Ready Yourself for Interviews
Perhaps the most intimidating aspect of job hunts is the fear of an interview. Interview fear is a natural consequence of seeking the approval and support of others and especially your potential employers. Although talking about oneself may seem natural to certain people However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions about their professional or previous accomplishments. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked personal questions, the interview has become an extremely intimidating parts during the selection process.
It doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are an important means for the candidate to prove their capabilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. It’s been a while since you’ve completed the initial step with your resume passing the cut through ATS scanners and you being selected for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate further on your resume, experience as well as the key skills and knowledge is the aforementioned way to get noticed: if you convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate that increases your chances of getting through to the next step in the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with fears about speaking about your personal achievements. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some tips that you can apply to boost your chances of getting through that interview and impressing future employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions.
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions partially because they wish to get information from you, but also, because they want to help you get out of potentially contentious questions and worries. For instance, consider the question "Why are you resigning from your current job?"
The reason for this may be because of problems with management, or concerns about work-life balance. No matter the answer, however, the manner in which you phrase your response will signal your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your answer using as much objectivity feasible. This means removing any emotional responses , such as answers that are based purely on feelings or emotions and are not supported by facts.
Other questions to be prepared for are "What inspired you to apply for this job?", "Why should us choose to hire your services?", or trick questions such as "Why do us not hire you?" The key is to remain calm and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and then provide a concise note of the reason or reasons the reasons you responded in a certain manner. After that, you can add details or go into more detail. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to your original point.
If you’re required to explain your participation in a project or task it is possible to apply the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding the selection requirements. In using STAR, you must state a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the result.
It’s all in body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation may be difficult however, you can practice professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to inquire about your concerns and take note of your actions. Are you moving or fidgeting about nervously? Do you appear uneasy, aggressive or aloof in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match the point you are trying to convey? Do you convey genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?
Take a look at your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before the interview, make sure you read the job description again. If you have read the job description and used the roles and duties listed within to customize and modify your resume as well as other selection documents, it is important to think about the job description and how you will prepare yourself for interviewers. Be honest and upfront about your strengths and weaknesses. Being truthful about your strengths can allow interviewers to recognize your selling points as a prospective client. However, announcing your intention to improve your weaknesses is just as important.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest for the position and the company. The most appropriate person to ask is the interviewer. If you have noticed something intriguing within the description of your job, or if you’ve got any concerns that weren’t answered through their FAQ or the guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or in the general page for hiring About section) Make sure to bring them up at the end of the interview, when your interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer include:
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the task, if given the opportunity to work alongside your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway right now"
"What are the opportunities to advance and further education?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Other benefits and packages for salary are usually advertised alongside the position (or within a set of options, when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers may still ask you how much you anticipate earning. The most important thing to do is include a range that you’d like your pay to be, rather than providing an exact or set number. Try to keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a sensible range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 or anything in the range of $10,000. Consider other perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you are evaluating your salary expectations.
The preparation steps you have in your pocket is crucial for ensuring you are in ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, self-assured and be courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials and for interview preparation, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants will be able to help you with your interview preparation phases. Contact us now for an free quote or call us direct to speak with one our consultants at 1300 202 475.
