Mastering Interview Readiness
The most frightening aspect of job hunts is the daunting interview process. It is a normal consequence of seeking recognition and acceptance from other people and especially your potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might seem natural to certain people, others are apprehensive about being asked about their professional or previous achievements. Perhaps due to modesty or the fear of being asked questions that are personal to them Interviews have become among the more intimidating parts in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are an important way for the applicant to prove their capabilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. It’s been a while since you’ve made it through the first step with your resume passing an appearance on ATS scanners and you getting a callback. The chance to show and elaborate on the profile of your employer, background as well as the key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a foot in the door If you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified, it boosts your chances of passing to the next step in the selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interview questions if you’re struggling with doubts about speaking about your own achievements. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be practiced ahead of time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can use to increase your chances at nailing that interview and impressing future employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, in part, to elicit information however, also because they want to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious topics and issues. Consider for instance the question "Why are you leaving your current job?"
The answer may be because of management issues, or concerns with work-life balance, etc. Whatever the reason but the way that you formulate your answer will demonstrate your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your reasoning using as much objectivity can be. This means removing emotional responses like responses that are based solely on feelings or sentiments and are not supported by actual facts.
Other important questions to ask are "What made you apply for this role?", "Why should us choose to hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions like "Why do you not take you on?" 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. Start with your statement and then follow it up with a short note of the reason or reasons why you responded a certain way. Then, add specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve thoroughly explained, go back to your previous point.
Similarly, if you are requested to provide a description of your participation in a particular project or task then you can apply the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond the selection requirements. When you use STAR it is necessary to describe the Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the Result.
All it is in the body language
Behaving naturally in a difficult situation can be a tall order, but you can always make sure you are practicing professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or have a trusted companion to ask questions and note your mannerisms. Are you flitting or shifting about with anxiety? Do you appear uneasy, aggressive or aloof in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with what you want to convey? Do you communicate authenticity, openness and genuine interest?
Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to your interview, be sure to review the job description once more. Assuming you read the job description and then used the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to your resume and other selection documents It is essential to think about the job description to clearly prepare yourself for interviewers. Be candid and open regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being realistic about your strengths can allow the interviewer to notice your strengths as a potential customer. However, announcing your intention to address your weaknesses will also be important.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the company. The best person to approach to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you’ve noticed something you like within the description of your job or if you’ve got any questions not answered by their FAQ page or their guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or the general page for hiring About section) Make sure to bring them up after the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer include:
"How do I become the most qualified person for this jobif given the opportunity to join members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects on currently"
"What are the chances for further development and training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Salary packages and other benefits are usually advertised alongside the position (or on a list when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers may still want to know what salary you’re expecting to earn. A good tip is to give a range of where you’d like your earnings to be based instead of giving an exact or set number. Make sure to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a any wide range. For instance, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, a good choice would be anything from the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of other benefits and perks also and take these into consideration when you think about your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your pocket is crucial to be prepared with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident and courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials and for interview preparation, you may contact Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants will be able to help you with your interview preparation stages. Contact us today for a complimentary quote or to call us directly to speak with one our consultants on 1300 567 415.
