Ace Your Interviews: Preparation Guide
Perhaps the most intimidating aspects of the job search is the fear of an interview. The fear of an interview 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 come naturally to some people, others are apprehensive about being asked about their professional or previous successes. Perhaps out of modesty and the anxiety that comes from being asked questions about their personal life interviews have turned out to be among the more stressful parts in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are a great way for the applicant to showcase their abilities have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve completed the initial step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners and you being selected for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate upon your profile, work history as well as the key skills and abilities is the proverbial step to the front when you convince the interviewer you’re a good fit you increase your odds of getting through the next stage of the selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews in case you’re experiencing concerns about presenting your accomplishments. Training is the key to success and, fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed prior to the time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some helpful tips you can use to increase your chances of getting through that interview and impressing future employers.
Get comfortable around tricky questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions mostly because they are trying to elicit information however, also because they want to see you get out of potentially contentious issues and worries. For instance, consider the question "Why have you decided to quit your current role?"
The reason for this could be due to management issues, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason but the way in which you phrase your response will signal your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your response using as much objectivity feasible. This means eliminating emotional responses like answers that are based purely on feelings or emotions and do not have any basis in factual evidence.
Other questions to prepare for are "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should us choose to hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions like "Why do we not choose 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. Lead with your point and follow with a brief note of the reason or reasons why you responded a certain way. Add specific examples or provide more details. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly then return to the previous section.
Similarly, if you are requested to provide a description of your participation in a particular project or task it is possible to use this method. STAR Method, which is typically used to respond to criteria for selection. When using STAR the first thing you need to do is write an context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the Result.
All it is in the body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful environment can be a tall order however, you can practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask you questions and observe your body language. Are you shifting or fidgeting about nervously? Do you appear uneasy, aggressive or aloof in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with your message you’re trying to convey? Do you communicate openness, sincerity and genuine interest?
Take a look at your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, you should read the job description again. In the event that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities outlined in the description to make changes to your resume and other documents for selection It is imperative to think about the job description in order to accurately describe yourself to the interviewer. Be open and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being open regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your unique selling points as a prospect. But, indicating your intention to address your weaknesses will be just as relevant.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest in the role and in the company. The best person to approach for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you’ve noticed something you like within the description of your job, or if you have questions not answered through their FAQ or guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or their general hiring page About section), raise these at the end of the interview, after your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer:
"How can I be the most qualified person for this job, if I am offered the chance to join members of your staff?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities for further development and training?"
Know your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are typically advertised along with the job (or on a list if applying through SEEK). However, the interviewer may ask you how much you are expecting. A good tip is to give a range of where you’d like your earnings to fall instead of offering an exact or set number. Make sure 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 range would be anywhere in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Consider other benefits and perks in addition to these when you think about your salary goals.
The preparation steps you have in your pocket is crucial to ensure you have the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, feel confident and be courageous.
For help with the recruitment process, documents or credentials as well as the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants will be able to help you with your interview preparation stages. Contact us today to receive your no-cost quote or phone us directly for a chat with one of our consultants at 0800 024 129.
