Interview Preparation Tactics
One of the most difficult aspect of job hunts is the fear of an interview. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking acceptance and approval from others particularly from prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may seem natural to certain people but others feel nervous about being asked questions about their professional or previous successes. Perhaps due to modesty or the fear of being asked to answer personal questions interviews have turned out to be one of the biggest and most nerve-wracking parts in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t need to be the scenario.
Interviews are the best opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their skills as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. It’s been a while since you’ve passed the first step, with your resume making an appearance on ATS scanners and you being considered for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate upon one’s profile, employment history as well as the key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a entrance into the interview and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re a good fit you increase your odds of passing through to the next step in the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews if you have concerns about presenting your personal achievements. It is important to practice and, fortunately, interview questions can be practiced ahead of time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can use to increase your chances at nailing that interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, in part, to gather information as well as since they want to help you come out of potentially contentious questions and concerns. Take for example the question "Why have you decided to quit your current job?"
The answer to this question could be due to problems with management, or concerns about work-life balance. No matter the answer however, the manner that you formulate your answer will show your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your reasoning in the most objective way possible. This means removing any emotional responses such as responses based on feelings or sentiments and are not substantiated by facts.
Other important questions to ask include "What did you do to get this role?", "Why should we choose you?", or trick questions such as "Why do you not hire you?" The key is to remain calm and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Begin with your topic and then provide a concise reason or summary as to the reasons you responded in a certain manner. After that, you can add specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly you can go back to the point you made earlier.
If you’re required to explain 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 commonly used to respond the selection requirements. When using STAR it is necessary to describe an scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the results.
It’s all in body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful situation may be a tall order but it is possible to practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or have a trusted companion to inquire about your concerns and observe your body language. Are you moving or fidgeting around with a nervousness? Are you looking intimidating, stiff, defensive, or closed off in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match the message you’re trying to make? Do you show authenticity, openness and genuine interest?
Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.
Prior to the interview, ensure that you review the description of the position. In the event that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities listed in it to alter and personalize your resume and other document of selection It is imperative to think about the job description in order to accurately prepare yourself for interviewers. Be candid and open concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being realistic about your strengths can allow interviewers to recognize your selling points as a prospect. However, signalling your intent to address your weak points will be equally important.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the role and in the business. The most appropriate person to ask is the interviewer. If you have noticed something intriguing on the resume, or if you have any concerns that weren’t answered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or in the general page for hiring about section), raise these at the conclusion of the interview, when your interviewer asks you to pose questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the jobif offered the chance to be part of your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects on right now"
"What are the chances to further develop and learn?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Other benefits and packages for salary are generally advertised with the job (or in a variety, in the case of SEEK). However, interviewers may still 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, rather than providing an exact number or a set amount. Try to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a an expansive margin. For example, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a sensible range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anything in the range of $10,000. Be mindful of other benefits and perks too and think about these when you evaluate your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your pocket is crucial to equip yourself with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and be courageous.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for the preparation for your interview, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can help you through your preparatory phases. Contact us today for a free quotation or phone us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 093 809.
