Prepping Effectively for Interviews
One of the most difficult aspects of the job search is the interview stage. It is a normal consequence of seeking approval and validation from others in particular from potential employers. While speaking about themselves may be a natural thing for some however, many are nervous about being asked questions about their career or past achievements. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked questions about their personal life Interviews have become one of the biggest and most nerve-wracking parts in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t need to be the case.
Interviews are a great way for the applicant 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 an appearance on ATS scanners, and your name being shortlisted for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate on the profile of your employer, background and the most important skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a way to get noticed and if you can convince the interviewer you’re qualified, it boosts your chances to be selected for the next step of the selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews even if you’re having concerns about presenting your personal achievements. Practice is key to a successful interview, and luckily, the 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 at nailing that interview and impressing your future employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions in part, to gain information, but also, since they want to help you get out of potentially contentious topics and issues. Take for example the question "Why are you resigning from your current job?"
The answer could be due to problems with management, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason but the way that you express your answer will demonstrate your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your reasoning with as much objectivity as possible. This means that you should eliminate all emotional responses, like answers based on feelings or sentiments and do not have any basis in facts.
Other questions to prepare for are "What made you apply for this role?", "Why should we hire your services?", or trick questions like "Why do we not take you on?" The key is not to lose your cool and plan your thoughts well.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Begin with your topic and then provide a concise reason or summary as to the reason you reacted in a particular manner. Next, provide examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to your previous point.
In the same way, if you’re required to explain your participation on a project or task then you can apply this method. STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to criteria for selection. If you are using STAR, you must state the Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the final result.
It’s all in body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful environment can be a tall order, but you can always try to practice professional communication. 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 about with anxiety? Do you seem uneasy, aggressive or shut off in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match what you want to convey? Do you display genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, make sure you go over the job description again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and utilized the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to your resume and other document of selection, it is important to think about the job description in order to accurately package yourself for the interviewer. Be open and honest on your strength and weakness. Being honest about your strengths can allow the interviewer to note your unique selling points as a prospective client. However, showing your determination to address your weak points will be equally notable.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the role and in the company. The best person to inquire for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you noticed something interesting within the description of your job, or you have questions not answered by their FAQ page or guide questions (which are typically found within the job description or their general hiring page About section), raise these at the conclusion of the interview when the interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer are:
"How do I become the best person for the jobif offered the chance to work with your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline at the moment"
"What are the chances for advancement and further training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
The salary package and other benefits are generally advertised with the position (or within a set of options, in the case of SEEK). But, interviewers might ask you how much you are expecting. The most important thing to do is give a range of where you would like your salary to be, rather than providing an exact or set number. Make sure to keep your range tight instead of giving a wide margin. For instance, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, a sensible range would be anywhere in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Consider additional perks and benefits as well and consider these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital to be prepared with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, be self-assured and be courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for the preparation for your interview, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants can guide you through the interview preparation steps. Contact us now for an free quote or to call us directly to speak with one our experts on 1300 631 916.
