A Guide to Interview Preparation
The most frightening aspects of job hunting is the dreaded interview round. The fear of an interview is a natural consequence of seeking approval and validation from others, especially from your prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may come naturally to some people, others are apprehensive about being asked questions regarding their careers or their previous successes. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become an extremely intimidating aspects during the selection process.
It doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are the best means for the candidate to showcase their abilities are, their achievements, and potential. You have already passed the first step, with your resume making an appearance on ATS scanners, and your name being considered for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate upon the profile of your employer, background as well as key abilities and expertise is the proverbial foot in the door: if you convince the interviewer you have what it takes this increases your chances to be selected for the next stage of the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews even if you’re having concerns about presenting your achievements. Training is the key to success to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed in advance. The secret to successful interviews is preparation, and here are some helpful tips you can implement to improve your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions in part, to gain information however, also because they want to see how you can get rid of potential contentious issues and worries. Take for example the question "Why are you resigning from your current job?"
The answer to the question could be due to problems with management, or concerns about work-life balance. Whatever the reason but the way that you formulate your answer will show your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your answer with the greatest objectivity is possible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses such as answers that are based purely on feelings or sentiments and are not substantiated by evidence.
Other questions to consider are "What did you do to get this position?", "Why should we choose us?", or trick questions such as "Why do you not take you on?" The key is to stay calm and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Start with your statement and then follow it up with a short argument or explanation of why you chose to respond in a specific way. Then, add details or go into more detail. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly, go back to the point you made earlier.
If you’re asked to write about your involvement in a task or project then you can employ an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to selection criteria. In using STAR it is necessary to describe a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken then the Result.
The body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation could be a challenge however, you can try to practice professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions of you and take note of your actions. Are you shifting or fidgeting about nervously? Do you look stiff, standoffish, defensive or aloof in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with what you want to make? Do you communicate authenticity, openness, and genuine interest?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to the interview, ensure that you review the job description over again. Assuming you read the job description and applied the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to your resume and other documents for selection It is crucial to look at the job description in order to accurately present yourself to the interviewer. Be open and honest on your strength and weakness. Being truthful about your strengths will enable interviewers to recognize your strengths as a prospect. But, indicating your intention to improve your weak points will be equally relevant.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the business. The best person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you have noticed something intriguing in the job description or if you have questions that have not been answered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are usually found in the job application or the general page for hiring About section) You can raise them at the end of 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 job, if I am given the chance to work with you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects on in the present"
"What are the possibilities to advance and further education?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are generally advertised with the position (or in a variety for those applying through SEEK). However, the interviewer may inquire about the amount you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to provide a range in which you’d like your pay to fall instead of offering an exact, fixed amount. Try to keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a a wide margin. For instance, if expect to make $75,000 a year, a good range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of other perks and benefits as well and consider these when you consider your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your purse is important for ensuring you are in ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, self-assured and be courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for interview preparation, reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to assist you in your preparation phases. Contact us now for your complimentary quote or phone us directly for a chat with one of our consultants at 0800 215 100.
