A Guide to Interview Preparation
One of the most intimidating aspect of job hunts is the fear of an interview. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting to seek recognition and acceptance from other people particularly from prospective employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may come naturally to some people but others feel nervous about being asked about their career or past successes. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort that comes with being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become one of the biggest and most intimidating aspects of the hiring process.
This does not have to be the case.
Interviews are a great means for the candidate to prove their capabilities are, their achievements, and potential. You’ve already passed the first step, with your resume making the cut through ATS scanners and your name being selected for an interview. The chance to show and further elaborate on your profile, work history and the most important skills and abilities is the proverbial step to the front: if you convince the interviewer you’re the right candidate that increases your chances of getting through to the next step in the final selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews even if you’re having apprehensions about talking about your accomplishments. The practice is essential to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be practiced before the date. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some suggestions you can apply to boost your chances at nailing that interview and impressing potential employers.
Get comfortable around tricky questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions in part, to gather information however, also because they want to see you get out of potentially contentious questions and concerns. Consider, for instance, the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"
The reason for this could be due to management concerns, or issues about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason, however, the manner the way you frame your answer will demonstrate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your answer using as much objectivity can be. This means removing any emotional responses such as responses that are based solely on feelings or sentiments and are not substantiated by actual facts.
Other questions to consider include "What motivated you to apply for this position?", "Why should we choose your services?", or trick questions like "Why do we not take you on?" 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. Begin with your topic and follow with a brief explanation or a brief summary of why you responded a certain manner. Add examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained the topic, return to the previous section.
Also, if asked to describe your involvement on a project or task then you can use the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond the selection requirements. If you are using STAR, you must state the scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken followed by the results.
The body language
Acting naturally in a stressful situation may be a daunting task, but you can always practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or have a trusted companion to ask you questions and take note of your actions. Are you moving or fidgeting around with a nervousness? Are you looking intimidating, stiff, defensive or reserved in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match your message you’re trying to make? Do you show genuineness, honesty, and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, ensure that you go over the job description once more. If you have read the job description and then used the roles and responsibilities described within to customize and modify your resume and other selection documents It is crucial to review the job description to clearly present yourself to the interviewer. Be honest and upfront regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being realistic about your strengths will enable the interviewer to note your selling points as a potential client. However, showing your determination to improve your weak points will be equally relevant.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the job and within the company. The best person to inquire is the interviewer. If you noticed something interesting in the job description, or if you have any questions that have not been answered through their FAQ or their guide questions (which are usually found in the job application or the general page for hiring About section), raise these during the interview, after your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer:
"How do I become the most suitable person for the jobif given the opportunity to work alongside you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on currently"
"What are the opportunities for further development and training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Salary packages and other benefits are generally advertised with the job (or as part of a range when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers may still want to know what salary you’re expecting to earn. The most important thing to do is include a range that you’d like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact or fixed number. Try to keep your range tight instead of giving an expansive margin. For instance, if anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a good range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Consider additional perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you evaluate your salary goals.
The preparation steps you have in your back pocket is essential to ensure you have the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, confident, and confident and bold.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment or credentials as well as interview preparation, you may get in touch with Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to help you through your preparatory phases. Contact us today for the free quotation or phone us directly to speak to one of our experts on 1300 257 381.
