A Guide to Interview Preparation
The most difficult aspects of job hunting is the interview stage. It is a normal result of wanting to seek approval and validation from others particularly from prospective employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be a natural thing for some, others are apprehensive about being asked about their careers or their previous accomplishments. Perhaps because of modesty, or the fear of being asked questions about their personal life interviews have turned out to be one of the most intimidating parts during the selection process.
It doesn’t have 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 with your resume passing an appearance on ATS scanners and you getting a callback. This opportunity to present and elaborate further on the profile of your employer, background and the most important skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a way to get noticed: if you convince the interviewer you’re qualified that increases your chances of passing through the next stage of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with apprehensions about talking about your achievements. The practice is essential, and fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed before the date. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can use to increase your chances of nailing the interview and impressing 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 you get out of potentially contentious questions and issues. Take for example the question "Why do you want to leave your current position?"
The reason for this may be because of management issues, or concerns with work-life balance, etc. No matter the answer, however, the manner in which you phrase your response will signal your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your reasoning in the most objective way is possible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses , such as responses based on feelings or sentiments and are not substantiated by actual facts.
Other important questions to ask include "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should we hire you?", or trick questions such as "Why do you not hire you?" The key is to remain calm and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and then follow it up with a short argument or explanation of why you responded a certain manner. After that, you can add specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to the previous section.
Also, if required to explain your participation in a particular project or task, you may apply to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond on selection criteria. If you are using STAR, you must state the context,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken as well as the Result.
It’s all in body language
Acting naturally in a stressful situation could be difficult, but you can always practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or have a trusted companion to ask questions and observe your behavior. Are you moving or fidgeting about with anxiety? Are you looking rigid, aloof, defensive or reserved in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with what you want to convey? Do you convey genuineness, honesty and genuine concern?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to your interview, be sure to read the job description once more. Assuming you read the job description and utilized the roles and responsibilities outlined in the description to make changes to your resume and other documents for selection It is imperative to think about the job description to honestly describe yourself to the interviewer. Be candid and open about your strengths and weaknesses. Being open about your strengths can allow the interviewer to see your unique selling points as a potential customer. However, showing your determination to work on your weak points will be equally relevant.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest for the position and the business. The best person to ask for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you’ve noticed something you like within the description of your job or if you have concerns that weren’t answered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or in the general page for hiring About section), raise these after the interview when the interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer:
"How do I become the best person for the job, if I am given the chance to work with you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline currently"
"What are the opportunities to advance and further education?"
Know your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are usually advertised alongside the position (or within a set of options, if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could be interested in knowing what you expect to earn. The most important thing to do is include a range that you would like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact or set number. Keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a the possibility of a large margin. For example, if you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Be aware of any other perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you think about your salary goals.
Inputting these steps into your back pocket is essential for ensuring you are in capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident and bold.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents or credentials as well as interview preparation, you may reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to assist you in your preparation stages. Contact us now for a free quote or call us direct to speak with one of our consultants on 1300 993 659.
