A Guide to Interview Preparation
The most frightening aspects of job searching is the interview stage. Interview fear is a natural consequence of seeking approval and validation from others in particular from potential employers. Although talking about oneself may come naturally to some people but others feel nervous about being asked questions regarding their professional or previous accomplishments. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort arising from being asked questions that are personal to them, the interview has become one of the biggest and most stressful parts in the process of hiring.
This does not have to be the situation.
Interviews are a crucial means for the candidate to showcase their abilities have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You have already been through the first step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners and getting a callback. The chance to show and further elaborate on the profile of your employer, background, and key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified you increase your odds of getting through the next stage of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing doubts about speaking about your achievements. It is important to practice and luckily, interview questions can be practiced in advance. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can follow to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing future employers.
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions partly because they want to get information from you however, also because they want to help you get out of potential contentious issues and concerns. For instance, consider the question "Why have you decided to quit your current position?"
The reason for this could be due to management concerns, or issues with work-life balance, etc. Whatever the reason however, the manner the way you frame your answer will show your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your response with the greatest objectivity feasible. This means eliminating all emotional responses, like answers based on feelings or sentiments and are not supported by actual facts.
Other important questions to ask include "What did you do to get this role?", "Why should we choose us?", or trick questions like "Why do be able to not choose you?" The key is to remain calm and plan your thoughts well.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Begin with your topic and then provide a concise explanation or a brief summary of the reason you reacted in a particular manner. Next, provide examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to your original point.
Also, if requested to provide a description of your participation in a task or project, you may use the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to selection criteria. When using STAR the first thing you need to do is write a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken as well as the results.
It’s all in the body language
Acting naturally in a stressful environment can be a challenge but it is possible to practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions of you and observe your behavior. Are you shifting or fidgeting around with a nervousness? Do you look rigid, aloof, defensive, or closed off in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect the message you’re trying to make? Do you show authenticity, openness, and genuine interest?
Take a look at your strengths and weaknesses.
Before the interview, you should go over the description of the position. Assuming you read the job description and utilized the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to your resume and other document of selection It is imperative to think about the job description and how you will package yourself for the interviewer. Be honest and upfront on your strength and weakness. Being realistic about your strengths will allow interviewers to recognize your strengths as a prospect. However, announcing your intention to address your weak points will be equally significant.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the job and within the business. The best person to inquire questions is your interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like in the job description or if you’ve got any questions that were left unanswered through their FAQ or guide questions (which typically are found in the job application or the general page for hiring About section) Make sure to bring them up after the interview when the interviewer invites you to ask questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer are:
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the job, if I am given the chance to be part of you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the chances to advance and further education?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are typically advertised along with the job (or in a variety when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers could be interested in knowing what you are expecting. An important point to remember is to provide a range in which you’d like your earnings to fall rather than giving an exact number or a set amount. Be sure to keep the limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a a wide margin. For example, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, a good range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Consider other perks and benefits in addition to these when you think about your salary goals.
The preparation steps you have in your bag is vital to ensure you have the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials and for interview preparation, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can help you with your interview preparation phases. Contact us today to receive the no-cost quote or call us direct to speak with one our consultants on 1300 820 847.
