choose to hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions like "Why should you not take you on?" The key is to stay calm and plan your thoughts well.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Begin with your topic and follow with a brief note of the reason or reasons the reason you reacted in a particular manner. Add details or go into more detail. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly then return to the point you made earlier.
In the same way, if you’re required to explain your participation on a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could utilize an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to selection criteria. In using STAR the first thing you need to do is write the Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken then the Result.
All it is in the body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful situation could be a challenge, but you can always make sure you are practicing professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask you questions and observe your body language. Are you shifting or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you look stiff, standoffish, defensive or reserved in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect the message you’re trying to convey? Do you display authenticity, openness and genuine concern?
Consider your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, ensure that you go over the job description once more. Assuming that you’ve read the description and utilized the roles and responsibilities listed in it to alter and personalize your resume and other selection documents, it is important to look at the job description in order to accurately prepare yourself for interviewers. Be upfront and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being honest regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to see your strengths as a prospect. But, indicating your intention to address your weaknesses is just as significant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the company. The best person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you noticed something interesting in the job description or you have questions not answered by their FAQ page or guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or in their general hiring page about section) Bring them up after the interview when the interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer are:
"How can I be the most suitable person for the job, should I be offered the chance to join your team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on right now"
"What are the possibilities to advance and further education?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are usually advertised alongside the job (or in a variety, in the case of SEEK). However, the interviewer may ask you how much you are expecting. A good tip is to offer a range within which you’d like your pay to be, rather than providing an exact number or a set amount. Make sure to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, an appropriate choice would be anything from the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Also, be aware of other perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you are evaluating your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your back pocket is essential for ensuring you are in ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, feel confident, and be bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials and for interviews, please contact Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants will be able to assist you in your preparation phases. Contact us today for a complimentary quote or call us direct to speak to one of our consultants on 1300 820 847.
