Mastering Interview Readiness
One of the most difficult aspects of the job search is the dreaded interview round. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting acceptance and approval from others particularly from prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked questions about their professional or previous accomplishments. Perhaps out of modesty and the anxiety that comes from being asked to answer personal questions Interviews have become an extremely stressful parts in the process of hiring.
It doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are an important opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their skills as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You have already passed the first step by submitting your resume to its way through ATS scanners, and your name being shortlisted for an interview. This chance to present and further elaborate on one’s profile, employment history, and key skills and knowledge is the aforementioned way to get noticed and if you can convince the interviewer you’re qualified, it boosts your chances to be selected for the next step of the final selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with fears about speaking about your own achievements. The practice is essential to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed in advance. The key to a flawless interview is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can use to increase your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Get comfortable around tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, mostly because they are trying to get information from you and information, but also in order to help you come out of potentially contentious issues and issues. For instance, consider the question "Why are you leaving your current position?"
The answer to this question may be because of managerial issues, or worries regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason but the way that you express your response will signal your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your responses with as much objectivity as feasible. This includes removing all emotional responses, like responses based on feelings or emotions and do not have any basis in factual evidence.
Other important questions to ask include "What motivated you to apply for this job?", "Why should we choose the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions like "Why do we not take you on?" The key is to remain calm and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and follow up with a short argument or explanation of the reason you reacted in a particular manner. Next, provide instances or elaborate. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly, go back to your previous point.
If you’re asked to describe your involvement in a particular project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could apply this method. STAR Method, which is often used when responding to criteria for selection. When using STAR, you must state a scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken followed by the result.
It’s all in body language
Acting naturally in a stressful environment can be a daunting task, but you can always learn to communicate professionally. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a friend you trust to inquire about your concerns and take note of your actions. Are you fidgeting or shifting around in a tense manner? Do you appear stiff, standoffish, defensive or reserved in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the message you’re trying to make? Do you display genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, you should review the job description once more. In the event that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume and other selection documents It is crucial to consider the job description and how you will present yourself to the interviewer. Be honest and upfront about your strengths and weaknesses. Being realistic about your strengths will allow the interviewer to see your unique selling points as a prospect. However, showing your determination to address your weaknesses will be just as significant.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest for the position and the company. The most appropriate person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you have noticed something intriguing within the description of your job, or if you have questions that were left unanswered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are typically found within the job description or their general hiring page About section), raise these at the end of the interview, when your interviewer asks you to pose questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer include:
"How do I become the most suitable person for the task, if offered the chance to work alongside you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects on right now"
"What are the potential opportunities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the position (or on a list, for those applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still ask you how much you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to provide a range in which you would like your salary to be, rather than providing an exact or fixed number. Try to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing any wide range. If, for instance, you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a good range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Consider other perks and benefits as well and consider these when you are evaluating your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your back pocket is essential to ensure you have the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, be self-assured and be courageous.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials and for interviews, please contact Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can help you through your preparatory stages. Contact us now for a complimentary quote or phone us directly to speak with one our consultants at 1300 694 635.
