Prepping Effectively for Interviews
Perhaps the most difficult aspects of the job search is the dreaded interview round. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting recognition and acceptance from other people and especially your potential employers. While speaking about themselves may be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked questions regarding their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps because of modesty, or the anxiety that comes from being asked to answer personal questions Interviews have become one of the most intimidating parts that are required to hire.
This does not have to be the case.
Interviews are a great way for the applicant to demonstrate their skills have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You have already made it through the first step by submitting your resume to the cut through ATS scanners and you being considered for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate upon one’s profile, employment history as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial way to get noticed: if you convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate you increase your odds to be selected for the next stage of the selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with fears about speaking about your achievements. Training is the key to success and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed in advance. The key to a flawless interview is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can follow to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your future employers:
Get comfortable around tricky questions
Interviewers pose challenging questions mostly because they are trying to gain information as well as in order to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious topics and issues. For instance, consider the question "Why are you leaving your current job?"
The answer to this question may be because of managerial issues, or worries about work-life balance. Whatever the reason, however, the manner that you formulate the answer will indicate your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Respond honestly and explain your responses in the most objective way possible. This means that you should eliminate all emotional responses, like responses based on sentiments or feelings, and are not substantiated by evidence.
Other questions to prepare for include "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should we hire us?", or trick questions like "Why should us not hire you?" The key is to stay calm and arrange your thoughts with care.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Start with your statement and then follow it up with a short explanation or a brief summary of why you chose to respond in a specific way. Add examples or further elaborate. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly then return to the point you made earlier.
In the same way, if you’re asked to describe your involvement in a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could employ the STAR Method, which is often used when responding on selection criteria. When you use STAR it is necessary to describe an Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken as well as the Result.
All it is in the body language
Behaving naturally in a difficult situation can be difficult but it is possible to practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or have a trusted companion to ask questions of you and note your mannerisms. Are you fidgeting or shifting around in a tense manner? Do you look rigid, aloof, defensive, or closed off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match what you want to convey? Do you convey genuineness, honesty and genuine concern?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, you should review the description of the position. Assuming you read the job description and then used the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to your resume and other documents for selection It is imperative to review the job description and how you will present yourself to the interviewer. Be candid and open about your strengths and weaknesses. Being honest about your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your selling points as a prospective client. However, showing your determination to address your weaknesses is 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 approach questions is your interviewer. If you have noticed something intriguing on the resume or if you have concerns that weren’t answered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or in the general page for hiring about section), raise these after the interview, after your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer are:
"How do I become the best person for the job, should I be given the opportunity to work with the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities for further development and training?"
Know your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are generally advertised with the position (or on a list when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers may still inquire about the amount you anticipate earning. The most important thing to do is include a range that you’d like your pay to fall instead of offering an exact or fixed number. Be sure to keep the range tight instead of giving an expansive margin. For example, if you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, an appropriate range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Be aware of any other benefits and perks in addition to these when you are evaluating your salary goals.
Inputting these steps into your pocket is crucial to be prepared with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents or credentials as well as interview preparation, contact Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants are able to assist you in your preparation phases. Contact us today to receive the free quotation or call us direct for a chat with one of our consultants on 0800 215 100.
