Ready Yourself for Interviews
A major and difficult aspect of job hunts is the fear of an interview. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting the approval and support of others and especially your potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be a natural thing for some however, many are nervous about being asked questions regarding their career or past achievements. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort that comes with being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become one of the biggest and most nerve-wracking parts in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are an important way for the applicant to prove their capabilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You’ve already completed the initial step with your resume passing the cut through ATS scanners and your name getting a callback. This is the chance to showcase and further elaborate on your profile, work history, and key skills and knowledge is the aforementioned entrance into the interview and if you can convince the interviewer you’re qualified, it boosts your chances to be selected for the next phase of 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 personal achievements. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can implement to improve your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your future employers.
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions mostly because they are trying to gather information as well as in order to help you come out of potentially contentious questions and concerns. For instance, consider the question "Why are you resigning from your current job?"
The answer could be due to management concerns, or issues about work-life balance. No matter the answer however, the manner that you formulate the answer will indicate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your answer with the greatest objectivity can be. This means that you should eliminate emotional responses like responses based on feelings or sentiments and do not have any basis in facts.
Other questions to consider are "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should we choose you?", or trick questions such as "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. Begin with your topic and follow up with a short reason or summary as to the reason you reacted in a particular way. Add examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly, go back to your original point.
Similarly, if you are requested to provide a description of your participation on a project or task, you may utilize to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is often used when responding on selection criteria. When using STAR you will need to write the scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken then the final result.
It’s all in body language
Acting naturally in a difficult situation can be difficult, but you can always try to practice professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask you questions and note your mannerisms. Are you moving or fidgeting about with anxiety? Do you appear rigid, aloof, defensive or shut off in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the message you’re trying to convey? Do you show authenticity, openness and genuine interest?
Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses
Before you go to the interview, make sure you go over the job description over again. In the event that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities outlined in it to alter and personalize your resume as well as other selection documents It is imperative to think about the job description to honestly describe yourself to the interviewer. Be candid and open on your strength and weakness. Being realistic about your strengths can allow the interviewer to see your selling points as a prospect. However, showing your determination to improve your weaknesses is just as relevant.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest about the job and the business. The best person to inquire for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you noticed something interesting in the job description, or if you have concerns that weren’t answered through their FAQ or their guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or in their general hiring page about section) Make sure to bring them up at the conclusion of the interview when the interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer
"How do I become the most qualified person for this job, if I am offered the chance to work with your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects on in the present"
"What are the potential opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are usually advertised alongside the position (or in a variety, when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers could want to know what salary you are expecting. An important point to remember is to offer a range within which you’d like your pay to fall instead of offering an exact number or a set amount. Make sure to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing any wide range. If, for instance, you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a sensible range would be anywhere in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any additional perks and benefits in addition to these when you think about your salary goals.
Inputting these steps into your bag is vital to be prepared with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, feel confident and bold.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for interviews, please contact Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants are able to guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us now for an no-cost quote or call us direct to speak with one of our consultants at 1300 871 072.
