Mastering Interview Readiness
A major and intimidating aspects of job searching is the fear of an interview. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking approval and validation from others particularly from prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may come naturally to some people, others are apprehensive about being asked questions about their professional or previous accomplishments. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the fear of being asked questions about their personal life The interview process has evolved into one of the most intimidating aspects that are required to hire.
This doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are an important way for the applicant to prove their capabilities have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You have already been through the first step with your resume passing its way through ATS scanners and you being considered for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate on your profile, work history as well as key abilities and expertise is the proverbial step to the front If you can convince the interviewer you’re a good fit that increases your chances of passing the next stage of the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews even if you’re having concerns about presenting your achievements. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be practiced prior to the time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can implement to improve your chances of nailing the interview and impressing future employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions partly because they want to gain information, but also, because they want to see you get out of potential contentious issues and worries. Take for example the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"
The answer to this question could be due to problems with management, or concerns about work-life balance. No matter the answer but the way the way you frame the answer will indicate your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Answer honestly and explain your reasoning in the most objective way can be. This means that you should eliminate all emotional responses, like responses that are based solely on emotions or feelings that are not supported by facts.
Other questions to consider are "What motivated you to apply for this position?", "Why should we choose you?", or trick questions such as "Why do we not hire you?" The key is to not lose composure and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and follow up with a short explanation or a brief summary of why you responded a certain manner. Add instances or elaborate. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly you can go back to your original point.
Also, if requested to provide a description of your participation in a task or project, you may use an approach called the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond the selection requirements. When you use STAR, you must state a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the Result.
The body language
Acting naturally in a difficult situation can be a tall order However, you can learn to communicate professionally. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask you questions and note your mannerisms. Are you moving or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you look rigid, aloof, defensive or reserved in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect what you want to convey? Do you communicate authenticity, openness and genuine enthusiasm?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to your interview, you should read the job description again. In the event that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and responsibilities described therein to modify and customise your resume and other selection documents It is essential to think about the job description to honestly prepare yourself for interviewers. Be upfront and honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Being honest regarding your strengths will allow interviewers to recognize your unique selling points as a potential client. However, signalling your intent to improve your weaknesses is just as significant.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the job and within the company. The best person to approach questions is your interviewer. If you noticed something interesting within the description of your job, or if you’ve got any questions that were left unanswered on their FAQ page or guide questions (which are typically found within the job application or the general page for hiring About section) Bring them up after the interview, when your interviewer asks you to pose questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer are:
"How do I become the most suitable person for the job, if I am offered the chance to join members of your staff?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on in the present"
"What are the opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Other benefits and packages for salary are usually advertised alongside the position (or on a list when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers could be interested in knowing what you expect to earn. A good tip is to offer a range within which you’d like your pay to fall rather than giving an exact or fixed number. Keep your range tight instead of giving a wide margin. For instance, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a sensible range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of other perks and benefits too and think about these when you think about your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your back pocket is essential to equip yourself with the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and be courageous.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials , and also for interview preparation, you may get in touch with Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants are able to guide you through the interview preparation steps. Contact us today to receive the free quote or call us direct for a chat with one of our consultants on 0800 024 129.
