Steps to Interview Readiness
One of the most frightening aspects of the job search is the fear of an interview. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek the approval and support of others and especially your potential employers. While speaking about themselves may be natural for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked about their work or prior successes. Perhaps because of modesty, or the anxiety that comes from being asked questions that are personal to them Interviews have become one of the biggest and most nerve-wracking parts in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are the best opportunity for applicants to show that their competencies are, their achievements, and potential. It’s been a while since you’ve completed the initial step by submitting your resume to an appearance on ATS scanners and you getting a callback. This opportunity to present and elaborate further on one’s profile, employment history and the most important skills and abilities is the proverbial way to get noticed If you can convince the interviewer you’re the right candidate this increases your chances to be selected for the next step of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing apprehensions about talking about your personal achievements. It is important to practice, and fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed before the date. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can implement to improve your chances of aceing that interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions in part, to elicit information and information, but also because they want to see how you can get rid of potentially contentious issues and concerns. For instance, consider the question "Why have you decided to quit your current position?"
The answer to the question could be due to problems with management, or concerns about work-life balance. No matter the answer, however, the manner that you formulate your answer will show your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your response with the greatest objectivity can be. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses , such as answers based on sentiments or feelings, and are not supported by facts.
Other important questions to ask include "What did you do to get this role?", "Why should be hiring the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions like "Why do we not take you on?" The key is not to lose your cool and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
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 argument or explanation of why you responded a certain manner. Next, provide specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to your original point.
Similarly, if you are asked to describe your involvement on a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could use an approach called the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding on selection criteria. In using STAR it is necessary to describe an scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the Result.
It’s all in body language
Acting naturally in a stressful environment can be a challenge However, you can practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions and observe your body language. Are you flitting or shifting about with anxiety? Are you looking rigid, aloof, defensive or reserved in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect the message you’re trying to make? Do you convey authenticity, openness, and genuine interest?
Consider your strengths and weak points.
Before the interview, ensure that you read the job description again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume as well as other selection documents, it is important to think about the job description to honestly describe yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest on your strength and weakness. Being honest regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to see your selling points as a prospective client. However, signalling your intent to work on your weak points will be equally important.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine interest in the role and in the business. The best person to approach is the interviewer. If you noticed something interesting within the description of your job, or if you have questions that were left unanswered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which typically are found in the job description or the general page for hiring About section) You can raise them at the conclusion of the interview, after your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer:
"How do I become the best person for the job, should I be offered the chance to work with the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on in the present"
"What are the potential opportunities for further development and training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the position (or as part of a range, for those applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could inquire about the amount you expect to earn. One important tip is to provide a range in which you would like your salary to be, rather than providing an exact or fixed number. Be sure to keep the range as narrow as possible instead of offering a the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a sensible range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any other benefits and perks too and think about these when you are evaluating your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your pocket is crucial to ensure you have the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, feel confident, and be bold.
To assist with 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 guide you through the interview preparation phases. Contact us now for an no-cost quote or to call us directly to speak with one our experts on 1300 202 475.
