A Guide to Interview Preparation
One of the most difficult aspects of job hunting is the dreaded interview round. It is a normal result of wanting to seek acceptance and approval from others in particular from potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may seem natural to certain people however, many are nervous about being asked questions regarding their careers or their previous accomplishments. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked questions that are personal to them Interviews have become among the more intimidating aspects during the selection process.
It doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are the best method 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 the cut through ATS scanners, and your name being selected for an interview. The chance to show and elaborate further on the profile of your employer, background, and key skills and abilities is the proverbial foot in the door: if you convince the interviewer you’re a good fit, it boosts your chances of passing the next phase of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with doubts about speaking about your own achievements. It is important to practice to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed prior to the time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some helpful tips you can implement to improve your chances at nailing that interview and impressing your future employers:
Get comfortable around tricky questions
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partly because they want to get information from you however, also because they want to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious questions and issues. Consider, for instance, the question "Why have you decided to quit your current job?"
The answer may be because of management issues, or concerns with work-life balance, etc. Whatever the reason however, the manner in which you phrase your response will signal your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your responses with as much objectivity as is possible. This means removing all emotional responses, like answers that are based purely on sentiments or feelings, and are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to consider are "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should we hire you?", or trick questions like "Why should be able to not employ you?" The key is to remain calm and plan your thoughts well.
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 manner. Add examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to your original point.
Similarly, if you are asked to describe your involvement in a task or project then you can employ the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to criteria for selection. If you are using STAR, you must state a Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the result.
All it is in the body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful environment can be difficult However, you can learn to communicate professionally. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions and note your mannerisms. Are you fidgeting or shifting around with a nervousness? Do you seem intimidating, stiff, defensive or shut off in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with your message you’re trying to convey? Do you display authenticity, openness and genuine enthusiasm?
Consider your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, make sure you read the job description again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume as well as other selection documents It is essential to look at the job description to honestly present yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being open regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your selling points as a prospective client. However, signalling your intent to improve your weaknesses will also be relevant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is to show genuine interest in the job and within the business. The best person to inquire 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 that have not been answered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or in their general hiring page About section) Make sure to bring them up during the interview, after your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer are:
"How do I become the best person for the task, if offered the chance to join members of your staff?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on currently"
"What are the possibilities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Other benefits and packages for salary are typically advertised along with the position (or within a set of options, for those applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could be interested in knowing what you expect to earn. The most important thing to do is include a range that you’d like your pay to fall instead of offering an exact, fixed amount. Be sure to keep the range tight instead of giving the possibility of a large margin. If, for instance, you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, an appropriate range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Also, be aware of other perks and benefits too and think about these when you think about your salary goals.
Inputting these steps into your back pocket is essential for ensuring you are in capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and be courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials , and also for interviews, please reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can assist you in your preparation stages. Contact us today for a complimentary quote or to call us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 257 381.
