Steps to Interview Readiness
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 approval and validation from others in particular from potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might come naturally to some people however, many are nervous about being asked questions regarding their work or prior successes. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked questions that are personal to them, the interview has become one of the most stressful parts that are required to hire.
This doesn’t need to be the scenario.
Interviews are a great opportunity for applicants to show that their competencies as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You’ve made it through the first step, with your resume making an appearance on ATS scanners and being selected for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate on the profile of your employer, background as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial way to get noticed and if you can convince the interviewer that you have what it takes that increases your chances of getting through the next phase of the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing apprehensions about talking about your accomplishments. The practice is essential, and fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed before the date. The key to a flawless interview is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can apply to boost your chances at nailing that interview and impressing prospective employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions mostly because they are trying to gather information however, also because they want to see you get out of potentially contentious questions and issues. Consider for instance the question "Why are you resigning from your current job?"
The reason for this could be due to management concerns, or issues regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason however, the manner the way you frame your answer will show your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Answer honestly and explain your responses in the most objective way possible. This means removing emotional responses like responses that are based solely on sentiments or feelings, and do not have any basis in evidence.
Other questions to be prepared for are "What did you do to get this role?", "Why should us choose to hire us?", or trick questions such as "Why do you not choose you?" The key is to remain calm and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and follow up with a short note of the reason or reasons why you responded a certain manner. Next, provide details or go into more detail. Once you’ve thoroughly explained, go back to the previous section.
If you’re asked to write about your involvement in a particular project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could employ an approach called the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to criteria for selection. When you use STAR, you must state a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the Result.
The body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation could be difficult but it is possible to try to practice professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask questions and take note of your actions. Are you moving or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you appear stiff, standoffish, defensive or reserved in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with what you want to convey? Do you convey authenticity, openness and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, ensure that you go over the job description over again. If you have read the job description and used the roles and responsibilities described within to customize and modify your resume as well as other selection documents It is crucial to think about the job description in order to accurately present yourself to the interviewer. Be open and honest on your strength and weakness. Being honest about your strengths can allow the interviewer to notice your unique selling points as a prospect. But, indicating your intention to work on your weaknesses is just as significant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine interest about the job and the company. The best person to approach to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you noticed something interesting within the description of your job or if you have any questions that were left unanswered by their FAQ page or their guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or the general page for hiring about section) Bring them up during the interview when the interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer include:
"How can I be the most suitable person for the jobif given the opportunity to be part of members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway in the present"
"What are the possibilities for further development and training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
The salary package and other benefits are often advertised with the position (or within a set of options, if applying through SEEK). But, interviewers might be interested in knowing what you are expecting. One important tip is to offer a range within which you would like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact or fixed number. Make sure to keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a sensible range would be anywhere in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any other benefits and perks also and take these into consideration when you think about your salary goals.
The preparation steps you have in your pocket is crucial for ensuring you are in ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, confident, and confident and bold.
To assist with recruitment-related documents or credentials as well as the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants can help you through your preparatory stages. Contact us today for a free quote or phone us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 0800 215 100.
