Mastering Interview Readiness
Perhaps the most intimidating aspects of the job search is the fear of an interview. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking approval and validation from others in particular from potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be a natural thing for some but others feel nervous about being asked questions about their career or past successes. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort that comes with being asked questions about their personal life interviews have turned out to be among the more stressful parts of the hiring process.
This doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are the best means for the candidate to demonstrate their skills, achievements, and potentials. You’ve completed the initial step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners and being shortlisted for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate upon the profile of your employer, background as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial entrance into the interview If you can convince the interviewer you’re a good fit, it boosts your chances of passing through the next stage of the final selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews if you have fears about speaking about your personal achievements. It is important to practice and luckily, interview questions can be practiced ahead of time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some tips that you can implement to improve your chances of aceing that interview and impressing your future employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers ask challenging questions, partly because they want to gather information and information, but also since they want to help you navigate your way out of potential contentious issues and worries. Consider, for instance, the question "Why are you resigning from your current job?"
The answer to the question could be due to problems with management, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. No matter the answer but the way that you formulate your answer will show your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Respond honestly and explain your answer with as much objectivity as is possible. This means removing all emotional responses, like responses that are based solely on emotions or feelings and are not supported by facts.
Other questions to be prepared for are "What made you apply for this job?", "Why should us choose to hire us?", or trick questions like "Why do be able to not choose you?" 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. Begin with your topic and then follow it up with a short argument or explanation of why you chose to respond in a specific way. Add specific examples or provide more details. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly, go back to your original point.
Similarly, if you are asked to describe your involvement in a particular project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could apply this method. STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond on 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 Result.
The body language
Being natural in a stressful environment can be a tall order However, you can make sure you are practicing professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions of you and observe your behavior. Are you shifting or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Are you looking stiff, standoffish, defensive or reserved in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect what you want to make? Do you convey genuineness, honesty and genuine concern?
Consider your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to the interview, be sure to review the description of the position. Assuming you read the job description and applied the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to your resume and other document of selection It is imperative to consider the job description in order to accurately describe yourself to the interviewer. Be candid and open concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being truthful regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to see your strengths as a prospective client. But, indicating your intention to work on your weaknesses is just as important.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine interest for the position and the company. The best person to inquire to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you’ve noticed something you like in the job description, or if you have questions that were left unanswered on their FAQ page or their guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or their general hiring page about section), raise these at the end of the interview, after your interviewer asks you to pose questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the job, should I be offered the chance to join the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on currently"
"What are the possibilities for advancement and further training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Other benefits and packages for salary are often advertised with the job (or within a set of options, for those applying through SEEK). But, interviewers might ask you how much you expect to earn. The most important thing to do is include a range that you’d like your earnings to fall rather than giving an exact, fixed amount. Be sure to keep the range as narrow as possible instead of offering a the possibility of a large margin. If, for instance, you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a reasonable range is anywhere between the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Consider other benefits and perks as well and consider these when you consider your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your pocket is crucial to ensure you have the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident and bold.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for the preparation for your interview, contact Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants can help you with your interview preparation stages. Contact us today to receive your free quotation or phone us directly to speak with one of our consultants on 1300 871 072.
