Interview Preparation Tactics
The most frightening aspect of job hunts is the dreaded interview round. The fear of an interview is a natural consequence of seeking approval and validation from others in particular from potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be a natural thing for some, others are apprehensive about being asked questions about their professional or previous successes. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort that comes with being asked questions that are personal to them Interviews have become an extremely intimidating aspects that are required to hire.
This doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are a crucial way for the applicant to demonstrate their skills have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. It’s been a while since you’ve been through the first step with your resume passing it through ATS scanners and your name being shortlisted for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate on the profile of your employer, background as well as the key skills and abilities is the proverbial foot in the door when you convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate, it boosts your chances of passing through to the next step in the selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing fears about speaking about your accomplishments. The practice is essential, and fortunately, interview questions can be practiced before the date. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can use to increase your chances of getting through that interview and impressing your future employers.
Be comfortable with difficult questions
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions mostly because they are trying to get information from you, but also, since they want to help you get out of potentially contentious questions and concerns. Take for example the question "Why do you want to leave your current job?"
The answer may be because of problems with management, or concerns with work-life balance, etc. No matter the answer, however, the manner in which you phrase your answer will show your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your reasoning in the most objective way possible. This means removing emotional responses like answers that are based purely on sentiments or feelings, and do not have any basis in evidence.
Other questions to be prepared for are "What inspired you to apply for this role?", "Why should we hire you?", or trick questions like "Why do we not hire you?" The key is to remain calm and arrange your thoughts with care.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and follow up with a short argument or explanation of the reasons you responded in a certain manner. Then, add specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly then return to the point you made earlier.
Similarly, if you are asked to describe your involvement in a project or task then you can utilize to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond the selection requirements. In using STAR it is necessary to describe a Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the Result.
The body language
Acting naturally in a stressful situation could be a tall order However, you can learn to communicate professionally. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions and observe your body language. Are you moving or fidgeting about with anxiety? Do you appear stiff, standoffish, defensive or reserved in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect what you want to convey? Do you display openness, sincerity, and genuine interest?
Consider your strengths and weak points.
Before you go to the interview, make sure you read the job description once more. Assuming you read the job description and applied the roles and duties listed in the description to make changes to your resume and other document of selection, it is important to review the job description to honestly prepare yourself for interviewers. Be open and honest concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being realistic regarding your strengths will allow interviewers to recognize your selling points as a prospect. However, showing your determination to address your weaknesses will also be notable.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest about the job and the business. The best person to approach to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description or if you have any questions not answered through their FAQ or the guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or in their general hiring page about section), raise these at the end of the interview, after your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer:
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the task, if given the chance to join you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects on at the moment"
"What are the possibilities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
The salary package and other benefits are generally advertised with the job (or as part of a range if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could be interested in knowing what you expect to earn. One important tip is to give a range of where you’d like your earnings to be based instead of giving an exact or fixed number. Make sure to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a any wide range. For instance, if anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a sensible range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of additional perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you consider your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital to be prepared with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, feel confident and courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials and for interviews, please contact Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can help you with your interview preparation phases. Contact us today to receive a free quotation or to call us directly to speak with one our consultants at 1300 202 475.
