Optimizing Your Interview Preparation
Perhaps the most daunting aspects of job hunting is the interview stage. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting to seek approval and validation from others, especially from your prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may be a natural thing for some however, many are nervous about being asked questions about their professional or previous successes. Perhaps because of modesty, or the anxiety that comes from being asked questions that are personal to them, the interview has become one of the most nerve-wracking parts during the selection process.
This doesn’t need to be the scenario.
Interviews are a great means for the candidate to prove their capabilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. It’s been a while since you’ve been through the first step by submitting your resume to its way through ATS scanners and you being considered for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate on the profile of your employer, background and the most important skills and knowledge is the aforementioned step to the front: if you convince the interviewer that you have what it takes this increases your chances of getting through the next phase of the final selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews in case you’re experiencing apprehensions about talking about your personal achievements. It is important to practice and, fortunately, interview questions can be practiced ahead of time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some tips that you can use to increase your chances at nailing that interview and impressing your future employers.
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partially because they wish to gain information however, also in order to help you come out of potential contentious issues and concerns. For instance, consider the question "Why are you resigning from your current position?"
The answer to this question could be due to problems with management, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. No matter the answer, however, the manner the way you frame your answer will demonstrate your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Respond honestly and explain your response in the most objective way is possible. This means eliminating any emotional responses , such as responses based on feelings or emotions and do not have any basis in facts.
Other questions to prepare for are "What did you do to get this role?", "Why should we hire you?", or trick questions like "Why should we not choose you?" The key is to not lose composure and arrange your thoughts with care.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and then provide a concise reason or summary as to why you responded a certain way. Then, add specific examples or provide more details. After you have explained thoroughly the topic, return to the point you made earlier.
In the same way, if you’re asked to write about your involvement in a particular project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could apply to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is often used when responding on selection criteria. When using STAR it is necessary to describe a scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the results.
All it is in the body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation could be difficult however, you can practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions of you and observe your behavior. Are you moving or fidgeting about nervously? Do you seem stiff, standoffish, defensive, or closed off in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with the message you’re trying to make? Do you display authenticity, openness and genuine concern?
Think about your strengths and weak points.
Prior to the interview, you should review the job description over again. If you have read the job description and utilized the roles and responsibilities listed in the description to make changes to your resume and other documents for selection It is essential to consider the job description in order to accurately prepare yourself for interviewers. Be open and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being realistic about your strengths will allow the interviewer to notice your unique selling points as a potential customer. However, announcing your intention to improve your weak points will be equally significant.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm about the job and the business. The best person to approach questions is your interviewer. If you have noticed something intriguing within the description of your job or you have questions that were left unanswered on their FAQ page or guide questions (which are typically found within the job application or their general hiring page about section) You can raise them at the end of the interview, when your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer:
"How do I become the best person for the jobif offered the chance to be part of your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline right now"
"What are the opportunities to further develop and learn?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
The salary package and other benefits are typically advertised along with the position (or within a set of options, if applying through SEEK). But, interviewers might be interested in knowing what you expect to earn. An important point to remember is to include a range that you would like your salary to be, rather than providing an exact or fixed number. Be sure to keep the limit to a narrow range instead of providing the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a good range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Be aware of any other perks and benefits as well and consider these when you are evaluating your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your purse is important for ensuring you are in capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured, and be bold.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment or credentials as well as interview preparation, you may reach out to Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants will be able to help you with your interview preparation steps. Contact us today to receive an free quotation or contact us directly to speak to one of our experts on 1300 993 659.
