Optimizing Your Interview Preparation
A major and difficult aspects of job hunting is the daunting interview process. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek the approval and support of others and especially your potential employers. Although talking about oneself may be natural for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions regarding their professional or previous accomplishments. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked questions about their personal life The interview process has evolved into one of the biggest and most intimidating aspects in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are an important opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their skills have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. It’s been a while since you’ve been through the first step with your resume passing an appearance on ATS scanners and being selected for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate on your resume, experience and the most important skills and abilities is the proverbial step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer that you have what it takes that increases your chances of passing through to the next step in the selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews even if you’re having doubts about speaking about your achievements. The practice is essential and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed in advance. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can apply to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing future employers.
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers pose challenging questions partly because they want to get information from you, but also, in order to help you come out of potentially contentious issues and worries. For instance, consider the question "Why have you decided to quit your current role?"
The answer could be due to managerial issues, or worries about work-life balance. Whatever the reason, however, the manner that you express your response will signal your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Answer honestly and explain your response with as much objectivity as is possible. This means eliminating any emotional responses such as responses based on emotions or feelings and are not substantiated by factual evidence.
Other questions to be prepared for are "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should us choose to hire us?", or trick questions like "Why should us not take you on?" 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. Start with your statement and then provide a concise note of the reason or reasons the reasons you responded in a certain manner. Add instances or elaborate. After you have explained thoroughly the topic, return to your original point.
Also, if asked to describe your involvement in a particular project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could apply this method. STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond on selection criteria. When using STAR it is necessary to describe a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken then the Result.
The body language
Being natural in a stressful situation may be a tall order however, you can try to practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or have a trusted companion to ask questions and take note of your actions. Are you flitting or shifting around in a tense manner? Do you appear rigid, aloof, defensive or aloof in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with the point you are trying to convey? Do you convey authenticity, openness and genuine concern?
Consider your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, you should go over the job description over again. Assuming you read the job description and then used the roles and responsibilities outlined in it to alter and personalize your resume and other documents for selection, it is important to think about the job description to clearly describe yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being open about your strengths will enable the interviewer to notice your strengths as a potential customer. However, signalling your intent to work on your weaknesses will also be significant.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine enthusiasm about the job and the company. The best person to ask for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description or if you’ve got any questions not answered through their FAQ or guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or in their general hiring page About section) Bring them up during the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer:
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the task, if offered the chance to be part of your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline in the present"
"What are the chances to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Benefits and salary packages are typically advertised along with the job (or on a list, in the case of SEEK). However, the interviewer may be interested in knowing what you expect to earn. An important point to remember is to offer a range within which you’d like your pay to be, rather than providing an exact, fixed amount. Be sure to keep the limit to a narrow range instead of providing an expansive margin. For instance, if think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of other perks and benefits in addition to these when you are evaluating your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your pocket is crucial for ensuring you are in readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and be courageous.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, contact Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to help you with your interview preparation phases. Contact us today for your free quote or to call us directly to speak with one of our experts on 0800 024 129.
