Mastering Interview Readiness
Perhaps the most intimidating aspects of job searching is the dreaded interview round. The fear of an interview is a natural consequence of seeking approval and validation from others in particular from potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked about their professional or previous successes. Perhaps because of modesty, or the anxiety that comes from being asked questions about their personal life interviews have turned out to be among the more intimidating aspects of the hiring process.
It doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are the best means for the candidate to showcase their abilities, achievements, and potentials. You’ve already been through the first step with your resume passing an appearance on ATS scanners and your name being selected for an interview. The chance to show and further elaborate on your profile, work history as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial foot in the door If you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified this increases your chances of getting through the next step of the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews even if you’re having fears about speaking about your personal achievements. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be practiced ahead of time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some helpful tips you can use to increase your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your future employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions.
Interviewers ask challenging questions, in part, to elicit information and information, but also because they want to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious issues and worries. Consider, for instance, the question "Why are you resigning from your current job?"
The answer to the question may be because of problems with management, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. No matter the answer however, the manner the way you frame your answer will show your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your response with as much objectivity as possible. This means eliminating any emotional responses such as responses based on sentiments or feelings, and are not substantiated by facts.
Other questions to prepare for include "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should us choose to hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions like "Why do we not hire you?" The key is to remain calm and arrange your thoughts with care.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and then follow it up with a short argument or explanation of why you responded a certain way. Next, provide instances or elaborate. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly, go back to the previous section.
Also, if required to explain your participation on a project or task it is possible to apply to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to criteria for selection. When you use STAR the first thing you need to do is write an context,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the final result.
The body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation may be a daunting task However, you can try to practice professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or have a trusted companion to ask questions of you and observe your body language. Are you shifting or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you appear stiff, standoffish, defensive or aloof 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 display genuineness, honesty and genuine enthusiasm?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to your interview, be sure to review the description of the position. Assuming that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume and other selection documents, it is important to consider the job description to clearly describe yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being truthful about your strengths will allow the interviewer to notice your strengths as a potential customer. However, showing your determination to improve your weaknesses will also be important.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm about the job and the business. The best person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like on the resume or if you have concerns that weren’t answered through their FAQ or guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or in their general hiring page about section) Make sure to bring them up after the interview, when your interviewer asks you to pose questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer include:
"How do I become the most qualified person for this job, should I be given the chance to work with members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects on currently"
"What are the possibilities for further development and training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are typically advertised along with the job (or in a variety, if applying through SEEK). However, the interviewer may inquire about the amount you anticipate earning. An important point to remember is to give a range of where you’d like your pay to fall instead of offering an exact, fixed amount. Try to keep your range tight instead of giving an expansive margin. For instance, if are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, an appropriate range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of additional perks and benefits in addition to these when you consider your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your back pocket is essential to ensure you have the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured, and be bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents or credentials as well as the preparation for your interview, contact Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants are able to help you with your interview preparation steps. Contact us today to receive an free quotation or contact us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 871 072.
