Prepping Effectively for Interviews
Perhaps the most frightening aspects of job searching is the dreaded interview round. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting the approval and support of others and especially your potential employers. While speaking about themselves may come naturally to some people, others are apprehensive about being asked about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort that comes with being asked questions that are personal to them The interview process has evolved into one of the biggest and most nerve-wracking parts in the process of hiring.
It doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a crucial way for the applicant to demonstrate their skills, achievements, and potentials. You’ve already made it through the first step with your resume passing it through ATS scanners and your name being considered for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate further on your profile, work history, and key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a entrance into the interview and if you can convince the interviewer that you have what it takes you increase your odds of passing through the next phase of the selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews if you have doubts about speaking about your personal achievements. Practice is key, and fortunately, interview questions can be practiced ahead of time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some tips that you can follow to boost your chances of getting through that interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions
Interviewers ask challenging questions, mostly because they are trying to get information from you, but also, because they want to help you come out of potentially contentious issues and concerns. Consider for instance the question "Why do you want to leave your current role?"
The reason for this could be due to managerial issues, or worries with work-life balance, etc. Whatever the reason however, the manner that you express the answer will indicate your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your responses with as much objectivity as feasible. This means removing emotional responses like answers based on sentiments or feelings, and are not substantiated by factual evidence.
Other questions to consider are "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should be hiring your services?", or trick questions like "Why should be able to not choose you?" The key is not to lose your cool and arrange your thoughts with care.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Start with your statement and follow with a brief note of the reason or reasons why you responded a certain manner. Then, add specific examples or provide more details. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly you can go back to the previous section.
Similarly, if you are required to explain your participation in a particular project or task, you may employ an approach called the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding on selection criteria. When you use STAR you will need to write an context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the result.
It’s all in the body language
Being natural in a difficult situation can be a tall order however, you can make sure you are practicing professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions of you and note your mannerisms. Are you flitting or shifting about nervously? Do you appear rigid, aloof, defensive or shut off in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match the message you’re trying to make? Do you convey authenticity, openness and genuine concern?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses
Before the interview, be sure to read the job description once more. In the event that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities listed in it to alter and personalize your resume and other documents for selection It is imperative to look at the job description to clearly package yourself for the interviewer. Be honest and upfront on your strength and weakness. Being open about your strengths will allow interviewers to recognize your selling points as a potential customer. However, signalling your intent to address your weaknesses will be just as relevant.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the business. 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 not answered on their FAQ page or their guide questions (which typically are found in the job application or their general hiring page About section) Bring them up at the end of the interview when the interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer:
"How do I become the most suitable person for the job, if I am offered the chance to work with the team?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway right now"
"What are the possibilities for advancement and further training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the job (or in a variety, when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers may still be interested in knowing what you anticipate earning. A good tip is to offer a range within which you’d like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact, fixed amount. Make sure to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing an expansive margin. If, for instance, you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a good choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of other perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you think about your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your pocket is crucial to be prepared with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, feel confident, and be bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials , and also for interviews, please contact Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants can help you with your interview preparation stages. Contact us today for the free quotation or to call us directly to speak with one our consultants on 1300 202 475.
