Ready Yourself for Interviews
Perhaps the most intimidating aspect of job hunts is the interview stage. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek acceptance and approval from others particularly from prospective employers. While speaking about themselves may be a natural thing for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions regarding their career or past successes. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked questions about their personal life interviews have turned out to be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the hiring process.
This doesn’t need to be the case.
Interviews are a crucial means for the candidate to demonstrate their skills, achievements, and potentials. You’ve completed the initial step with your resume passing an appearance on ATS scanners and your name being selected for an interview. The chance to show and elaborate on your profile, work history and the most important skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a way to get noticed and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re a good fit you increase your odds of getting through to the next step in the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews if you have fears about speaking about your achievements. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed before the date. The secret to successful interviews is preparation, and here are some tips that you can follow to boost your chances of aceing that interview and impressing future employers.
Get comfortable around tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, in part, to elicit information, but also, in order to help how you can get rid of potential contentious issues and concerns. Take for example the question "Why are you resigning from your current job?"
The answer to this question could be due to managerial issues, or worries with work-life balance, etc. Whatever the reason but the way that you formulate your answer will demonstrate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your answer with as much objectivity as can be. This means removing emotional responses like answers based on emotions or feelings that are not supported by evidence.
Other questions to consider include "What motivated you to apply for this position?", "Why should us choose to hire us?", or trick questions like "Why do 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. Start with your statement and follow with a brief reason or summary as to the reasons you responded in a certain manner. Then, add examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to the point you made earlier.
In the same way, if you’re requested to provide a description of your participation in a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could utilize an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding on selection criteria. When you use STAR the first thing you need to do is write an Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the result.
All it is in the body language
Acting naturally in a stressful situation may be difficult, but you can always make sure you are practicing professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions of you and observe your behavior. Are you shifting or fidgeting about with anxiety? Do you look stiff, standoffish, defensive or shut off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with what you want to convey? Do you display authenticity, openness, and genuine interest?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to your interview, you should read the description of the position. Assuming you read the job description and utilized the roles and responsibilities listed in it to alter and personalize your resume and other selection documents It is crucial to look at the job description and how you will package yourself for the interviewer. Be candid and open about your strengths and weaknesses. Being realistic about your strengths will enable the interviewer to notice your strengths as a prospect. However, announcing your intention to work on your weaknesses will be just as important.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest about the job and the company. The best person to approach to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you noticed something interesting within the description of your job or if you’ve got any questions that have not been answered through their FAQ or the guide questions (which can be 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 can I be the most suitable person for the job, should I be offered the chance to work alongside your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects on currently"
"What are the potential opportunities to advance and further education?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are typically advertised along with the position (or in a variety, in the case of SEEK). But, interviewers might inquire about the amount you expect to earn. One important tip is to provide a range in which you would like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact or set number. Keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing a wide margin. If, for instance, you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a good range would be anywhere in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Consider other perks and benefits in addition to these when you think about your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your back pocket is essential for ensuring you are in ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, self-assured, and be bold.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials , and also for interview preparation, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants can help you with your interview preparation stages. Contact us now for the complimentary quote or contact us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 993 659.
