A Guide to Interview Preparation
The most daunting aspects of job searching is the fear of an interview. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek the approval and support of others and especially your potential employers. While speaking about themselves may seem natural to certain people however, many are nervous about being asked questions regarding their careers or their previous achievements. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked to answer personal questions interviews have turned out to be an extremely intimidating aspects during the selection process.
This does not have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a great way for the applicant to show that their competencies are, their achievements, and potential. It’s been a while since you’ve made it through the first step by submitting your resume to it through ATS scanners and you getting a callback. The chance to show and elaborate further on your resume, experience, and key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a way to get noticed and if you can convince the interviewer you’re qualified you increase your odds to be selected for the next step of the selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews if you have concerns about presenting your achievements. The practice is essential, and fortunately, interview questions can be practiced in advance. The secret to successful interviews is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can apply to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing future employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions in part, to get information from you as well as in order to help you navigate your way out of potential contentious issues and concerns. Consider, for instance, the question "Why do you want to leave your current position?"
The reason for this could be due to managerial issues, or worries about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason however, the manner the way you frame your response will signal your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Respond honestly and explain your reasoning in the most objective way possible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses , such as answers based on feelings or emotions and are not substantiated by actual facts.
Other questions to consider are "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should we hire your services?", or trick questions like "Why do us 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. Start with your statement and then follow it up with a short note of the reason or reasons why you chose to respond in a specific manner. After that, you can add specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly you can go back to the previous section.
If you’re requested to provide a description of your participation in a project or task then you can use to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to selection criteria. When using STAR it is necessary to describe an Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the result.
The body language
Being natural in a stressful situation could be difficult however, you can practice professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions and take note of your actions. Are you flitting or shifting about nervously? Do you seem stiff, standoffish, defensive or shut off in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with what you want to convey? Do you convey authenticity, openness and genuine concern?
Take a look at your strengths and weaknesses.
Before the interview, ensure that you read the description of the position. Assuming you read the job description and used the roles and responsibilities described therein to modify and customise your resume and other selection documents It is crucial to think about the job description in order to accurately present yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being honest regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to notice your strengths as a prospective client. But, indicating your intention to address your weaknesses will be just as significant.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest in the job and within the business. The best person to inquire questions is your interviewer. If you noticed something interesting within the description of your job, or if you’ve got any questions not answered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or in their general hiring page About section), raise these after the interview when the interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer
"How can I be the best person for the jobif offered the chance to be part of you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects on right now"
"What are the opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Know your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are generally advertised with the position (or as part of a range, when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers may still ask you how much you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to offer a range within which you’d like your earnings to be, rather than providing an exact or set number. Make sure to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of other benefits and perks in addition to these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
The preparation steps you have in your purse is important to ensure you have the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and be courageous.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, you may get in touch with Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants will be able to help you through your preparatory phases. Contact us now for a no-cost quote or call us direct for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 648 974.
