Steps to Interview Readiness
Perhaps the most difficult aspects of job hunting is the interview stage. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting the approval and support of others in particular from potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may seem natural to certain people but others feel nervous about being asked questions about their careers or their previous successes. Perhaps because of modesty, or the anxiety that comes from being asked to answer personal questions interviews have turned out to be among the more nerve-wracking parts in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a great way for the applicant to show that their competencies are, their achievements, and potential. It’s been a while since you’ve been through the first step and your resume has made its way through ATS scanners, and your name getting a callback. The chance to show and elaborate on one’s profile, employment history as well as the key skills and knowledge is the aforementioned entrance into the interview and if you can convince the interviewer you’re qualified this increases your chances of passing through the next stage of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews if you have concerns about presenting your achievements. Practice is key to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be practiced in advance. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some tips that you can follow to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing future employers.
Get comfortable around tricky questions.
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions in part, to get information from you however, also in order to help you come out of potentially contentious topics and worries. For instance, consider the question "Why have you decided to quit your current position?"
The reason for this may be because of management concerns, or issues regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason but the way in which you phrase your answer will demonstrate your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your answer using as much objectivity can be. This means removing all emotional responses, like answers that are based purely on feelings or emotions and are not substantiated by factual evidence.
Other important questions to ask are "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should we choose you?", or trick questions like "Why should you not take you on?" The key is to remain calm 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 note of the reason or reasons why you chose to respond in a specific way. Then, add examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained the topic, return to your previous point.
Also, if asked to describe your involvement in a task or project, you may employ an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to selection criteria. If you are using STAR you will need to write an Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the final result.
The body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation could be a challenge however, you can make sure you are practicing professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions and take note of your actions. Are you moving or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you appear uneasy, aggressive or shut off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match the point you are trying to convey? Do you communicate sincerity, authenticity and genuine concern?
Take a look at your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, ensure that you read the job description again. If you have read the job description and utilized the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to your resume and other selection documents It is imperative to review the job description to clearly prepare yourself for interviewers. Be upfront and honest concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being truthful about your strengths will allow the interviewer to notice your selling points as a prospective client. However, announcing your intention to work on your weaknesses is just as notable.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is to show genuine interest about the job and the company. The best person to inquire for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you noticed something interesting from the job descriptions or if you have any questions that were left unanswered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are usually found in the job application or their general hiring page About section) Bring them up at the end of the interview when the interviewer asks you to pose questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer:
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the job, if I am given the chance to join members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline right now"
"What are the chances to further develop and learn?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are often advertised with the position (or within a set of options, in the case of 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 be, rather than providing an exact, fixed amount. Try to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing the possibility of a large margin. For example, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a good range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any additional perks and benefits too and think about these when you are evaluating your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your back pocket is essential to equip yourself with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents or credentials as well as the preparation for your interview, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants are able to guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us now for a complimentary quote or call us direct to speak with one of our consultants at 1300 257 381.
