A Guide to Interview Preparation
The most intimidating aspect of job hunts is the dreaded interview round. Interview fear is a natural consequence of seeking recognition and acceptance from other people and especially your potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be a natural thing for some but others feel nervous about being asked questions regarding their career or past achievements. Perhaps out of modesty and the anxiety that comes from being asked questions about their personal life The interview process has evolved into an extremely stressful parts that are required to hire.
This does not have to be the scenario.
Interviews are the best means for the candidate to showcase their abilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You have already made it through the first step, with your resume making the cut through ATS scanners and your name being considered for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate further on your profile, work history as well as key abilities and abilities is the proverbial way to get noticed: if you convince the interviewer that you’re a good fit this increases your chances to be selected for the next step of the final selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews even if you’re having doubts about speaking about your achievements. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be practiced in advance. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some helpful tips you can implement to improve your chances of getting through that interview and impressing future employers.
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions
Interviewers ask challenging questions, mostly because they are trying to get information from you however, also because they want to see you come out of potentially contentious questions and issues. Take for example the question "Why are you resigning from your current position?"
The reason for this could be due to problems with management, or concerns with work-life balance, etc. No matter the answer, however, the manner that you formulate your response will signal your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your response with as much objectivity as feasible. This means removing emotional responses like answers based on feelings or sentiments and do not have any basis in evidence.
Other questions to prepare for are "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should us choose to hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions such as "Why do us not choose you?" The key is to not lose composure and plan your thoughts well.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and then provide a concise argument or explanation of why you chose to respond in a specific manner. Next, provide examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly the topic, return to your previous point.
In the same way, if you’re asked to describe your involvement in a project or task, you may utilize an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to selection criteria. In using STAR you will need to write a context,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken then the final result.
It’s all in the body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful environment can be a challenge However, you can practice professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to inquire about your concerns and note your mannerisms. Are you shifting or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you look rigid, aloof, defensive or reserved in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with the message you’re trying to make? Do you convey sincerity, authenticity and genuine concern?
Think about your strengths and weak points.
Prior to the interview, you should review the job description over again. If you have 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 important to review the job description and how you will package yourself for the interviewer. Be upfront and honest on your strength and weakness. Being open about your strengths can allow the interviewer to notice your unique selling points as a prospective client. But, indicating your intention to improve your weak points will be equally notable.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine interest in the job and within the company. The best person to approach questions is your interviewer. If you have noticed something intriguing within the description of your job or if you’ve got any questions not answered through their FAQ or the guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or in their general hiring page About section), raise these after the interview when the interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer include:
"How do I become the most qualified person for this job, if I am given the chance to be part of you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the possibilities for advancement and further training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are often advertised with the job (or as part of a range, if applying through SEEK). However, the interviewer may ask you how much you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to give a range of where you’d like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact or set number. Be sure to keep the limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a the possibility of a large margin. If, for instance, you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a good range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of other benefits and perks as well and consider these when you evaluate your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital for ensuring you are in confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment or credentials as well as interview preparation, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants can assist you in your preparation stages. Contact us today for your free quote or contact us directly to speak with one of our consultants at 1300 297 507.
