Mastering Interview Readiness

Posted by Melbourne Professional Resume Writers on 4 Oct 2024

Perhaps the most frightening aspects of job searching is the fear of an interview. Interview fear is a natural result of wanting acceptance and approval from others particularly from prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may be a natural thing for some, others are apprehensive about being asked questions about their careers or their previous successes. Perhaps because of modesty, or the discomfort arising from being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become an extremely intimidating parts that are required to hire.

This does not have to be the situation.

Interviews are the best way for the applicant to demonstrate their skills, achievements, and potentials. You have already made it through the first step by submitting your resume to its way through ATS scanners and your name being considered for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate further on the profile of your employer, background and the most important skills and abilities is the proverbial way to get noticed: if you convince the interviewer that you’re a good fit that increases your chances of passing through the next stage of the selection process.

It is a good idea to prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing fears about speaking about your accomplishments. Training is the key to success to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed before the date. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some tips that you can implement to improve your chances of aceing that interview and impressing your prospective employers:

Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.

Interviewers pose challenging questions partly because they want to gather information, but also, because they want to see how you can get rid of potentially contentious topics and issues. Consider for instance the question "Why have you decided to quit your current position?"

The answer could be due to managerial issues, or worries with work-life balance, etc. No matter the answer but the way in which you phrase the answer will indicate your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Answer honestly and explain your answer with as much objectivity as is possible. This includes removing any emotional responses , such as responses that are based solely on feelings or emotions that are not supported by evidence.

Other questions to be prepared for are "What did you do to get this role?", "Why should we hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions like "Why should we not employ 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. Begin with your topic and follow with a brief reason or summary as to why you chose to respond in a specific way. Add details or go into more detail. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly, go back to your original point.

Also, if required to explain your participation on a project or task then you can utilize the STAR Method, which is often used when responding the selection requirements. When using STAR the first thing you need to do is write a Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken as well as the results.

All it is in the body language

Behaving naturally in a stressful situation could be difficult However, you can make sure you are practicing professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions and observe your body language. Are you flitting or shifting around in a tense manner? Do you seem uneasy, aggressive or reserved in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the point you are trying to convey? Do you communicate authenticity, openness and genuine concern?

Think about your strengths and weak points.

Prior to the interview, ensure that you go over the job description again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and responsibilities described within to customize and modify your resume and other document of selection It is crucial to consider the job description to clearly package yourself for the interviewer. Be honest and upfront concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being honest about your strengths will enable the interviewer to notice your selling points as a prospective client. However, showing your determination to address your weaknesses will be just as relevant.

Prepare questions

Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine interest for the position and the company. The best person to inquire to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you have noticed something intriguing within the description of your job, or if you’ve got any questions that were left unanswered by 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 your interviewer invites you to ask questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer include:

"How can I be the best person for the job, if I am given the chance to be part of you and your colleagues?"

"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline at the moment"

"What are the chances for advancement and further training?"

Know your salary expectations

Other benefits and packages for salary are often advertised with the position (or within a set of options, if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could ask you how much you anticipate earning. A good tip is to provide a range in which you’d like your earnings to be based instead of giving an exact, fixed amount. Make sure to keep your range tight instead of giving an expansive margin. For instance, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a reasonable range is anywhere between the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Also, be aware of other perks and benefits too and think about these when you consider your salary expectations.

The preparation steps you have in your bag is vital for ensuring you are in readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident and courageous.

To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us now for your free quotation or phone us directly to speak with one of our experts on 1300 567 415.

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