Mastering Interview Readiness
The most daunting aspects of job searching is the daunting interview process. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking the approval and support of others and especially your potential employers. While speaking about themselves may seem natural to certain people but others feel nervous about being asked questions regarding their professional or previous achievements. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the anxiety that comes from being asked personal questions The interview process has evolved into one of the biggest and most intimidating aspects that are required to hire.
This doesn’t need to be the situation.
Interviews are a great opportunity for applicants to show that their competencies, achievements, and potentials. You’ve completed the initial step by submitting your resume to the cut through ATS scanners and you being selected for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and further elaborate on your profile, work history, and key skills and abilities is the proverbial way to get noticed: if you convince the interviewer that you’re qualified you increase your odds of passing the next stage of the selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews even if you’re having apprehensions about talking about your personal achievements. It is important to practice and luckily, interview questions can be practiced prior to the time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can apply to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing future employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partly because they want to gather information and information, but also since they want to help you navigate your way out of potentially contentious topics and worries. Consider, for instance, the question "Why do you want to leave your current job?"
The answer may be because of management concerns, or issues about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer, however, the manner that you formulate the answer will indicate your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Answer honestly and explain your response using as much objectivity is possible. This means eliminating any emotional responses such as answers that are based purely on feelings or sentiments and are not substantiated by evidence.
Other important questions to ask include "What made you apply for this role?", "Why should be hiring your services?", or trick questions like "Why do we not employ you?" The key is to stay calm and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and follow with a brief reason or summary as to why you chose to respond in a specific way. Add examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained then return to your original point.
Similarly, if you are asked to write about your involvement in a task or project it is possible to apply the STAR Method, which is often used when responding the selection requirements. In using STAR the first thing you need to do is write the situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken as well as the results.
It’s all in body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation could be a daunting task However, you can make sure you are practicing professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask you questions and observe your body language. Are you moving or fidgeting around with a nervousness? Do you look uneasy, aggressive or aloof in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect your message you’re trying to make? Do you convey genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?
Take a look at your strengths and weak points.
Before you go to the interview, be sure to review the description of the position. If you have read the job description and then used the roles and responsibilities described within to customize and modify your resume and other document of selection It is crucial to review the job description in order to accurately package yourself for the interviewer. Be open and honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Being realistic about your strengths can allow the interviewer to notice your unique selling points as a prospect. However, signalling your intent to work on your weaknesses will also be important.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine interest about the job and the company. The most appropriate person to ask is the interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like on the resume or you have questions that have not been answered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which typically are found in the job description or their general hiring page About section) You can raise them at the conclusion of the interview, when your interviewer asks you to pose questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer include:
"How do I become the best person for the jobif offered the chance to work with the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on currently"
"What are the chances for further development and training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Benefits and salary packages are usually advertised alongside the position (or as part of a range if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could want to know what salary you’re expecting to earn. A good tip is to provide a range in which you would like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact or set number. Try to keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a any wide range. For instance, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a reasonable choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 or anything in the range of $10,000. Be mindful of other benefits and perks in addition to these when you consider your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your bag is vital to equip yourself with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident, and be bold.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents or credentials as well as the preparation for your interview, contact Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants can help you with your interview preparation steps. Contact us today for a free quotation or call us direct to speak to one of our consultants on 03 5420 1572.