A Guide to Interview Preparation
The most difficult aspects of job searching is the dreaded interview round. Interview fear is a natural result of wanting approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. Although talking about oneself may be a natural thing for some however, many are nervous about being asked questions about their work or prior accomplishments. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the anxiety that comes from being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become one of the biggest and most stressful parts that are required to hire.
This doesn’t need to be the situation.
Interviews are a crucial means for the candidate to show that their competencies have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve been through the first step with your resume passing its way through ATS scanners and being considered for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate upon your profile, work history as well as key abilities and knowledge is the aforementioned entrance into the interview when you convince the interviewer that you’re qualified that increases your chances to be selected for the next stage of the selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews in case you’re experiencing concerns about presenting your own achievements. Practice is key and, fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed in advance. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some suggestions you can follow to boost your chances of getting through that interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partly because they want to gather information as well as because they want to see you navigate your way out of potentially contentious issues and issues. For instance, consider the question "Why are you leaving your current job?"
The answer to this question may be because of managerial issues, or worries about work-life balance. No matter the answer but the way that you formulate your response will signal your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Answer honestly and explain your answer with as much objectivity as is possible. This means eliminating all emotional responses, like responses based on feelings or sentiments that are not supported by facts.
Other questions to prepare for include "What made you apply for this position?", "Why should we hire you?", or trick questions like "Why should us not hire you?" The key is not to lose your cool and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Begin with your topic and then provide a concise argument or explanation of why you responded a certain manner. After that, you can add specific examples or provide more details. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly the topic, return to your original point.
Similarly, if you are asked to describe your involvement on a project or task then you can utilize an approach called the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding on selection criteria. When you use STAR the first thing you need to do is write an Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the Result.
It’s all in the body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation could be difficult, but you can always try to practice professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask you questions and note your mannerisms. Are you fidgeting or shifting about nervously? Do you appear intimidating, stiff, defensive or aloof in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the message you’re trying to convey? Do you communicate authenticity, openness and genuine interest?
Take a look at your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, ensure that you review the job description once more. If you have read the job description and then used the roles and duties listed therein to modify and customise your resume and other selection documents, it is important to think about the job description in order to accurately describe yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest on your strength and weakness. Being realistic about your strengths will enable the interviewer to notice your unique selling points as a potential client. However, signalling your intent to address your weak points will be equally important.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the company. The most appropriate person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting from the job descriptions, or if you’ve got any questions that have not been answered on their FAQ page or their guide questions (which typically are found in the job description or the general page for hiring about section) You can raise them at the end of the interview, when your interviewer asks you to pose questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer:
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the job, should I be given the opportunity to join members of your staff?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on in the present"
"What are the opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Salary packages and other benefits are often advertised with 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 include a range that you’d like your pay to fall rather than giving an exact, fixed amount. Be sure to keep the range tight instead of giving a wide margin. For instance, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, an appropriate range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of additional perks and benefits too and think about these when you evaluate your salary goals.
Inputting these steps into your back pocket is essential to equip yourself with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, confident, and confident, and be bold.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for interview preparation, contact Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants are able to help you with your interview preparation stages. Contact us today for an complimentary quote or to call us directly to speak to one of our experts on 0800 215 100.
