A Guide to Interview Preparation
A major and intimidating aspects of job searching is the dreaded interview round. It is a normal result of wanting acceptance and approval from others particularly from prospective employers. While speaking about themselves may be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked questions regarding their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps because of modesty, or the discomfort that comes with being asked questions that are personal to them, the interview has become one of the most intimidating aspects that are required to hire.
This doesn’t need to be the situation.
Interviews are an important opportunity for applicants to showcase their abilities are, their achievements, and potential. You have already completed the initial step and your resume has made the cut through ATS scanners, and your name getting a callback. The chance to show and elaborate further on one’s profile, employment history and the most important skills and knowledge is the aforementioned step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified this increases your chances of passing through to the next step in 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 luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed prior to the time. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can use to increase your chances of getting through that interview and impressing potential employers.
Be comfortable with difficult questions
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions mostly because they are trying to gain information however, also because they want to help you navigate your way out of potentially contentious issues and concerns. Consider for instance the question "Why are you leaving your current role?"
The answer to the question could be due to management concerns, or issues about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason, however, the manner that you express your response will signal your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Answer honestly and explain your reasoning in the most objective way is possible. This means eliminating any emotional responses , such as answers that are based purely on feelings or emotions and do not have any basis in actual facts.
Other questions to be prepared for include "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should we choose your services?", or trick questions such as "Why do us not hire you?" The key is to not lose composure and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Start with your statement and then provide a concise argument or explanation of why you responded a certain way. Next, provide instances or elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained, go back to the previous section.
Also, if required to explain your participation in a particular project or task it is possible to utilize to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding on selection criteria. When you use STAR it is necessary to describe a context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken as well as the Result.
It’s all in body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful situation could be a tall order However, you can try to practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or have a trusted companion to ask questions of you and observe your body language. Are you shifting or fidgeting about nervously? Do you seem intimidating, stiff, defensive or shut off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect your message you’re trying to make? Do you convey sincerity, authenticity, and genuine interest?
Be aware of your strengths and weak points.
Prior to the interview, make sure you read the job description over again. In the event that you’ve read the description and then used the roles and responsibilities outlined within to customize and modify your resume and other documents for selection It is imperative to think about the job description in order to accurately present yourself to the interviewer. Be candid and open about your strengths and weaknesses. Being truthful about your strengths will enable interviewers to recognize your selling points as a prospective client. However, announcing your intention to improve your weak points will be equally important.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the company. The best person to inquire to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you noticed something interesting within the description of your job or you have questions that were left unanswered through their FAQ or guide questions (which are typically found within the job application or the general page for hiring About section), raise these after the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer include:
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the task, if given the opportunity to be part of you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects on in the present"
"What are the opportunities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Benefits and salary packages are usually advertised alongside the job (or within a set of options, when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers could want to know what salary you’re expecting to earn. A good tip is to include a range that you’d like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact number or a set amount. Make sure to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing a wide margin. For instance, if you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000-$80,000 range or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Consider other perks and benefits too and think about these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
Inputting these steps into your back pocket is essential to ensure you have the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, confident, and confident, and be bold.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants will be able to guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us now for a no-cost quote or call us direct to speak with one our consultants on 1300 456 098.
