A Guide to Interview Preparation
Perhaps the most intimidating aspect of job hunts is the fear of an interview. Interview fear is a natural result of wanting to seek recognition and acceptance from other people and especially your potential employers. Although talking about oneself may be natural for some, others are apprehensive about being asked questions regarding their professional or previous successes. Perhaps because of modesty, or the fear of being asked to answer personal questions, the interview has become one of the most intimidating aspects in the process of hiring.
This does not have to be the situation.
Interviews are an important way for the applicant to demonstrate their skills have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. It’s been a while since you’ve passed the first step by submitting your resume to the cut through ATS scanners and you getting a callback. This chance to present and elaborate further on one’s profile, employment history, and key skills and knowledge is the aforementioned step to the front If you can convince the interviewer you’re a good fit this increases your chances of getting through the next phase of the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews even if you’re having fears about speaking about your accomplishments. Training is the key to success to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed prior to the time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some suggestions you can apply to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your future employers:
Get comfortable around tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partially because they wish to elicit information however, also because they want to help you come out of potential contentious issues and concerns. Consider for instance the question "Why are you resigning from your current job?"
The answer to this question may be because of management concerns, or issues about work-life balance. No matter the answer but the way the way you frame your answer will demonstrate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your response with the greatest objectivity possible. This means removing any emotional responses , such as responses based on feelings or emotions that are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to consider are "What motivated you to apply for this job?", "Why should we hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions like "Why do we not employ you?" The key is to not lose composure and plan your thoughts well.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and then follow it up with a short reason or summary as to why you responded a certain manner. Next, provide examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to your previous point.
Also, if asked to describe your involvement in a task or project, you may apply an approach called the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to selection criteria. If you are using STAR it is necessary to describe a scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken as well as the Result.
All it is in the body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation may be a tall order 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 you questions and note your mannerisms. Are you shifting or fidgeting around with a nervousness? Do you appear intimidating, stiff, defensive, or closed off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with the point you are trying to convey? Do you communicate genuineness, honesty and genuine concern?
Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to the interview, ensure that you go over the job description again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and utilized the roles and duties listed in it to alter and personalize your resume and other document of selection It is essential to think about the job description to clearly prepare yourself for interviewers. Be candid and open on your strength and weakness. Being honest regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to notice your strengths as a prospective client. But, indicating your intention to address your weaknesses will also be notable.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm about the job and the company. The best person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you have noticed something intriguing within the description of your job or you have concerns that weren’t answered through their FAQ or guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or the general page for hiring about section) You can raise them after the interview, after your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer include:
"How do I become the most qualified person for this job, should I be offered the chance to be part of the team?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline right now"
"What are the opportunities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
The salary package and other benefits are generally advertised with the job (or as part of a range in the case of SEEK). But, interviewers might inquire about the amount you’re expecting to earn. One important tip is to provide a range in which you’d like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact, fixed amount. Keep your range tight instead of giving an expansive margin. For example, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a reasonable range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Consider additional perks and benefits too and think about these when you are evaluating your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital to ensure you have the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials and for the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants will be able to help you with your interview preparation steps. Contact us now for a free quote or to call us directly to speak with one of our consultants at 1300 202 475.
