Steps to Interview Readiness
A major and difficult aspects of job hunting is the fear of an interview. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting approval and validation from others in particular from potential employers. While speaking about themselves may seem natural to certain people however, many are nervous about being asked questions regarding their professional or previous achievements. Perhaps because of modesty, or the discomfort arising from being asked questions that are personal to them Interviews have become among the more intimidating aspects that are required to hire.
This does not have to be the situation.
Interviews are the best opportunity for applicants to showcase their abilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You’ve already passed the first step and your resume has made the cut through ATS scanners and being shortlisted for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate on one’s profile, employment history as well as key abilities and knowledge is the aforementioned way to get noticed and if you can convince the interviewer you’re qualified you increase your odds of passing through the next phase 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 achievements. Training is the key to success and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some helpful tips you can implement to improve your chances at nailing that interview and impressing your future employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions.
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions partially because they wish to elicit information as well as because they want to see you come out of potentially contentious questions and worries. Take for example the question "Why do you want to leave your current role?"
The answer to this question could be due to problems with management, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason, however, the manner that you express your response will signal your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Answer honestly and explain your responses with as much objectivity as feasible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses , such as answers based on emotions or feelings and are not substantiated by evidence.
Other questions to consider include "What did you do to get this role?", "Why should we hire your services?", or trick questions such as "Why do be able to not hire 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. Start with your statement and then follow it up with a short reason or summary as to the reason you reacted in a particular manner. Next, provide instances or elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained the topic, return to the point you made earlier.
Also, if required to explain your participation on a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could utilize to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to selection criteria. When you use STAR it is necessary to describe an Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the results.
It’s all in body language
Being natural in a stressful situation may be a tall order, but you can always try to practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions and note your mannerisms. Are you fidgeting or shifting around in a tense manner? Do you look rigid, aloof, defensive, or closed off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with what you want to convey? Do you display genuineness, honesty and genuine enthusiasm?
Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.
Prior to the interview, be sure to read the job description again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume as well as other selection documents, it is important to think about the job description in order to accurately present yourself to the interviewer. Be open and honest concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being open about your strengths will enable interviewers to recognize your unique selling points as a prospect. But, indicating your intention to address your weaknesses will be just as notable.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest for the position and the business. The best person to inquire for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting on the resume, or you have concerns that weren’t answered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are typically found within the job application or their general hiring page About section), raise these at the conclusion of the interview, when your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer are:
"How can I be the most qualified person for this job, should I be given the opportunity to be part of members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline currently"
"What are the potential opportunities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Other benefits and packages for salary are often advertised with the position (or as part of a range if applying through SEEK). But, interviewers might want to know what salary you expect 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, fixed amount. Keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a any wide range. If, for instance, you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a reasonable choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of additional perks and benefits in addition to these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
The preparation steps you have in your bag is vital to equip yourself with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, confident, and confident and bold.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials and for interview preparation, contact Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to help you through your preparatory steps. Contact us today for a free quotation or to call us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 871 072.
