A Guide to Interview Preparation
Perhaps the most frightening aspect of job hunts is the daunting interview process. Interview fear is a natural consequence of seeking acceptance and approval from others in particular from potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be a natural thing for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions about their work or prior successes. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the discomfort arising 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 scenario.
Interviews are the best means for the candidate to prove their capabilities are, their achievements, and potential. It’s been a while since you’ve made it through the first step, with your resume making an appearance on ATS scanners and your name getting a callback. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate further on your profile, work history as well as key abilities and experience is the equivalent of getting a entrance into the interview If you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified you increase your odds of passing through the next step of the selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews in case you’re experiencing doubts about speaking about your achievements. The practice is essential and luckily, interview questions can be practiced prior to the time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some suggestions you can apply to boost your chances of aceing that interview and impressing potential employers.
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions partly because they want to gain information, but also, in order to help you come out of potentially contentious topics and concerns. For instance, consider the question "Why are you leaving your current position?"
The answer could be due to management issues, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. No matter the answer however, the manner that you formulate your response will signal your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Respond honestly and explain your response using as much objectivity possible. This means eliminating all emotional responses, like responses based on feelings or emotions and do not have any basis in facts.
Other questions to prepare for are "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should we hire your services?", or trick questions such as "Why should us 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 follow with a brief explanation or a brief summary of why you responded a certain way. After that, you can add specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve thoroughly explained, go back to your original point.
Similarly, if you are requested to provide a description of your participation in a task or project it is possible to employ this method. STAR Method, which is often used when responding to selection criteria. If you are using STAR the first thing you need to do is write an scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the final result.
The body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation may be difficult, but you can always make sure you are practicing professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions of you and take note of your actions. Are you moving or fidgeting about nervously? Do you appear uneasy, aggressive or shut off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with your message you’re trying to convey? Do you show authenticity, openness and genuine enthusiasm?
Take a look at your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, you should read the job description once more. In the event that you’ve read the description and utilized the roles and duties listed in it to alter and personalize your resume and other documents for selection, it is important to think about the job description to clearly package yourself for the interviewer. Be upfront and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being realistic about your strengths will enable the interviewer to note your selling points as a potential client. However, signalling your intent to improve your weaknesses will also be important.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest for the position and the company. The best person to ask for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting from the job descriptions, or if you have concerns that weren’t answered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which typically are found in the job application or their general hiring page About section) Make sure to bring them up after the interview when the interviewer asks you to pose questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer include:
"How do I become the best person for the job, if I am offered the chance to work alongside members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway currently"
"What are the chances to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
The salary package and other benefits are usually advertised alongside the job (or within a set of options in the case of SEEK). However, interviewers could ask you how much you expect to earn. A good tip is to include a range that you’d like your pay to be based instead of giving an exact, fixed amount. Make sure to keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, a good range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 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.
These steps to prepare in your back pocket is essential to ensure you have the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, feel confident and courageous.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and certificates, as well as for interviews, please contact Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants can guide you through the interview preparation phases. Contact us today for a free quotation or contact us directly to speak with one our consultants on 1300 202 475.
