Ready Yourself for Interviews
One of the most daunting aspect of job hunts is the dreaded interview round. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting the approval and support of others particularly from prospective employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be natural for some, others are apprehensive about being asked about their career or past successes. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked questions that are personal to them, the interview has become among the more intimidating parts of the hiring process.
This doesn’t need to be the situation.
Interviews are the best opportunity for applicants to show that their competencies have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve passed the first step with your resume passing the cut through ATS scanners and your name being shortlisted for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate upon one’s profile, employment history as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial foot in the door: if you convince the interviewer that you’re a good fit you increase your odds of passing to the next step in the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews even if you’re having fears about speaking about your achievements. It is important to practice and, fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The key to a flawless interview is preparation, and here are some suggestions you can use to increase your chances of nailing the interview and impressing future employers.
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions mostly because they are trying to gain information as well as in order to help you navigate your way out of potential contentious issues and concerns. For instance, consider the question "Why are you resigning from your current position?"
The reason for this may be because of management issues, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason, however, the manner that you formulate the answer will indicate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your response with as much objectivity as is possible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses , such as responses based on emotions or feelings and do not have any basis in facts.
Other questions to be prepared for include "What made you apply for this job?", "Why should us choose to hire you?", or trick questions such as "Why do we not employ you?" The key is not to lose your cool and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Start with your statement and follow up with a short argument or explanation of the reasons you responded in a certain way. Add specific examples or provide more details. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly the topic, return to the point you made earlier.
Also, if required to explain your participation in a project or task it is possible to employ an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to selection criteria. In using STAR it is necessary to describe a context,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken followed by the results.
It’s all in body language
Acting naturally in a difficult situation can be a challenge but it is possible to try to practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask you questions and observe your behavior. Are you flitting or shifting around with a nervousness? Do you appear stiff, standoffish, defensive, or closed off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect your message you’re trying to convey? Do you display openness, sincerity and genuine enthusiasm?
Take a look at your strengths and weaknesses
Before the interview, you should read the job description once more. In the event that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and responsibilities listed in it to alter and personalize your resume and other selection documents It is essential to consider the job description to honestly package yourself for the interviewer. Be upfront and honest on your strength and weakness. Being truthful about your strengths will allow the interviewer to notice your unique selling points as a potential client. However, showing your determination to improve your weaknesses will also be significant.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest about the job and the business. The best person to inquire is the interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description, or if you have questions that were left unanswered through their FAQ or their guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or in their general hiring page About section) You can raise them during the interview, after your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer include:
"How do I become the best person for the jobif given the opportunity to join members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects on at the moment"
"What are the opportunities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Benefits and salary packages are generally advertised with the job (or as part of a range, for those applying through SEEK). But, interviewers might want to know what salary you’re expecting to earn. The most important thing to do is include a range that you’d like your pay to be, rather than providing an exact, fixed amount. Make sure to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a a wide margin. If, for instance, you expect to make $75,000 a year, a good range is anywhere between the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any other perks and benefits in addition to these when you think about your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your pocket is crucial to ensure you have 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 interview preparation, reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can help you with your interview preparation phases. Contact us today for an no-cost quote or to call us directly for a chat with one of our consultants at 0800 215 100.
