A Guide to Interview Preparation
The most difficult aspect of job hunts is the dreaded interview round. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking the approval and support of others and especially your potential employers. While speaking about themselves may come naturally to some people however, many are nervous about being asked questions about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked personal questions, the interview has become among the more stressful parts during the selection process.
It doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are an important opportunity for applicants to show that their competencies, achievements, and potentials. It’s been a while since you’ve been through the first step and your resume has made the cut through ATS scanners and your name being shortlisted for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate further on the profile of your employer, background and the most important skills and expertise is the proverbial entrance into the interview and if you can convince the interviewer you’re the right candidate, it boosts your chances of passing through the next step of the selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with doubts about speaking about your accomplishments. It is important to practice and luckily, interview questions can be practiced ahead of time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can apply to boost your chances of aceing that interview and impressing potential employers.
Get comfortable around tricky questions
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partially because they wish to get information from you and information, but also in order to help you come out of potentially contentious questions and issues. Consider for instance the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"
The answer to the question could be due to management concerns, or issues about work-life balance. Whatever the reason but the way the way you frame the answer will indicate your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your responses with as much objectivity as possible. This includes removing all emotional responses, like answers based on emotions or feelings that are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to consider are "What did you do to get this role?", "Why should we choose you?", or trick questions like "Why do be able to not take you on?" 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 follow up with a short explanation or a brief summary of why you responded a certain manner. Next, provide examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained then return to your original point.
Similarly, if you are asked to write about your involvement in a task or project then you can utilize this method. STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond the selection requirements. If you are using STAR you will need to write a context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken as well as the Result.
It’s all in body language
Behaving naturally in a difficult situation can be difficult However, you can learn to communicate professionally. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions of you and observe your behavior. Are you fidgeting or shifting around with a nervousness? Are you looking uneasy, aggressive, or closed off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect the point you are trying to convey? Do you display authenticity, openness and genuine concern?
Take a look at your strengths and weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, be sure to go over the job description again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities outlined in the description to make changes to your resume and other selection documents It is imperative to review the job description to honestly present 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 unique selling points as a prospect. But, indicating your intention to improve your weaknesses will also be important.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine interest in the job and within the business. The best person to ask for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting on the resume, or if you have questions that were left unanswered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are typically found within the job application or the general page for hiring About section), raise these after the interview, after your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the jobif given the opportunity to join the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on right now"
"What are the possibilities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Benefits and salary packages are usually advertised alongside the position (or within a set of options, for those applying through SEEK). But, interviewers might inquire about the amount you anticipate earning. A good tip is to provide a range in which you’d like your pay to be based instead of giving an exact, fixed amount. Keep your range tight instead of giving an expansive margin. For instance, if anticipate earning $75,000 per year, an appropriate range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 or anything in the range of $10,000. Be aware of any additional perks and benefits too and think about these when you evaluate your salary goals.
Inputting these steps into your back pocket is essential to be prepared with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured, and be bold.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and certificates, as well as for the preparation for your interview, contact Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants can help you through your preparatory steps. Contact us now for the complimentary quote or contact us directly to speak with one of our experts on 1300 297 507.
