Optimizing Your Interview Preparation
A major and daunting aspect of job hunts is the daunting interview process. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek recognition and acceptance from other people and especially your potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be a natural thing for some, others are apprehensive about being asked about their career or past successes. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become among the more nerve-wracking parts that are required to hire.
This doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are the best way for the applicant to show that their competencies are, their achievements, and potential. You have already passed the first step with your resume passing the cut through ATS scanners, and your name getting a callback. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate on your profile, work history, and key skills and abilities is the proverbial foot in the door and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate this increases your chances of passing through the next phase of the selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews even if you’re having apprehensions about talking about your achievements. Practice is key, and fortunately, interview questions can be practiced prior to the time. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can implement to improve your chances of getting through that interview and impressing your future employers.
Be comfortable with difficult questions
Interviewers ask challenging questions, partly because they want to gain information and information, but also because they want to help you come out of potentially contentious issues and issues. Take for example the question "Why do you want to leave your current role?"
The answer to the question may be because of management issues, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. No matter the answer but the way that you formulate your answer will demonstrate your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your reasoning in the most objective way is possible. This means that you should eliminate all emotional responses, like responses based on feelings or emotions and are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to prepare for include "What did you do to get this role?", "Why should be hiring you?", or trick questions like "Why do we not employ you?" The key is not to lose your cool and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and follow up with a short note of the reason or reasons the reasons you responded in a certain way. After that, you can add instances or elaborate. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly, go back to your previous point.
Similarly, if you are required to explain your participation on a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could employ an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding the selection requirements. If you are using STAR, you must state a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the final result.
It’s all in the body language
The ability to act naturally in difficult situation can be a daunting task However, you can practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask questions and observe your body language. Are you flitting or shifting around in a tense manner? Do you seem uneasy, aggressive, or closed off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with what you want to make? Do you show genuineness, honesty and genuine enthusiasm?
Think about your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, be sure to go over the job description over again. In the event that you’ve read the description and utilized the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume and other selection documents It is imperative to consider the job description and how you will package yourself for the interviewer. Be honest and upfront concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being honest about your strengths can allow interviewers to recognize your unique selling points as a prospective client. However, announcing your intention to work on your weaknesses is just as important.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine enthusiasm about the job and the business. The best person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you have noticed something intriguing in the job description, or you have questions that have not been answered through their FAQ or guide questions (which are usually found in the job description or the general page for hiring about section) You can raise them at the conclusion of the interview, after your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer
"How do I become the most qualified person for this task, if given the chance to join your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway currently"
"What are the chances to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Benefits and salary packages are typically advertised along with the position (or within a set of options, when applying via SEEK). However, the interviewer may inquire about the amount you expect to earn. The most important thing to do is provide a range in which you’d like your earnings to be, rather than providing an exact or fixed number. Try to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing the possibility of a large margin. For example, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, a reasonable choice would be anything from the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Also, be aware of other perks and benefits in addition to these when you are evaluating your salary goals.
The preparation steps you have in your bag is vital to be prepared with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident and be courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for interview preparation, reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants will be able to assist you in your preparation phases. Contact us today to receive your no-cost quote or to call us directly to speak with one of our consultants on 1300 202 475.
