Optimizing Your Interview Preparation
A major and intimidating aspect of job hunts is the dreaded interview round. The fear of an interview is a natural consequence of seeking the approval and support of others, especially from your prospective employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be a natural thing for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked about their careers or their previous successes. Perhaps because of modesty, or the anxiety that comes from being asked questions that are personal to them Interviews have become an extremely intimidating aspects in the process of hiring.
It doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are an important way for the applicant to prove their capabilities, achievements, and potentials. It’s been a while since you’ve passed the first step and your resume has made it through ATS scanners and your name getting a callback. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate upon your profile, work history, and key skills and abilities is the proverbial entrance into the interview and if you can convince the interviewer that you have what it takes you increase your odds to be selected for to the next step in the selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews even if you’re having apprehensions about talking about your personal achievements. Practice is key to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be practiced ahead of time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some tips that you can follow to boost your chances at nailing that interview and impressing prospective employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions partially because they wish to gather information however, also because they want to see you navigate your way out of potentially contentious questions and issues. Consider, for instance, the question "Why are you leaving your current role?"
The answer may be because of managerial issues, or worries regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason, however, the manner that you express your response will signal your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your response using as much objectivity can be. This means that you should eliminate all emotional responses, like answers based on feelings or sentiments that are not supported by evidence.
Other important questions to ask include "What motivated you to apply for this job?", "Why should we choose your services?", or trick questions like "Why do us not hire you?" The key is to not lose composure and arrange your thoughts with care.
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 explanation or a brief summary of why you chose to respond in a specific way. Next, provide examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained the topic, return to your original point.
Similarly, if you are asked to write about your involvement in a task or project it is possible to apply an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding the selection requirements. In using STAR it is necessary to describe a Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken followed by the final result.
It’s all in body language
Being natural in a stressful situation may 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 questions and take note of your actions. Are you flitting or shifting around in a tense manner? Do you appear stiff, standoffish, defensive or aloof in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect what you want to make? Do you convey genuineness, honesty and genuine enthusiasm?
Think about your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, ensure that you go over the job description again. Assuming you read the job description and applied the roles and responsibilities described therein to modify and customise your resume as well as other selection documents It is imperative to look at the job description in order to accurately describe yourself to the interviewer. Be open and honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Being honest about your strengths can allow interviewers to recognize your unique selling points as a potential customer. However, signalling your intent to address your weaknesses will also be important.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the job and within the business. The best person to approach for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description or you have questions that were left unanswered on their FAQ page or their guide questions (which can be found in the job application or the general page for hiring About section) Bring them up at the end of the interview, when your interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer are:
"How do I become the most suitable person for the task, if given the chance to work with the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on right now"
"What are the opportunities to further develop and learn?"
Know your salary expectations
Other benefits and packages for salary are often advertised with the position (or within a set of options when applying via SEEK). But, interviewers might inquire about the amount you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to give a range of where you’d like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact number or a set amount. Make sure to keep your range tight instead of giving any wide range. For instance, if are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a good choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anything in the range of $10,000. Be aware of any other benefits and perks also and take these into consideration when you think about your salary goals.
The preparation steps you have in your bag is vital to equip yourself with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and bold.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for the preparation for your interview, contact Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to help you through your preparatory stages. Contact us today to receive an complimentary quote or contact us directly to speak to one of our consultants on 1300 993 659.
