Ready Yourself for Interviews
Perhaps the most frightening aspect of job hunts is the interview stage. It is a normal result of wanting approval and validation from others in particular from potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might seem natural to certain people, others are apprehensive about being asked about their work or prior achievements. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked questions about their personal life interviews have turned out to be one of the most stressful parts of the hiring process.
This does not have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a great method for applicants to prove their capabilities, achievements, and potentials. You have already passed the first step by submitting your resume to its way through ATS scanners, and your name being considered for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate upon one’s profile, employment history and the most important skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified that increases your chances to be selected for the next phase of the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews if you have doubts about speaking about your accomplishments. Training is the key to success to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be practiced prior to the time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some tips that you can use to increase your chances at nailing that interview and impressing prospective employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions
Interviewers pose challenging questions partially because they wish to gain information, but also, in order to help you come out of potentially contentious topics and issues. Take for example the question "Why have you decided to quit your current position?"
The answer to the question could be due to problems with management, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason but the way that you express your answer will demonstrate your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your reasoning using as much objectivity is possible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses , such as answers that are based purely on feelings or emotions and do not have any basis in factual evidence.
Other questions to consider include "What motivated you to apply for this position?", "Why should us choose to hire us?", or trick questions such as "Why should be able to 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. Lead with your point and follow with a brief explanation or a brief summary of the reason you reacted in a particular way. After that, you can add instances or elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained, go back to your previous point.
Also, if requested to provide a description of your participation in a task or project then you can use an approach called the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond to criteria for selection. In using STAR you will need to write the Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken then the result.
It’s all in body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful environment can be difficult However, you can learn to communicate professionally. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to inquire about your concerns and take note of your actions. Are you shifting or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you seem uneasy, aggressive or reserved in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect the message you’re trying to convey? Do you communicate sincerity, authenticity and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and weak points.
Prior to the interview, be sure to review the job description over again. In the event that you’ve read the description and then used the roles and responsibilities listed in it to alter and personalize your resume and other selection documents It is imperative to review the job description to honestly present yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest on your strength and weakness. Being truthful about your strengths will allow the interviewer to see your strengths as a potential client. However, announcing your intention to improve your weak points will be equally significant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine interest about the job and the business. The best person to inquire questions is your interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting on the resume or you have questions not answered on their FAQ page or their guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or in their general hiring page About section) Make sure to bring them up after the interview, after your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer:
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the job, should I be given the chance to work alongside you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities to further develop and learn?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Salary packages and other benefits 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’re expecting to earn. The most important thing to do is give a range of where you’d like your earnings to be based instead of giving an exact, fixed amount. Be sure to keep the range tight instead of giving any wide range. For instance, if expect to make $75,000 a year, an appropriate range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Be mindful of other benefits and perks in addition to these when you think about your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your pocket is crucial to be prepared with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for interview preparation, reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can assist you in your preparation steps. Contact us today to receive an no-cost quote or to call us directly to speak with one our experts on 1300 093 809.
