Mastering Interview Readiness
Perhaps the most difficult aspects of job hunting is the daunting interview process. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek recognition and acceptance from other people particularly from prospective employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be a natural thing for some however, many are nervous about being asked questions about their professional or previous accomplishments. Perhaps because of modesty, or the anxiety that comes from being asked questions that are personal to them The interview process has evolved into an extremely nerve-wracking parts in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a great means for the candidate to show that their competencies have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve already completed the initial step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners, and your name getting a callback. This opportunity to present and elaborate on the profile of your employer, background as well as the key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a foot in the door when you convince the interviewer you’re qualified, it boosts your chances to be selected for to the next step in the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with fears about speaking about your own achievements. Practice is key, and fortunately, interview questions can be practiced before the date. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some helpful tips you can implement to improve your chances at nailing that interview and impressing potential employers.
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions partly because they want to gain information however, also because they want to help you navigate your way out of potentially contentious questions and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"
The answer to this question may be because of management issues, or concerns with work-life balance, etc. No matter the answer, however, the manner that you formulate your answer will show your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Answer honestly and explain your answer in the most objective way is possible. This means eliminating all emotional responses, like answers that are based purely on sentiments or feelings, and are not supported by evidence.
Other questions to consider are "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should be hiring you?", or trick questions such as "Why do us not hire you?" The key is to stay 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 then follow it up with a short explanation or a brief summary of why you responded a certain manner. After that, you can add specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly you can go back to your original point.
Similarly, if you are asked to write about your involvement in a particular project or task then you can utilize an approach called the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to criteria for selection. In using STAR it is necessary to describe a Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken as well as the final result.
It’s all in body language
Acting naturally in a stressful situation may be a challenge however, you can try to practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a trusted friend to inquire about your concerns and take note of your actions. Are you moving or fidgeting about nervously? Do you seem intimidating, stiff, defensive or reserved in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the point you are trying to convey? Do you display openness, sincerity and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and weak points.
Before you go to the interview, be sure to read the description of the position. In the event that you’ve read the 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 look at the job description to clearly describe yourself to the interviewer. Be open and honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Being realistic about your strengths will enable the interviewer to note your strengths as a potential customer. However, showing your determination to work on your weak points will be equally significant.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine enthusiasm for the position and the company. The most appropriate person to ask is the interviewer. 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 the guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or their general hiring page about section) You can raise them at the conclusion of the interview when the interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer include:
"How can I be the most qualified person for this jobif offered the chance to be part of your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Know your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are generally advertised with the position (or as part of a range if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could be interested in knowing what you are expecting. The most important thing to do is offer a range within which you’d like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact or set number. Make sure to keep your range tight instead of giving an expansive margin. For instance, if you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a sensible range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 or anything in the range of $10,000. Also, be aware of other benefits and perks as well and consider these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital to equip yourself with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment or credentials as well as the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants will be able to assist you in your preparation phases. Contact us today for your free quotation or to call us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 202 475.
