Ace Your Interviews: Preparation Guide
A major and difficult aspects of the job search is the interview stage. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking the approval and support of others, especially from your prospective employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be a natural thing for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked about their work or prior accomplishments. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked questions that are personal to them, the interview has become one of the biggest and most intimidating aspects during the selection process.
It doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are the best opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their skills have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. It’s been a while since you’ve made it through the first step by submitting your resume to an appearance on ATS scanners and you being shortlisted for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate upon your profile, work history as well as the key skills and knowledge is the aforementioned entrance into the interview: if you convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate that increases your chances of passing the next phase of the selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews if you have doubts about speaking about your own achievements. It is important to practice and luckily, interview questions can be practiced in advance. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some helpful tips you can use to increase your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your potential employers.
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers ask challenging questions, mostly because they are trying to gain information however, also because they want to see you get out of potential 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 managerial issues, or worries about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer but the way the way you frame your answer will show your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your responses with the greatest objectivity can be. This means removing all emotional responses, like responses that are based solely on sentiments or feelings, that are not supported by evidence.
Other questions to prepare for include "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should us choose to hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions such as "Why should be able to not take you on?" The key is not to lose your cool and plan your thoughts well.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and then follow it up with a short reason or summary as to why you responded a certain way. After that, you can add details or go into more detail. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly, go back to the point you made earlier.
Also, if required to explain your participation on a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could use an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to criteria for selection. When you use STAR, you must state a context,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken followed by the result.
All it is in the body language
Being natural in a stressful situation could be a challenge However, you can learn to communicate professionally. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask you questions and take note of your actions. Are you shifting or fidgeting about nervously? Do you seem rigid, aloof, defensive, or closed off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the message you’re trying to convey? Do you display genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?
Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.
Prior to the interview, make sure you review the description of the position. Assuming you read the job description and then used the roles and responsibilities described therein to modify and customise your resume and other document of selection It is imperative to review the job description and how you will package yourself for the interviewer. Be candid and open concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being realistic about your strengths can allow the interviewer to note your strengths as a potential customer. However, announcing your intention to address your weaknesses will be just as notable.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is to show genuine interest about the job and the company. The best person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like from the job descriptions, or if you have questions that were left unanswered through their FAQ or guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or the general page for hiring about section) Make sure to bring them up after the interview, when your interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer:
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the job, if I am given the chance to work with the team?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline currently"
"What are the opportunities to advance and further education?"
Know your salary expectations
Other benefits and packages for salary are usually advertised alongside the position (or within a set of options in the case of SEEK). However, interviewers may still want to know what salary you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to include a range that you’d like your pay to fall instead of offering an exact number or a set amount. Try to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a any wide range. For instance, if you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a reasonable range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Also, be aware of other perks and benefits too and think about these when you evaluate your salary goals.
Inputting these steps into your purse is important to equip yourself with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and bold.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for interviews, please get in touch with Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants are able to help you through your preparatory phases. Contact us now for an complimentary quote or contact us directly to speak with one our consultants on 0800 024 129.
