Ace Your Interviews: Preparation Guide
The most difficult aspects of job hunting is the interview stage. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting the approval and support of others, especially from your prospective employers. While speaking about themselves may come naturally to some people however, many are nervous about being asked questions about their career or past successes. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the anxiety that comes from being asked to answer personal questions, the interview has become one of the most intimidating parts during the selection process.
This doesn’t need to be the case.
Interviews are the best way for the applicant to showcase their abilities, achievements, and potentials. You’ve been through the first step and your resume has made its way through ATS scanners and being shortlisted for an interview. This chance to present and further elaborate on your profile, work history and the most important skills and knowledge is the aforementioned way to get noticed when you convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate that increases your chances of passing through the next stage of the final selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interview questions if you’re struggling with fears about speaking about your own achievements. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed prior to the time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation, and here are some suggestions you can implement to improve your chances of aceing that interview and impressing your potential employers.
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partly because they want to gather information however, also because they want to help you come out of potential contentious issues and concerns. For instance, consider the question "Why do you want to leave your current job?"
The answer to the question may be because of managerial issues, or worries with work-life balance, etc. No matter the answer but the way the way you frame your answer will show your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your responses with as much objectivity as feasible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses , such as responses that are based solely on sentiments or feelings, and are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to consider include "What did you do to get this role?", "Why should we choose you?", or trick questions like "Why should be able to not take you on?" The key is to remain calm 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 then follow it up with a short note of the reason or reasons the reasons you responded in a certain way. Next, provide instances or elaborate. After you have explained thoroughly, go back to your previous point.
Also, if asked to write about your involvement in a task or project then you can use the STAR Method, which is often used when responding the selection requirements. When you use STAR the first thing you need to do is write a Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the result.
It’s all in body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful environment can be a daunting task however, you can practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to inquire about your concerns and observe your behavior. Are you moving or fidgeting about nervously? Do you seem uneasy, aggressive or reserved in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect your message you’re trying to convey? Do you show authenticity, openness and genuine interest?
Consider your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, you should review the description of the position. Assuming you read the job description and used the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to your resume and other documents for selection It is crucial to look at the job description in order to accurately describe yourself to the interviewer. Be candid and open about your strengths and weaknesses. Being open about your strengths can allow the interviewer to notice your unique selling points as a prospective client. However, announcing your intention to work on your weaknesses will be just as relevant.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest in the job and within the business. The best person to ask for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you have noticed something intriguing within the description of your job, or if you have concerns that weren’t answered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or in their general hiring page About section) You can raise them at the end of the interview, when your interviewer asks you to pose questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer include:
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the task, if given the chance to join you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline in the present"
"What are the possibilities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the job (or in a variety if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still inquire about the amount you anticipate earning. One important tip is to offer a range within which you’d like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact or set number. Be sure to keep the limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a any wide range. For instance, if you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a reasonable range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any other benefits and perks too and think about these when you consider your salary goals.
The preparation steps you have in your pocket is crucial for ensuring you are in ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, be self-assured, and be bold.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials and for interviews, please get in touch with Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants will be able to help you with your interview preparation phases. Contact us today to receive the free quote or call us direct to speak to one of our consultants at 08 9468 9176.
