Mastering Interview Readiness
Perhaps the most difficult aspects of job hunting is the dreaded interview round. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking recognition and acceptance from other people in particular from potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked questions regarding their career or past successes. Perhaps out of modesty and the fear of being asked to answer personal questions interviews have turned out to be one of the most stressful parts that are required to hire.
This doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are the best method for applicants to show that their competencies, achievements, and potentials. You have already made it through the first step and your resume has made it through ATS scanners and you being shortlisted for an interview. The chance to show and elaborate upon your profile, work history as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial entrance into the interview If you can convince the interviewer that you have what it takes, it boosts your chances of passing to the next step in the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews if you have apprehensions about talking about your accomplishments. It is important to practice, and fortunately, interview questions can be practiced prior to the time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can use to increase your chances at nailing that interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Get comfortable around tricky questions.
Interviewers ask challenging questions, mostly because they are trying to gain information and information, but also because they want to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious topics and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why do you want to leave your current role?"
The reason for this may be because of managerial issues, or worries regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason however, the manner that you formulate your answer will demonstrate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your response in the most objective way can be. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses such as answers based on feelings or emotions and do not have any basis in actual facts.
Other questions to prepare for include "What motivated you to apply for this position?", "Why should be hiring your services?", or trick questions like "Why do you not choose you?" The key is to not lose composure and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and then follow it up with a short argument or explanation of the reason you reacted in a particular manner. Next, provide details or go into more detail. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly, go back to your original point.
Also, if asked to write about your involvement in a task or project then you can apply the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to selection criteria. In using STAR you will need to write an scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the results.
It’s all in body language
Being natural in a stressful environment can be a daunting task, but you can always learn to communicate professionally. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to inquire about your concerns and observe your behavior. Are you flitting or shifting about with anxiety? Do you seem stiff, standoffish, defensive or reserved in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with your message you’re trying to convey? Do you convey openness, sincerity and genuine enthusiasm?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, you should go over the description of the position. If you have read the job description and applied the roles and responsibilities listed within to customize and modify your resume and other documents for selection It is imperative to look at the job description and how you will prepare yourself for interviewers. Be honest and upfront about your strengths and weaknesses. Being honest about your strengths can allow the interviewer to notice your strengths as a prospect. However, announcing your intention to address your weaknesses will also be notable.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an 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’ve seen something that’s interesting within the description of your job or if you have any concerns that weren’t answered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or in the general page for hiring about section) You can raise them during the interview when the interviewer asks you to pose questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer are:
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the task, if given the opportunity to be part of your team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on in the present"
"What are the potential opportunities to further develop and learn?"
Know your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are generally advertised with the job (or within a set of options, if applying through SEEK). But, interviewers might inquire about the amount you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to provide a range in which you’d like your earnings to fall rather than giving an exact or fixed number. Try to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a the possibility of a large margin. If, for instance, you expect to make $75,000 a year, a sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of additional perks and benefits as well and consider these when you think about your salary goals.
Inputting these steps into your bag is vital to ensure you have the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and bold.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for interviews, please contact Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants are able to assist you in your preparation steps. Contact us today for your free quotation or to call us directly for a chat with one of our consultants on 1300 093 809.
