Prepping Effectively for Interviews
One of the most daunting aspects of the job search is the fear of an interview. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting acceptance and approval from others in particular from potential employers. Although talking about oneself may be natural for some however, many are nervous about being asked questions about their careers or their previous achievements. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort that comes with being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become one of the biggest and most intimidating aspects in the process of hiring.
It doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are the best opportunity for applicants to show that their competencies have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve been through the first step with your resume passing the cut through ATS scanners and being considered for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate further on one’s profile, employment history as well as key abilities and abilities is the proverbial entrance into the interview If you can convince the interviewer you have what it takes you increase your odds of passing through to the next step in the selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing fears about speaking about your personal achievements. It is important to practice to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed prior to the time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some tips that you can apply to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your future employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partly because they want to elicit information as well as because they want to help you come out of potentially contentious issues and concerns. For instance, consider the question "Why do you want to leave your current position?"
The answer to this question may be because of management issues, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason however, the manner that you formulate your answer will demonstrate your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your answer with the greatest objectivity feasible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses , such as answers that are based purely on feelings or emotions that are not supported by facts.
Other questions to consider are "What made you apply for this job?", "Why should we hire you?", or trick questions such as "Why should 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 up with a short argument or explanation of why you chose to respond in a specific way. After that, you can add examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly you can go back to the point you made earlier.
Also, if required to explain your participation in a project or task it is possible to employ the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond the selection requirements. When you use STAR, you must state the context,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken then the Result.
The body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful situation may be a tall order however, you can learn to communicate professionally. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions and observe your behavior. Are you moving or fidgeting about with anxiety? Are you looking uneasy, aggressive or aloof in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the point you are trying to make? Do you convey openness, sincerity and genuine enthusiasm?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, be sure to read the job description again. If you have read the job description and applied the roles and responsibilities outlined in the description to make changes to your resume as well as other selection documents It is essential to consider the job description to honestly prepare yourself for interviewers. Be open and honest on your strength and weakness. Being honest about your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your unique selling points as a prospect. But, indicating your intention to work on your weaknesses is just as relevant.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest for the position and the business. The best person to inquire for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you have noticed something intriguing within the description of your job, or if you have any questions not answered on their FAQ page or guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or in their general hiring page about section) Bring them up after the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer
"How do I become the most qualified person for this job, if I am offered the chance to join you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline at the moment"
"What are the chances to advance and further education?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the position (or within a set of options, for those applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still be interested in knowing what you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to provide a range in which you would like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact or set number. Keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing an expansive margin. If, for instance, you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a good range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Consider other perks and benefits in addition to these when you think about your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your back pocket is essential to equip yourself with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, feel confident and be courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment or credentials as well as interviews, please get in touch with Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants are able to assist you in your preparation steps. Contact us today for your free quotation or to call us directly to speak with one of our consultants at 0800 024 129.
