Strategies for Interview Success
Perhaps the most daunting aspect of job hunts is the daunting interview process. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek acceptance and approval from others, especially from your prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may seem natural to certain people, others are apprehensive about being asked questions regarding their career or past achievements. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become among the more intimidating aspects during the selection process.
This doesn’t need to be the situation.
Interviews are the best means for the candidate to prove their capabilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You’ve made it through the first step and your resume has made its way through ATS scanners and your name being shortlisted for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate on one’s profile, employment history as well as key abilities and knowledge is the aforementioned entrance into the interview If you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified, it boosts your chances of passing the next step of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews if you have apprehensions about talking about your achievements. It is important to practice to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be practiced ahead of time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can use to increase your chances at nailing that interview and impressing prospective employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions partly because they want to elicit information as well as since they want to help you navigate your way out of potentially contentious questions and issues. For instance, consider the question "Why are you leaving your current role?"
The reason for this could be due to problems with management, or concerns about work-life balance. No matter the answer however, the manner that you express your answer will show your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your reasoning with as much objectivity as can be. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses , such as answers that are based purely on feelings or emotions and are not substantiated by facts.
Other important questions to ask include "What inspired you to apply for this job?", "Why should we choose us?", or trick questions like "Why should we not hire you?" The key is not to lose your cool and plan your thoughts well.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Start with your statement and then follow it up with a short note of the reason or reasons why you responded a certain manner. Next, provide specific examples or provide more details. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly, go back to your original point.
Also, if asked to write about your involvement in a task or project then you can apply to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is often used when responding the selection requirements. If you are using STAR the first thing you need to do is write an situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the final result.
All it is in the body language
The ability to act naturally in difficult situation can be a tall order however, you can make sure you are practicing professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions and note your mannerisms. Are you shifting or fidgeting around with a nervousness? Do you seem intimidating, stiff, defensive, or closed off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the message you’re trying to make? Do you show openness, sincerity, and genuine interest?
Consider your strengths and weak points.
Before the interview, ensure that you read the job description once more. If you have read the job description and utilized the roles and responsibilities listed in it to alter and personalize your resume and other documents for selection It is crucial to review the job description in order to accurately describe yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being truthful about your strengths will enable the interviewer to see your strengths as a prospective client. But, indicating your intention to work on your weaknesses is just as important.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest in the job and within the company. The best person to approach is the interviewer. If you have noticed something intriguing in the job description, or if you’ve got any questions that have not been answered through their FAQ or the guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or their general hiring page About section) Bring them up during the interview when the interviewer asks you to pose questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer include:
"How can I be the most suitable person for the jobif given the chance to work alongside members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects on currently"
"What are the opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are usually advertised alongside the position (or as part of a range, if applying through SEEK). However, the interviewer may ask you how much you are expecting. One important tip is to offer a range within which you would like your salary to be, rather than providing an exact or fixed number. Try to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a an expansive margin. For instance, if anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a reasonable choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of other benefits and perks too and think about these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your purse is important for ensuring you are in capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and be courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials , and also for interviews, please reach out to Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants are able to help you through your preparatory steps. Contact us now for your free quote or to call us directly to speak with one of our consultants at 1300 326 135.
