A Guide to Interview Preparation
A major and difficult aspects of job searching is the dreaded interview round. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be a natural thing for some, others are apprehensive about being asked questions about their work or prior accomplishments. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked personal questions, the interview has become one of the most intimidating aspects in the process of hiring.
This does not have to be the case.
Interviews are a crucial way for the applicant to show that their competencies, achievements, and potentials. You’ve already made it through the first step by submitting your resume to it through ATS scanners and your name getting a callback. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate upon the profile of your employer, background as well as key abilities and experience is the equivalent of getting a foot in the door and if you can convince the interviewer you’re qualified, it boosts your chances of passing the next step of the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with doubts about speaking about your achievements. Practice is key and, fortunately, interview questions can be practiced prior to the time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can implement to improve your chances at nailing that interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Get comfortable around tricky questions
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partly because they want to gain information and information, but also because they want to see you navigate your way out of potentially contentious issues and worries. Consider, for instance, the question "Why are you resigning from your current position?"
The reason for this may be because of management issues, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason however, the manner in which you phrase your answer will show your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your answer in the most objective way feasible. This means removing any emotional responses such as responses that are based solely on sentiments or feelings, and are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to be prepared for include "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should be hiring you?", or trick questions such as "Why do we not employ 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 note of the reason or reasons why you chose to respond in a specific way. After that, you can add details or go into more detail. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly, go back to your previous point.
If you’re required to explain your participation in a task or project then you can employ an approach called the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond to criteria for selection. If you are using STAR, you must state the Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the result.
The body language
Being natural in a difficult situation can be difficult However, you can make sure you are practicing professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask questions of you and note your mannerisms. Are you moving or fidgeting around with a nervousness? Do you look stiff, standoffish, defensive or shut off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with the point you are trying to make? Do you display genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to the interview, you should read the description of the position. If you have read the job description and utilized the roles and responsibilities outlined in the description to make changes to your resume and other document of selection It is essential to consider the job description in order to accurately package yourself for the interviewer. Be candid and open about your strengths and weaknesses. Being honest about your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your strengths as a potential customer. However, signalling your intent to address your weak points will be equally significant.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine interest about the job and the company. The best person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description or if you have any questions that were left unanswered through their FAQ or the guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or the general page for hiring About section) Make sure to bring them up after the interview when the interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the job, if I am offered the chance to be part of you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities for further development and training?"
Know your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are generally advertised with the job (or within a set of options when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers may still inquire about the amount you are expecting. The most important thing to do is give a range of where you’d like your earnings to be based instead of giving an exact number or a set amount. Be sure to keep the limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a an expansive margin. If, for instance, you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, an appropriate range would be in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Consider other benefits and perks in addition to these when you think about your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital to equip yourself with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, confident, and confident and be courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for interviews, please get in touch with Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants are able to assist you in your preparation phases. Contact us today to receive an free quote or call us direct to speak to one of our experts on 0800 024 129.
