Mastering Interview Readiness
A major and daunting aspects of job searching is the daunting interview process. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting the approval and support of others particularly from prospective employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be natural for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions about their professional or previous achievements. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the fear of being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become among the more nerve-wracking parts of the hiring process.
This doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are a crucial way for the applicant to show that their competencies, achievements, and potentials. It’s been a while since you’ve made it through the first step, with your resume making its way through ATS scanners and you being selected for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate further on your profile, work history, and key skills and abilities is the proverbial entrance into the interview and if you can convince the interviewer you have what it takes you increase your odds of passing the next phase of the selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with apprehensions about talking about your own achievements. It is important to practice and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can follow to boost your chances of aceing that interview and impressing prospective employers:
Get comfortable around tricky questions.
Interviewers ask challenging questions, mostly because they are trying to get information from you as well as because they want to help you come out of potentially contentious topics and worries. For instance, consider the question "Why do you want to leave your current position?"
The answer to the question may be because of managerial issues, or worries about work-life balance. No matter the answer, however, the manner in which you phrase the answer will indicate your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your responses using as much objectivity feasible. This means removing any emotional responses such as answers based on sentiments or feelings, that are not supported by factual evidence.
Other questions to prepare for are "What did you do to get this role?", "Why should us choose to hire us?", or trick questions like "Why should you not employ 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. Start with your statement and follow with a brief argument or explanation of the reason you reacted in a particular manner. Next, provide instances or elaborate. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly then return to the point you made earlier.
Also, if required to explain your participation on a project or task, you may apply to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is often used when responding the selection requirements. If you are using STAR you will need to write an scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the result.
It’s all in the body language
Behaving naturally in a difficult situation can be difficult, but you can always try to practice professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or have a trusted companion to ask you questions and note your mannerisms. Are you moving or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you appear intimidating, stiff, defensive or shut off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match the message you’re trying to make? Do you display authenticity, openness and genuine concern?
Think about your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to the interview, ensure that you read the job description over again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume and other documents for selection, it is important to think about the job description to clearly package yourself for the interviewer. Be open and honest on your strength and weakness. Being realistic about your strengths will enable the interviewer to see your unique selling points as a prospective client. However, announcing your intention to address your weak points will be equally notable.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest in the job and within 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 in the job description or if you have questions that have not been answered by their FAQ page or their guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or the general page for hiring About section) Bring them up after the interview when the interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer are:
"How do I become the most qualified person for this job, if I am given the opportunity to work alongside members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects on at the moment"
"What are the chances to advance and further education?"
Know your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are often advertised with the job (or on a list, if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could ask you how much you expect to earn. One important tip is to offer a range within which you’d like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact or fixed number. Be sure to keep the limit to a narrow range instead of providing an expansive margin. For instance, if expect to make $75,000 a year, an appropriate range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Also, be aware of additional perks and benefits too and think about these when you think about your salary expectations.
Inputting these steps into your back pocket is essential to ensure you have the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and bold.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials , and also for interviews, please get in touch with Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants are able to help you with your interview preparation stages. Contact us today for your complimentary quote or contact us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 202 475.
