Interview Preparation Tactics
The most frightening aspect of job hunts is the daunting interview process. Interview fear is a natural result of wanting to seek the approval and support of others, especially from your prospective employers. While speaking about themselves may come naturally to some people however, many are nervous about being asked questions regarding their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked questions that are personal to them Interviews have become among the more intimidating parts in the process of hiring.
It doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are the best way for the applicant to prove their capabilities are, their achievements, and potential. You’ve already made it through the first step, with your resume making an appearance on ATS scanners and being selected for an interview. The chance to show and elaborate further on your resume, experience as well as the key skills and abilities is the proverbial way to get noticed and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified, it boosts your chances of getting through to the next step in the final selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with fears about speaking about your personal achievements. Practice is key and, fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed before the date. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can apply to boost your chances at nailing that interview and impressing your potential employers.
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers ask challenging questions, partially because they wish to gather information however, also because they want to help you come out of potentially contentious topics and concerns. For instance, consider the question "Why have you decided to quit your current job?"
The answer may be because of management issues, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason however, the manner that you express your response will signal your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your reasoning using as much objectivity possible. This means removing all emotional responses, like answers that are based purely on sentiments or feelings, and do not have any basis in facts.
Other questions to prepare for are "What did you do to get this position?", "Why should we hire us?", or trick questions like "Why should be able to not take you on?" The key is to not lose composure 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 explanation or a brief summary of the reason you reacted in a particular way. After that, you can add specific examples or provide more details. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly then return to your previous point.
In the same way, if you’re asked to write about your involvement in a project or task, you may utilize to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to criteria for selection. When you use STAR you will need to write an scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken as well as the result.
The body language
Acting naturally in a difficult situation can be a daunting task but it is possible to make sure you are practicing professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask questions of you and note your mannerisms. Are you moving or fidgeting about with anxiety? Are you looking stiff, standoffish, defensive, or closed off in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match your message you’re trying to make? Do you convey openness, sincerity, and genuine interest?
Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses
Before the interview, ensure that you review the job description over again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and responsibilities outlined in the description to make changes to your resume and other selection documents, it is important to review the job description to honestly prepare yourself for interviewers. Be candid and open about your strengths and weaknesses. Being open about your strengths can allow the interviewer to notice your selling points as a potential client. However, announcing your intention to work on your weaknesses is just as important.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the role and in the company. The best person to approach questions is your interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description or if you’ve got any questions not answered by their FAQ page or guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or the general page for hiring about section) Make sure to bring them up at the end of the interview, when your interviewer asks you to pose questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer include:
"How can I be the most qualified person for this task, if offered the chance to work alongside you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway right now"
"What are the opportunities to further develop and learn?"
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, the interviewer may inquire about the amount you are expecting. A good tip is to give a range of where you’d like your pay to fall rather than giving an exact, fixed amount. Be sure to keep the range as narrow as possible instead of offering a a wide margin. For instance, if are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anything in the range of $10,000. Also, be aware of other perks and benefits in addition to these when you think about your salary expectations.
The preparation steps you have in your pocket is crucial to ensure you have the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and courageous.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can help you through your preparatory steps. Contact us today to receive an no-cost quote or to call us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 202 475.
