Strategies for Interview Success
Perhaps the most daunting aspects of job searching is the daunting interview process. Interview fear is a natural consequence of seeking recognition and acceptance from other people and especially your potential employers. While speaking about themselves may be a natural thing for some but others feel nervous about being asked about their professional or previous successes. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked personal questions, the interview has become one of the biggest and most stressful parts during the selection process.
This doesn’t need to be the situation.
Interviews are the best way for the applicant to show that their competencies have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You have already been through the first step and your resume has made its way through ATS scanners and getting a callback. The chance to show and elaborate upon your profile, work history as well as the key skills and knowledge is the aforementioned foot in the door If you can convince the interviewer you’re qualified that increases your chances of getting through the next step of the final selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews in case you’re experiencing apprehensions about talking about your own achievements. Training is the key to success and, fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some tips that you can use to increase your chances at nailing that interview and impressing future employers:
Get comfortable around tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, in part, to get information from you, but also, because they want to see how you can get rid of potentially contentious topics and issues. Take for example the question "Why do you want to leave your current role?"
The answer could be due to management concerns, or issues regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason, however, the manner in which you phrase the answer will indicate your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Respond honestly and explain your response in the most objective way feasible. This means that you should eliminate all emotional responses, like responses based on feelings or emotions that are not supported by factual evidence.
Other important questions to ask are "What motivated you to apply for this position?", "Why should we hire us?", or trick questions like "Why do us not employ you?" 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. Lead with your point and then provide a concise explanation or a brief summary of why you chose to respond in a specific manner. Then, add details or go into more detail. After you have explained thoroughly, go back to your original point.
Similarly, if you are asked to describe your involvement in a particular project or task it is possible to employ this method. STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond on selection criteria. When using STAR you will need to write a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the Result.
It’s all in body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation may be a daunting task However, you can try to practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions of you and observe your body language. Are you fidgeting or shifting about nervously? Do you look rigid, aloof, defensive or aloof in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match what you want to convey? Do you convey openness, sincerity, and genuine interest?
Consider your strengths and weak points.
Prior to your interview, ensure that you go over the job description over again. Assuming you read the job description and used the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume and other selection documents It is crucial to think about the job description to honestly present yourself to the interviewer. Be honest and upfront on your strength and weakness. Being truthful about your strengths will allow interviewers to recognize your selling points as a prospective client. However, signalling your intent to work on your weaknesses is just as important.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the job and within the business. The most appropriate person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like from the job descriptions, or you have questions that were left unanswered through their FAQ or the guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or in their general hiring page About section) Bring them up during the interview, after your interviewer asks you to pose questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer
"How can I be the most suitable person for the task, if given the opportunity to work with members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway at the moment"
"What are the possibilities for advancement and further training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the position (or on a list, if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still ask you how much 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. Try to keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a a wide margin. If, for instance, you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a good range would be in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any additional perks and benefits in addition to these when you think about your salary expectations.
The preparation steps you have in your purse is important to be prepared with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and be courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment or credentials as well as interviews, please get in touch with Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants can help you with your interview preparation steps. Contact us today to receive a no-cost quote or phone us directly to speak with one of our experts on 0800 024 129.
