Prepping Effectively for Interviews
One of the most difficult aspects of job hunting is the fear of an interview. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked questions about their work or prior achievements. Perhaps due to modesty or the anxiety that comes from being asked questions about their personal life Interviews have become an extremely nerve-wracking parts that are required to hire.
This doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a crucial means for the candidate to demonstrate their skills, achievements, and potentials. You’ve been through the first step with your resume passing the cut through ATS scanners and you being considered for an interview. The chance to show and elaborate upon one’s profile, employment history, and key skills and abilities is the proverbial entrance into the interview and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate, it boosts your chances to be selected for the next step of the final selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with fears about speaking about your accomplishments. It is important to practice, and fortunately, interview questions can be practiced ahead of time. The key to a flawless interview is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can use to increase your chances of aceing that interview and impressing future employers.
Be comfortable with difficult questions
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partly because they want to get information from you as well as because they want to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious issues and worries. Take for example the question "Why do you want to leave your current position?"
The reason for this may be because of managerial issues, or worries regarding work-life balance, for instance. No matter the answer, however, the manner in which you phrase the answer will indicate your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Answer honestly and explain your answer with as much objectivity as possible. This means eliminating any emotional responses such as responses that are based solely on emotions or feelings and do not have any basis in facts.
Other questions to be prepared for are "What inspired you to apply for this role?", "Why should be hiring us?", or trick questions like "Why do us not choose you?" 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 follow with a brief explanation or a brief summary of why you chose to respond in a specific way. Add specific examples or provide more details. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly the topic, return to the previous section.
Also, if asked to write about your involvement in a task or project it is possible to employ the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding the selection requirements. In using STAR, you must state a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the Result.
It’s all in the body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful situation may be a challenge but it is possible to practice professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions and take note of your actions. Are you moving or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you look stiff, standoffish, defensive or aloof in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect the point you are trying to make? Do you convey sincerity, authenticity, and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, be sure to review the job description once more. If you have read the job description and applied the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume and other document of selection It is crucial to consider the job description in order to accurately present yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest on your strength and weakness. Being truthful about your strengths can allow the interviewer to note your selling points as a prospective client. However, signalling your intent to improve your weaknesses is just as important.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine interest in the role and in the company. The best person to approach to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you’ve noticed something you like on the resume, or if you’ve got any questions that have not been answered on their FAQ page or their guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or in their general hiring page about section) You can raise them after the interview, after your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer:
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the task, if given the opportunity to join you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects on at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the job (or as part of a range, for those applying through SEEK). However, the interviewer may ask you how much you anticipate earning. An important point to remember is to provide a range in which you would like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact, fixed amount. Be sure to keep the range as narrow as possible instead of offering a a wide margin. For instance, if you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a reasonable range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of additional perks and benefits as well and consider these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
Inputting these steps into your bag is vital for ensuring you are in confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident and courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials and for interview preparation, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants will be able to guide you through the interview preparation phases. Contact us today to receive the free quote or phone us directly to speak with one our experts on 1300 257 381.
