A Guide to Interview Preparation
A major and difficult aspect of job hunts is the fear of an interview. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be natural for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked personal questions interviews have turned out to be one of the biggest and most stressful parts in the process of hiring.
This does not have to be the situation.
Interviews are a great opportunity for applicants to prove their capabilities, achievements, and potentials. You have already completed the initial step with your resume passing it through ATS scanners and you being shortlisted for an interview. The chance to show and elaborate further on your resume, experience and the most important skills and expertise is the proverbial step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re a good fit, it boosts your chances of passing through to the next step in the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews even if you’re having concerns about presenting your own achievements. Practice is key and, fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can follow to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing prospective employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers ask challenging questions, partly because they want to get information from you and information, but also in order to help you get out of potentially contentious issues and concerns. Consider, for instance, the question "Why do you want to leave your current job?"
The answer to the question could be due to problems with management, or concerns about work-life balance. No matter the answer however, the manner that you express your response will signal your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your response with as much objectivity as feasible. This means removing emotional responses like answers that are based purely on sentiments or feelings, that are not supported by facts.
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 us not take you on?" The key is to stay calm and plan your thoughts well.
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 the reasons you responded in a certain way. Next, provide details or go into more detail. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly, go back to the point you made earlier.
If you’re asked to write about your involvement on a project or task, you may employ this method. STAR Method, which is often used when responding on selection criteria. When you use STAR it is necessary to describe a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the results.
The body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful environment can be a challenge however, you can practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions and note your mannerisms. Are you shifting or fidgeting about nervously? Are you looking intimidating, stiff, defensive or aloof in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match your message you’re trying to convey? Do you convey openness, sincerity and genuine enthusiasm?
Think about your strengths and weak points.
Before the interview, make sure you read the description of the position. Assuming you read the job description and applied the roles and responsibilities described within to customize and modify your resume and other selection documents It is essential to look at the job description in order to accurately describe yourself to the interviewer. Be honest and upfront concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being open about your strengths will enable the interviewer to notice your unique selling points as a potential customer. However, announcing your intention to address your weaknesses will also be notable.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest in the role and in the company. The best person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like on the resume or if you’ve got any questions not answered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or the general page for hiring about section) Bring them up 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 best person for the job, if I am offered the chance to work alongside you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on in the present"
"What are the possibilities for further development and training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are generally advertised with the position (or in a variety, when applying via SEEK). But, interviewers might ask you how much you are expecting. The most important thing to do is provide a range in which you would like your salary to fall rather than giving an exact or fixed number. Be sure to keep the range tight instead of giving a wide margin. For instance, if think you will earn $75,000 in a year, an appropriate range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anything in the range of $10,000. Be aware of any other perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you evaluate your salary expectations.
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 be courageous.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials , and also for interview preparation, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants will be able to guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us today for the complimentary quote or call us direct for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 993 659.
