Ace Your Interviews: Preparation Guide
One of the most intimidating aspects of the job search is the interview stage. Interview fear is a natural result of wanting to seek recognition and acceptance from other people and especially your potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be natural for some however, many are nervous about being asked about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps due to modesty or the fear of being asked to answer personal questions interviews have turned out to be one of the biggest and most stressful parts during the selection process.
This doesn’t need to be the scenario.
Interviews are an important opportunity for applicants to showcase their abilities have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve been through the first step with your resume passing it through ATS scanners and being considered for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate further on one’s profile, employment history as well as the key skills and knowledge is the aforementioned step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re a good fit, it boosts your chances of passing through to the next step in the selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with apprehensions about talking about your achievements. The practice is essential and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed in advance. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can implement to improve your chances of getting through that interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions
Interviewers ask challenging questions, mostly because they are trying to get information from you, but also, since they want to help you get out of potentially contentious issues and concerns. Consider for instance the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"
The answer to this question could be due to management issues, or concerns with work-life balance, etc. No matter the answer, however, the manner the way you frame your answer will show your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your answer using as much objectivity possible. This means removing emotional responses like responses based on sentiments or feelings, and are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to consider are "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should be hiring us?", or trick questions like "Why should us not hire you?" The key is to remain calm and arrange your thoughts with care.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and follow with a brief explanation or a brief summary of the reasons you responded in a certain way. Then, add details or go into more detail. After you have explained thoroughly you can go back to the previous section.
In the same way, if you’re requested to provide a description of your participation on a project or task it is possible to apply to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond to selection criteria. In using STAR the first thing you need to do is write the Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the results.
The body language
Being natural in a difficult situation can be difficult, but you can always learn to communicate professionally. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask you questions and observe your behavior. Are you fidgeting or shifting around with a nervousness? Do you look rigid, aloof, defensive or aloof 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 genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?
Consider your strengths and weak points.
Before the interview, you should read the job description once more. If you have read the job description and then used the roles and duties listed in it to alter and personalize your resume and other documents for selection It is crucial to review the job description to honestly prepare yourself for interviewers. Be honest and upfront on your strength and weakness. Being truthful about your strengths will enable interviewers to recognize your selling points as a potential client. However, announcing your intention to address your weaknesses will be just as notable.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is to show genuine interest for the position and the company. The most appropriate person to ask for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting from the job descriptions, or if you’ve got any questions not answered through their FAQ or their guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or in their general hiring page About section) Make sure to bring them up during the interview when the interviewer invites you to ask questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer are:
"How do I become the best person for the task, if given the chance to join members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects on at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are often advertised with the position (or as part of a range for those applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still ask you how much you’re expecting to earn. A good tip is to give a range of where you’d like your pay to fall instead of offering an exact number or a set amount. Be sure to keep the range as narrow as possible instead of offering a a wide margin. For instance, if expect to make $75,000 a year, an appropriate choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Be aware of any other benefits and perks as well and consider these when you consider your salary expectations.
The preparation steps you have in your pocket is crucial to ensure you have the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, self-assured and be courageous.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials , and also for interview preparation, you may get in touch with Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants are able to help you with your interview preparation steps. Contact us now for your complimentary quote or to call us directly to speak with one of our experts on 1300 297 507.
