Ready Yourself for Interviews
One of the most frightening aspect of job hunts is the interview stage. It is a normal result of wanting to seek acceptance and approval from others, especially from your prospective employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be a natural thing for some however, many are nervous about being asked about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps because of modesty, or the anxiety that comes from being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become one of the most stressful parts of the hiring process.
This doesn’t need to be the scenario.
Interviews are a crucial method for applicants 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 being selected for an interview. The chance to show and elaborate upon your resume, experience and the most important skills and expertise is the proverbial foot in the door when you convince the interviewer you have what it takes this increases your chances of passing through the next step of the selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews if you have fears about speaking about your personal achievements. It is important to practice to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be practiced ahead of time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some helpful tips you can implement to improve your chances of aceing that interview and impressing your potential employers.
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions.
Interviewers ask challenging questions, partly because they want to gather information however, also because they want to help you navigate your way out of potentially contentious issues and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why are you leaving your current role?"
The answer to the question may be because of problems with management, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. No matter the answer, however, the manner the way you frame your response will signal your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your reasoning in the most objective way feasible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses , such as responses that are based solely on emotions or feelings and are not substantiated by evidence.
Other important questions to ask include "What made you apply for this position?", "Why should we hire you?", or trick questions like "Why do you not employ you?" 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. Introduce your idea and follow with a brief note of the reason or reasons why you responded a certain manner. Next, provide specific examples or provide more details. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly, go back to your original point.
Similarly, if you are required to explain your participation in a particular 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 to criteria for selection. When you use STAR you will need to write a context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the result.
It’s all in body language
Being natural in a stressful situation could be a tall order, but you can always learn to communicate professionally. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to inquire about your concerns and observe your behavior. Are you shifting or fidgeting about nervously? Do you look rigid, aloof, defensive or reserved in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with your message you’re trying to convey? Do you show openness, sincerity and genuine interest?
Consider your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, you should go over the job description once more. Assuming you read the job description and applied the roles and responsibilities listed in it to alter and personalize your resume and other document of selection It is crucial to review the job description and how you will package yourself for the interviewer. Be upfront and honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Being open about your strengths will allow interviewers to recognize your strengths as a prospect. However, showing your determination to work on your weaknesses is just as significant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the business. The best person to ask is the interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like on the resume, or if you have any questions that were left unanswered through their FAQ or guide questions (which can be found in the job description or the general page for hiring About section), raise these after the interview when the 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, if I am offered the chance to be part of your team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the chances to advance and further education?"
Know your salary expectations
Other benefits and packages for salary are typically advertised along with the position (or as part of a range when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers may still inquire about the amount you’re expecting to earn. One important tip is to provide a range in which you’d like your earnings to fall instead of offering an exact or fixed number. Keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing an expansive margin. For instance, if you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, an appropriate range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of other benefits and perks too and think about these when you are evaluating your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your back pocket is essential to ensure you have the ability to tackle the most difficult 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 highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants will be able to help you with your interview preparation steps. Contact us today to receive the free quote or to call us directly to speak with one our consultants at 1300 261 665.
