Prepping Effectively for Interviews
One of the most difficult aspects of the job search is the dreaded interview round. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting to seek recognition and acceptance from other people particularly from prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may come naturally to some people However, some are uncomfortable being asked about their professional or previous achievements. Perhaps because of modesty, or the anxiety that comes from being asked personal questions, the interview has become one of the biggest and most stressful parts of the hiring process.
This doesn’t need to be the situation.
Interviews are an important way for the applicant to showcase their abilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You’ve already made it through the first step, with your resume making an appearance on ATS scanners, and your name being shortlisted for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate further on your profile, work history as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial way to get noticed when you convince the interviewer that you’re qualified this increases your chances to be selected for to the next step in the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews if you have concerns about presenting your own achievements. Practice is key to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed before the date. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can use to increase your chances of getting through that interview and impressing future employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions in part, to elicit information and information, but also because they want to help you come out of potentially contentious issues and issues. Consider, for instance, the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"
The answer to this question could be due to problems with management, or concerns about work-life balance. No matter the answer but the way that you express 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 possible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses , such as answers based on feelings or emotions and are not supported by facts.
Other important questions to ask are "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should be hiring your services?", or trick questions like "Why do us 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. Start with your statement and follow with a brief reason or summary as to the reasons you responded in a certain way. Next, provide examples or further elaborate. After you have explained thoroughly then return to the point you made earlier.
If you’re requested to provide a description of your participation in a particular project or task it is possible to utilize this method. STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to selection criteria. In using STAR the first thing you need to do is write a scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the Result.
It’s all in the body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful situation may be a challenge but it is possible to make sure you are practicing professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to inquire about your concerns and observe your body language. Are you shifting or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Are you looking rigid, aloof, defensive or aloof in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with your message you’re trying to convey? Do you display authenticity, openness and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, ensure that you go over the description of the position. Assuming you read the job description and then used the roles and responsibilities described therein to modify and customise your resume and other document of selection, it is important to think about the job description to honestly prepare yourself for interviewers. Be upfront and honest concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being honest about your strengths can allow the interviewer to notice your selling points as a prospect. However, signalling your intent to improve your weak points will be equally notable.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine interest in the job and within the business. The best person to approach to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you noticed something interesting in the job description, or if you have any concerns that weren’t answered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or the general page for hiring About section) Make sure to bring them up at the end of the interview, after your interviewer asks you to pose questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer are:
"How do I become the best person for the job, should I be given the opportunity to be part of your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway at the moment"
"What are the possibilities for further development and training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
The salary package and other benefits are typically advertised along with the position (or on a list when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers could ask you how much you expect to earn. An important point to remember is to offer a range within which you would like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact, fixed amount. Be sure to keep the range tight instead of giving the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a good range would be in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of additional perks and benefits as well and consider these when you are evaluating your salary expectations.
These steps to prepare in your bag is vital to ensure you have the readiness to face 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 professional and friendly consultants are able to guide you through the interview preparation steps. Contact us now for an free quotation or to call us directly to speak to one of our consultants on 0800 024 129.
