Mastering Interview Readiness
One of the most frightening aspects of the job search is the interview stage. Interview fear is a natural consequence of seeking recognition and acceptance from other people 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 about their careers or their previous achievements. Perhaps due to modesty or the anxiety that comes from being asked questions that are personal to them interviews have turned out to be among the more intimidating aspects in the process of hiring.
It doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are a great means for the candidate to showcase their abilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. It’s been a while since you’ve made it through the first step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners and getting a callback. This chance to present and elaborate on your resume, experience as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial foot in the door when you convince the interviewer you’re the right candidate this increases your chances of passing the next phase of the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing fears about speaking about your accomplishments. It is important to practice to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be practiced in advance. The key to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can follow to boost your chances at nailing that interview and impressing future employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers ask challenging questions, in part, to gain information and information, but also since they want to help you get out of potentially contentious questions and concerns. For instance, consider the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"
The reason for this could be due to problems with management, or concerns about work-life balance. Whatever the reason however, the manner in which you phrase your answer will show your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Respond honestly and explain your response with as much objectivity as possible. This includes 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 made you apply for this position?", "Why should we choose the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions such as "Why do be able to not choose you?" 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. Lead with your point and then provide a concise reason or summary as to why you chose to respond in a specific manner. Then, add examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained the topic, return to your original point.
In the same way, if you’re requested to provide a description of your participation on a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could employ an approach called the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond on selection criteria. If you are using STAR you will need to write an scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the results.
The body language
Being natural in a difficult situation can be a daunting task However, you can try to practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a trusted person to ask you questions and observe your body language. Are you shifting or fidgeting about with anxiety? Are you looking rigid, aloof, defensive or shut off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match what you want to make? Do you convey authenticity, openness, and genuine interest?
Take a look at your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, be sure to review the job description again. Assuming you read the job description and applied the roles and duties listed therein to modify and customise your resume and other selection documents, it is important to look at the job description and how you will describe yourself to the interviewer. Be candid and open about your strengths and weaknesses. Being realistic about your strengths can allow the interviewer to see your selling points as a potential customer. However, showing your determination to improve your weaknesses will be just as important.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest about the job and the company. The best person to ask is the interviewer. If you noticed something interesting in the job description, or if you have questions not answered through their FAQ or the guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or in the general page for hiring about section) Make sure to bring them up at the end of the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer:
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the job, should I be given the opportunity to be part of you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway right now"
"What are the potential opportunities to further develop and learn?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
The salary package and other benefits are often advertised with the job (or in a variety in the case of SEEK). But, interviewers might be interested in knowing what you anticipate earning. An important point to remember is to offer a range within which you’d like your earnings to be based instead of giving an exact number or a set amount. Be sure to keep the limit to a narrow range instead of providing the possibility of a large margin. For example, if you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a sensible range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 or anything in the range of $10,000. Be mindful of other benefits and perks as well and consider these when you think about your salary expectations.
These steps to prepare in your purse is important to ensure you have the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured, and be bold.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants are able to guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us now for a complimentary quote or to call us directly to speak to one of our consultants on 1300 871 072.
