A Guide to Interview Preparation
One of the most difficult aspect of job hunts is the daunting interview process. Interview fear is a natural result of wanting acceptance and approval from others particularly from prospective employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might come naturally to some people, others are apprehensive about being asked questions regarding their careers or their previous accomplishments. Perhaps because of modesty, or the fear of being asked to answer personal questions The interview process has evolved into an extremely stressful parts during the selection process.
It doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are the best opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their skills have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve been through the first step with your resume passing it through ATS scanners, and your name being considered for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate on your resume, experience, and key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified this increases your chances to be selected for the next stage of the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing concerns about presenting your personal achievements. It is important to practice to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed in advance. The key to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some tips that you can follow to boost your chances at nailing that interview and impressing your potential employers.
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions
Interviewers pose challenging questions mostly because they are trying to gather information, but also, because they want to see you get out of potentially contentious issues and worries. Consider, for instance, the question "Why are you leaving your current job?"
The reason for this could be due to problems with management, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer however, the manner that you express your answer will demonstrate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your response with the greatest objectivity can be. This means removing emotional responses like answers based on feelings or emotions and do not have any basis in facts.
Other questions to be prepared for include "What inspired you to apply for this role?", "Why should we choose your services?", or trick questions like "Why do us 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. Begin with your topic and follow up with a short note of the reason or reasons why you responded a certain way. After that, you can add instances or elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained, go back to your previous point.
If you’re asked to write about your involvement in a task or project then you can utilize to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to criteria for selection. When using STAR you will need to write the scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the result.
The body language
The ability to act naturally in difficult situation can be a challenge but it is possible to practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask questions of you and observe your behavior. Are you moving or fidgeting around with a nervousness? Do you look stiff, standoffish, defensive or shut off in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with your message you’re trying to make? Do you display sincerity, authenticity and genuine interest?
Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to your interview, ensure that you go over the description of the position. In the event that you’ve read the description and then used the roles and responsibilities outlined within to customize and modify your resume and other selection documents, it is important to consider the job description to honestly present yourself to the interviewer. Be open and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being realistic about your strengths will allow the interviewer to see your strengths as a potential client. However, signalling your intent to work on your weaknesses will also be notable.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the company. The most appropriate person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you have noticed something intriguing from the job descriptions, or if you have questions that have not been answered by their FAQ page or guide questions (which typically are found in the job description or the general page for hiring about section) You can raise them during the interview when the interviewer asks you to pose questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer:
"How do I become the most qualified person for this task, if given the opportunity to be part of the team?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline at the moment"
"What are the chances for advancement and further training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are often advertised with the position (or as part of a range if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could be interested in knowing what you are expecting. An important point to remember is to provide a range in which you’d like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact, fixed amount. Try to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing any wide range. For instance, if are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a sensible range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Consider other perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you are evaluating your salary expectations.
These steps to prepare in your back pocket is essential to ensure you have the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for interview preparation, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants are able to guide you through the interview preparation phases. Contact us now for the no-cost quote or phone us directly to speak with one our experts on 1300 202 475.
