Ready Yourself for Interviews
The most frightening aspect of job hunts is the dreaded interview round. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting to seek recognition and acceptance from other people and especially your potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may seem natural to certain people however, many are nervous about being asked questions about their careers or their previous successes. Perhaps due to modesty or the anxiety that comes from being asked to answer personal questions Interviews have become one of the biggest and most nerve-wracking parts in the process of hiring.
This does not have to be the case.
Interviews are the best opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their skills have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. It’s been a while since you’ve completed the initial step, with your resume making its way through ATS scanners, and your name being considered for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate on your resume, experience as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial entrance into the interview when you convince the interviewer you’re a good fit you increase your odds of passing through the next step of the final selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews if you have concerns about presenting your own achievements. The practice is essential to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be practiced prior to the time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can use to increase your chances of aceing that interview and impressing prospective employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers pose challenging questions partially because they wish to get information from you, but also, because they want to see you navigate your way out of potentially contentious topics and worries. For instance, consider the question "Why are you leaving your current position?"
The answer to this question could be due to management issues, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason but the way that you formulate your response will signal your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your response with the greatest objectivity feasible. This includes removing all emotional responses, like answers based on feelings or emotions and do not have any basis in actual facts.
Other questions to consider are "What motivated you to apply for this position?", "Why should be hiring us?", or trick questions like "Why do us not choose you?" The key is not to lose your cool and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and follow with a brief argument or explanation of the reasons you responded in a certain manner. Then, add specific examples or provide more details. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly you can go back to the previous section.
If you’re asked to write about your involvement in a particular project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could apply this method. STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to selection criteria. When you use STAR the first thing you need to do is write an situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the result.
The body language
Acting naturally in a difficult situation can be a tall order but it is possible to practice professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or have a trusted companion to inquire about your concerns and observe your body language. Are you fidgeting or shifting around in a tense manner? Do you seem uneasy, aggressive or shut off in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with what you want to make? Do you show sincerity, authenticity and genuine enthusiasm?
Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses
Before you go to the interview, be sure to go over the job description once more. If you have read the job description and utilized the roles and responsibilities outlined within to customize and modify your resume as well as other selection documents It is essential to review the job description in order to accurately describe yourself to the interviewer. Be candid and open on your strength and weakness. Being realistic about your strengths can allow the interviewer to note your strengths as a potential client. However, showing your determination to address your weaknesses will also be important.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest about the job 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 within the description of your job or you have questions that have not been answered through their FAQ or the guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or in their general hiring page about section) Bring them up during the interview when the 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 alongside your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway currently"
"What are the potential opportunities to further develop and learn?"
Know your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the position (or on a list, for those applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could be interested in knowing what you anticipate earning. An important point to remember is to include a range that you would like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact number or a set amount. Keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a the possibility of a large margin. For example, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a good range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of other benefits and perks in addition to these when you are evaluating your salary goals.
Inputting these steps into your pocket is crucial to equip yourself with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and be courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents or credentials as well as interview preparation, contact Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can help you through your preparatory steps. Contact us today for a free quote or to call us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 871 072.
