Mastering Interview Readiness

A major and daunting aspects of the job search is the fear of an interview. The fear of an interview is a natural consequence of seeking recognition and acceptance from other people, especially from your prospective employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might seem natural to certain people but others feel nervous about being asked questions regarding their work or prior successes. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort that comes with being asked personal questions interviews have turned out to be an extremely intimidating aspects during the selection process.

This does not have to be the situation.

Interviews are an important method for applicants to show that their competencies are, their achievements, and potential. It’s been a while since you’ve completed the initial step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners and being shortlisted for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate upon your resume, experience and the most important skills and knowledge is the aforementioned entrance into the interview If you can convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate, it boosts your chances of passing through the next phase of the selection process.

There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews in case you’re experiencing apprehensions about talking about your accomplishments. It is important to practice and luckily, interview questions can be practiced prior to the time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some tips that you can use to increase your chances of nailing the interview and impressing future employers.

Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions

Interviewers pose challenging questions partly because they want to gather information as well as since they want to help you come out of potentially contentious questions and issues. Consider, for instance, the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"

The answer to the question could be due to management concerns, or issues about work-life balance. No matter the answer but the way that you formulate your answer will demonstrate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your answer with as much objectivity as possible. This means removing all emotional responses, like responses based on feelings or sentiments that are not supported by facts.

Other questions to prepare for include "What made you apply for this job?", "Why should we hire you?", or trick questions like "Why should we not hire you?" The key is to remain calm and arrange your thoughts with care.

Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and follow with a brief explanation or a brief summary of why you responded a certain manner. Next, provide examples or further elaborate. After you have explained thoroughly, go back to the point you made earlier.

Similarly, if you are requested to provide a description of your participation in a particular project or task then you can use the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding on selection criteria. If you are using STAR you will need to write a scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the results.

It’s all in the body language

Acting naturally in a stressful situation may be difficult, but you can always practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions and note your mannerisms. Are you moving or fidgeting about with anxiety? Do you look intimidating, stiff, defensive or aloof in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the point you are trying to make? Do you convey genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?

Be aware of your strengths and your weaknesses.

Before the interview, you should review the job description once more. In the event that you’ve read the description and utilized the roles and responsibilities listed in the description to make changes to your resume and other selection documents It is imperative to think about the job description in order to accurately describe yourself to the interviewer. Be honest and upfront about your strengths and weaknesses. Being open about your strengths will allow interviewers to recognize your strengths as a potential customer. However, announcing your intention to improve your weaknesses is just as important.

Prepare questions

Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the role and in the company. The best person to approach to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting within the description of your job, or if you have any questions that have not been answered through their FAQ or their guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or in the general page for hiring about section) You can raise them after the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer include:

"How can I be the best person for the job, if I am given the chance to work with you and your colleagues?"

"Does the company have any major projects underway right now"

"What are the possibilities to advance and further education?"

Know your salary expectations

The salary package and other benefits are usually advertised alongside the job (or as part of a range if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still be interested in knowing what you expect to earn. A good tip is to give a range of where you’d like your salary to be, rather than providing an exact or set number. Be sure to keep the limit to a narrow range instead of providing any wide range. For instance, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, a sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Be mindful of other perks and benefits in addition to these when you consider your salary goals.

These steps to prepare in your back pocket is essential to equip yourself with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.

For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials and for the preparation for your interview, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants will be able to assist you in your preparation phases. Contact us today to receive the no-cost quote or call us direct to speak to one of our consultants at 1300 995 142.

Additional Information

• Why having a standout resume is key in a competitive job market
• Mastering the Job Application Process: A Comprehensive Guide to Writing Winning Resumes, CVs, Cover Letters, and LinkedIn Profiles
• Resume for Nail Technician Bendigo
• Resume for a Lab Technician in Bendigo
• The Art of Persuasion: How a Professional Cover Letter and Resume Wins Over Employers