Ready Yourself for Interviews
The most intimidating aspects of job searching is the fear of an interview. Interview fear is a natural result of wanting approval and validation from others, especially from your prospective employers. While speaking about themselves may be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked about their professional or previous achievements. Perhaps because of modesty, or the anxiety that comes from being asked to answer personal questions interviews have turned out to be one of the most stressful parts that are required to hire.
It doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are the best means for the candidate to demonstrate their skills as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You’ve already been through the first step, with your resume making its way through ATS scanners and your name being selected for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate further on the profile of your employer, background, and key skills and knowledge is the aforementioned step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer you’re qualified, it boosts your chances to be selected for the next stage of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews if you have fears about speaking about your accomplishments. Training is the key to success and luckily, interview questions can be practiced before the date. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some helpful tips you can apply to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing prospective employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers pose challenging questions partially because they wish to gather information however, also because they want to see you get out of potential contentious issues and concerns. Consider, for instance, the question "Why have you decided to quit your current role?"
The answer could be due to management concerns, or issues with work-life balance, etc. No matter the answer, however, the manner in which you phrase your answer will demonstrate your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your reasoning in the most objective way can be. This means removing any emotional responses , such as answers that are based purely on feelings or emotions and are not substantiated by facts.
Other questions to prepare for are "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should we hire your services?", or trick questions like "Why do us not choose you?" The key is to not lose composure 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 then follow it up with a short explanation or a brief summary of the reason you reacted in a particular way. Next, provide details or go into more detail. After you have explained thoroughly you can go back to your original point.
In the same way, if you’re asked to describe your involvement in a project or task then you can utilize to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to selection criteria. When you use STAR you will need to write a scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken then the Result.
It’s all in body language
Behaving naturally in a difficult situation can be difficult, but you can always learn to communicate professionally. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions and take note of your actions. Are you shifting or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you look stiff, standoffish, defensive or reserved in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with the point you are trying to convey? Do you show genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, you should read the job description once more. Assuming you read the job description and applied the roles and responsibilities described therein to modify and customise your resume and other document of selection It is imperative to look at the job description and how you will describe yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Being realistic about your strengths will allow the interviewer to notice your unique selling points as a potential customer. However, announcing your intention to address your weaknesses is just as important.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the business. The most appropriate person to ask is the interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description, or if you have any questions that were left unanswered by their FAQ page or their guide questions (which are usually found in the job application or their general hiring page about section), raise these at the conclusion of the interview when the interviewer asks you to pose questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer:
"How can I be the best person for the job, if I am given the chance to work with you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline currently"
"What are the potential opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Other benefits and packages for salary are usually advertised alongside the job (or in a variety in the case of SEEK). But, interviewers might be interested in knowing what you anticipate earning. One important tip is to give a range of where you would like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact number or a set amount. Make sure to keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a any wide range. For instance, if anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Be mindful of other perks and benefits as well and consider these when you consider your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your pocket is crucial to be prepared with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident and bold.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment or credentials as well as interview preparation, you may contact Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants are able to help you with your interview preparation steps. Contact us today to receive the no-cost quote or to call us directly to speak with one of our experts on 1300 631 916.
