Ready Yourself for Interviews
A major and difficult aspect of job hunts is the fear of an interview. Interview fear is a natural consequence of seeking the approval and support of others in particular from potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be natural for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions about their work or prior accomplishments. Perhaps out of modesty and the fear of being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become among the more nerve-wracking parts during the selection process.
This doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are a great means for the candidate to demonstrate their skills, achievements, and potentials. You have already made it through the first step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners and your name getting a callback. This is the chance to showcase and further elaborate on your resume, experience, and key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer you have what it takes, it boosts your chances of passing the next phase of the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews if you have concerns about presenting your accomplishments. It is important to practice and luckily, interview questions can be practiced ahead of time. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can use to increase your chances at nailing that interview and impressing your future employers.
Be comfortable with difficult questions
Interviewers ask challenging questions, mostly because they are trying to gain information however, also because they want to see you navigate your way out of potential contentious issues and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"
The reason for this 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 demonstrate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your responses with the greatest objectivity can be. This means removing emotional responses like answers based on emotions or feelings and are not supported by evidence.
Other questions to prepare for are "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should we choose us?", or trick questions like "Why should be able to not employ you?" The key is to not lose composure and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Begin with your topic and follow up with a short reason or summary as to the reasons you responded in a certain way. Add instances or elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to the point you made earlier.
Similarly, if you are asked to describe your involvement in a particular project or task it is possible to employ this method. STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to criteria for selection. When using STAR you will need to write a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the Result.
The body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation could be difficult but it is possible to make sure you are practicing professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions of you and observe your body language. Are you moving or fidgeting about nervously? Do you seem stiff, standoffish, defensive, or closed off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with the message you’re trying to make? Do you communicate openness, sincerity and genuine interest?
Take a look at your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, be sure to review the job description again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and then used the roles and responsibilities outlined in it to alter and personalize your resume as well as other selection documents, it is important to review the job description to clearly present yourself to the interviewer. Be honest and upfront on your strength and weakness. Being open about your strengths will allow the interviewer to see your strengths as a prospect. However, announcing your intention to improve your weaknesses is just as important.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is to show genuine interest in the job and within the business. The most appropriate 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 that were left unanswered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or in their general hiring page About section), raise these at the conclusion of the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer
"How do I become the most suitable person for the task, if given the opportunity to be part of you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Salary packages and other benefits are usually advertised alongside the position (or on a list, if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could be interested in knowing what you are expecting. A good tip is to offer a range within which you would like your salary to fall rather than giving an exact or fixed number. Make sure to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing any wide range. For instance, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a reasonable choice would be anything from the $73,000-$80,000 range or anything in the range of $10,000. Be aware of any other perks and benefits too and think about these when you are evaluating your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your purse is important to ensure you have the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident and bold.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for interview preparation, contact Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants will be able to assist you in your preparation stages. Contact us today to receive an no-cost quote or call us direct for a chat with one of our consultants at 1300 326 135.
