Prepping Effectively for Interviews
A major and daunting aspects of job hunting is the dreaded interview round. It is a normal result of wanting to seek acceptance and approval from others, especially from your prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may seem natural to certain people but others feel nervous about being asked questions regarding their professional or previous successes. Perhaps because of modesty, or the discomfort arising from being asked questions about their personal life interviews have turned out to be an extremely intimidating parts of the hiring process.
This does not have to be the case.
Interviews are a great opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their skills, achievements, and potentials. You have already passed the first step, with your resume making it through ATS scanners and you being selected for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate upon the profile of your employer, background and the most important skills and expertise is the proverbial foot in the door and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified you increase your odds to be selected for the next stage of the final selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with fears about speaking about your own achievements. Practice is key and, fortunately, interview questions can be practiced ahead of time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can apply to boost your chances at nailing that interview and impressing future employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, mostly because they are trying to gain information however, also in order to help you get out of potentially contentious issues and worries. For instance, consider the question "Why have you decided to quit your current role?"
The answer to this question could be due to problems with management, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason however, the manner the way you frame your response will signal your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your answer with as much objectivity as feasible. This means eliminating any emotional responses such as answers based on emotions or feelings that are not supported by factual evidence.
Other important questions to ask include "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should we choose us?", or trick questions like "Why should us not take you on?" The key is to stay calm and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and follow with a brief note of the reason or reasons the reason you reacted in a particular manner. Add specific examples or provide more details. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly you can go back to your original point.
In the same way, if you’re requested to provide a description of your participation in a project or task then you can employ this method. STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding the selection requirements. If you are using STAR, you must state the context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the final result.
It’s all in body language
Acting naturally in a stressful situation may be difficult but it is possible to try to practice professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to inquire about your concerns and observe your body language. Are you moving or fidgeting about nervously? Are you looking intimidating, stiff, defensive or aloof in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect the point you are trying to convey? Do you show openness, sincerity, and genuine interest?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, be sure to go over the job description over again. In the event that you’ve read the description and then used the roles and duties listed therein to modify and customise your resume and other selection documents It is essential to review the job description to honestly describe yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being realistic about your strengths will enable the interviewer to note your strengths as a potential customer. However, showing your determination to address your weaknesses will also be significant.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest about the job and the business. The best person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like on the resume or if you have questions that have not been answered through their FAQ or guide questions (which typically are found in the job application or the general page for hiring about section) Make sure to bring them up at the conclusion of the interview, after your interviewer asks you to pose questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the jobif given the chance to be part of members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway in the present"
"What are the possibilities for further development and training?"
Know your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are often advertised with the job (or on a list, if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still ask you how much you anticipate earning. A good tip is to offer a range within which you would like your salary to fall rather than giving an exact number or a set amount. Make sure to keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a the possibility of a large 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 or anything in the range of $10,000. Be mindful of other perks and benefits too and think about these when you consider your salary goals.
The preparation steps you have in your purse is important to be prepared with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured, and be bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials and for the preparation for your interview, contact Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants will be able to assist you in your preparation steps. Contact us today to receive an free quotation or call us direct for a chat with one of our consultants at 1300 995 142.
