Mastering Interview Readiness
One of the most intimidating aspect of job hunts is the dreaded interview round. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. While speaking about themselves may seem natural to certain people However, some are uncomfortable being asked about their careers or their previous accomplishments. Perhaps due to modesty or the fear of being asked personal questions The interview process has evolved into one of the most stressful parts in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are a great way for the applicant to showcase their abilities are, their achievements, and potential. You have already passed the first step, with your resume making an appearance on ATS scanners, and your name being shortlisted for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate further on one’s profile, employment history as well as key abilities and expertise is the proverbial step to the front when you convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate that increases your chances of getting through to the next step in the selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews even if you’re having fears about speaking about your accomplishments. Training is the key to success, and fortunately, interview questions can be practiced prior to the time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some helpful tips you can implement to improve your chances of getting through that interview and impressing your future employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions partly because they want to elicit information, but also, because they want to help you come out of potentially contentious issues and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"
The answer to the question may be because of management concerns, or issues with work-life balance, etc. No matter the answer, however, the manner that you express your answer will show your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your response using as much objectivity is possible. This means that you should eliminate all emotional responses, like answers that are based purely on sentiments or feelings, and are not substantiated by facts.
Other questions to be prepared for are "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should us choose to hire your services?", or trick questions such as "Why should we not take you on?" 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 follow up with a short explanation or a brief summary of the reasons you responded in a certain way. Then, add instances or elaborate. After you have explained thoroughly, go back to the previous section.
In the same way, if you’re requested to provide a description of your participation in a task or project then you can use to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond the selection requirements. If you are using STAR the first thing you need to do is write an Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the results.
All it is in the body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful situation may be a daunting task, but you can always try to practice professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask you questions and observe your behavior. Are you moving or fidgeting about with anxiety? Do you look uneasy, aggressive or shut off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect the message you’re trying to convey? Do you show sincerity, authenticity, and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, be sure to review the job description again. Assuming you read the job description and used the roles and responsibilities outlined in the description to make changes to your resume and other document of selection It is essential to think about the job description and how you will prepare yourself for interviewers. Be candid and open on your strength and weakness. Being truthful about your strengths will enable interviewers to recognize your selling points as a prospective client. However, announcing your intention to work on your weaknesses will be just as significant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine interest for the position and the business. The best person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting within the description of your job or if you’ve got any questions not answered on their FAQ page or guide questions (which are usually found in the job application or their general hiring page about section), raise these after the interview, when your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer
"How can I be the best person for the job, should I be given the opportunity to join members of your staff?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the chances for further development and training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are generally advertised with the position (or within a set of options in the case of SEEK). However, the interviewer may inquire about the amount you are expecting. One important tip is to provide a range in which you’d like your pay to fall instead of offering an exact or set number. Try to keep your range tight instead of giving an expansive margin. For instance, if expect to make $75,000 a year, an appropriate 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.
Having these preparatory steps in your purse is important to be prepared with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and be courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials , and also for interview preparation, you may contact Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to help you with your interview preparation stages. Contact us now for an free quotation or to call us directly to speak with one our consultants on 1300 648 974.
