Interview Readiness Blueprint
One of the most frightening aspects of job hunting is the interview stage. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting approval and validation from others in particular from potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may seem natural to certain people however, many are nervous about being asked questions regarding their careers or their previous achievements. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort arising from being asked questions that are personal to them interviews have turned out to be one of the biggest and most intimidating aspects in the process of hiring.
It doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a great method for applicants to showcase their abilities have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You have already completed the initial step, with your resume making its way through ATS scanners and your name being considered for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate further on your profile, work history and the most important skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a entrance into the interview: if you convince the interviewer you’re qualified you increase your odds of passing through to the next step in the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with apprehensions about talking about your own achievements. The practice is essential and luckily, 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 prospective employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions mostly because they are trying to elicit information, but also, because they want to help you come out of potential contentious issues and worries. For instance, consider the question "Why have you decided to quit your current position?"
The answer could be due to management issues, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason, however, the manner that you formulate the answer will indicate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your reasoning with the greatest objectivity possible. This means removing any emotional responses such as responses based on feelings or emotions and are not substantiated by actual facts.
Other questions to prepare for are "What inspired you to apply for this job?", "Why should we choose us?", or trick questions such as "Why do we not take you on?" The key is to stay calm and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and then follow it up with a short reason or summary as to why you responded a certain way. Then, add specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly you can go back to your previous point.
If you’re asked to write about your involvement in a project or task then you can employ this method. STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to criteria for selection. When you use STAR, you must state a Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken as well as the result.
It’s all in the body language
Being natural in a stressful environment can be difficult but it is possible to make sure you are practicing professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask you questions and observe your body language. Are you fidgeting or shifting around in a tense manner? Do you appear intimidating, stiff, defensive or shut off in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with what you want to make? Do you communicate openness, sincerity and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before the interview, make sure you go over the description of the position. Assuming that you’ve read the description and then used the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume and other selection documents, it is important to review the job description in order to accurately package yourself for the interviewer. Be honest and upfront on your strength and weakness. Being truthful about your strengths will enable the interviewer to note your unique selling points as a prospective client. However, announcing your intention to improve your weaknesses will also be relevant.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine interest about the job and the business. The best person to inquire for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting on the resume or you have concerns that weren’t answered through their FAQ or the guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or in their general hiring page About section) Bring them up after the interview, when your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer include:
"How do I become the most suitable person for the jobif offered the chance to join members of your staff?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on in the present"
"What are the possibilities for further development and training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are often advertised with the job (or in a variety, if applying through SEEK). However, the interviewer may want to know what salary you’re expecting to earn. One important tip is to include a range that you’d like your earnings to fall rather than giving an exact number or a set amount. Try to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a reasonable range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of other perks and benefits as well and consider these when you think about your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital for ensuring you are in readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident and courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, you may reach out to Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants are able to guide you through the interview preparation steps. Contact us today for the no-cost quote or call us direct to speak with one our consultants on 1300 995 142.
