Ace Your Interviews: Preparation Guide
A major and difficult aspect of job hunts is the daunting interview process. Interview fear is a natural consequence of seeking the approval and support of others, especially from your prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may come naturally to some people but others feel nervous about being asked questions about their professional or previous achievements. Perhaps because of modesty, or the discomfort arising from being asked questions about their personal life interviews have turned out to be an extremely stressful parts in the process of hiring.
It doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a crucial means for the candidate to show that their competencies have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve passed the first step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners and your name being considered for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate upon one’s profile, employment history as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial foot in the door If you can convince the interviewer that you have what it takes that increases your chances of getting through the next stage of the final selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews in case you’re experiencing concerns about presenting your personal achievements. The practice is essential and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed in advance. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some helpful tips you can apply to boost your chances at nailing that interview and impressing future employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions
Interviewers pose challenging questions partially because they wish to get information from you and information, but also in order to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious issues and issues. Consider for instance the question "Why are you leaving your current job?"
The reason for this could be due to problems with management, or concerns with work-life balance, etc. No matter the answer but the way in which you phrase your response will signal your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your response with as much objectivity as possible. This means removing emotional responses like responses based on feelings or emotions and are not supported by evidence.
Other important questions to ask include "What made you apply for this role?", "Why should us choose to hire us?", or trick questions like "Why should you not employ you?" The key is to stay calm and arrange your thoughts with care.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Start with your statement and follow up with a short argument or explanation of why you responded a certain way. Add instances or elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained the topic, return to the point you made earlier.
Also, if requested to provide a description of your participation on a project or task it is possible to use an approach called the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond to criteria for selection. When you use STAR, you must state a scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the final result.
The body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful environment can be a tall order but it is possible to learn to communicate professionally. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask questions of you and take note of your actions. Are you fidgeting or shifting around with a nervousness? Do you seem uneasy, aggressive or aloof in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with your message you’re trying to make? Do you convey authenticity, openness and genuine interest?
Take a look at your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before the interview, be sure to review the job description over again. Assuming you read the job description and used the roles and responsibilities outlined within to customize and modify your resume as well as other selection documents It is crucial to review the job description and how you will present yourself to the interviewer. Be open and honest on your strength and weakness. Being open about your strengths can allow interviewers to recognize your unique selling points as a potential client. But, indicating your intention to address your weaknesses will be just as notable.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the business. The best person to approach for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you have noticed something intriguing on the resume, or if you have any questions that were left unanswered on their FAQ page or guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or in the general page for hiring About section) Bring them up during the interview, when your interviewer asks you to pose questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer:
"How do I become the most suitable person for the jobif given the chance to join the team?"
"Does the company have any major projects on at the moment"
"What are the chances for further development and training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are often advertised with the job (or as part of a range, if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still be interested in knowing what you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to include a range that you’d like your earnings to be based instead of giving an exact or fixed number. Be sure to keep the limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a an expansive margin. If, for instance, you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a reasonable range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Consider other perks and benefits as well and consider these when you think about your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your bag is vital to ensure you have the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident, and be bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, reach out to Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants will be able to guide you through the interview preparation steps. Contact us today to receive the no-cost quote or phone us directly to speak with one of our consultants at 1300 567 415.
