A Guide to Interview Preparation
A major and intimidating aspects of job searching is the daunting interview process. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be a natural thing for some however, many are nervous about being asked questions regarding their professional or previous successes. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked personal questions The interview process has evolved into an extremely stressful parts in the process of hiring.
It doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are an important way for the applicant to show that their competencies have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve already passed the first step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners and you getting a callback. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate upon the profile of your employer, background as well as the key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate that increases your chances of getting through the next phase of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews even if you’re having fears about speaking about your achievements. Training is the key to success and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The key to a flawless interview is preparation, and here are some suggestions you can follow to boost your chances of getting through that interview and impressing potential employers.
Get comfortable around tricky questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions partly because they want to elicit information however, also because they want to see you navigate your way out of potential contentious issues and concerns. Consider for instance the question "Why are you resigning from your current job?"
The answer may be because of management concerns, or issues with work-life balance, etc. No matter the answer, however, the manner the way you frame your response will signal your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your responses with the greatest objectivity possible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses , such as answers that are based purely on emotions or feelings that are not supported by factual evidence.
Other questions to prepare for include "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should we hire you?", or trick questions such as "Why do be able to not take you on?" The key is to stay calm and plan your thoughts well.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and follow up with a short note of the reason or reasons why you chose to respond in a specific manner. After that, you can add details or go into more detail. After you have explained thoroughly the topic, return to your original point.
Similarly, if you are requested to provide a description of your participation in a project or task it is possible to apply an approach called the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond to criteria for selection. When you use STAR the first thing you need to do is write the scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the final result.
The body language
Acting naturally in a difficult situation can be a daunting task However, you can practice professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or have a trusted companion to ask questions of you and take note of your actions. Are you flitting or shifting about nervously? Do you appear rigid, aloof, defensive or reserved in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the message you’re trying to make? Do you show sincerity, authenticity and genuine concern?
Think about your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before the interview, make sure you go over the job description again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and then used the roles and responsibilities outlined therein to modify and customise your resume and other documents for selection It is imperative to think about the job description and how you will prepare yourself for interviewers. Be open and honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Being open regarding your strengths will allow interviewers to recognize your strengths as a potential customer. But, indicating your intention to work on your weak points will be equally relevant.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the business. The best person to ask is the interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting on the resume or if you’ve got any questions not answered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which can be found in the job application or their general hiring page About section) Bring them up at the end of the interview, when your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer:
"How do I become the best person for the task, if given the chance to be part of the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on right now"
"What are the opportunities to further develop and learn?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Benefits and salary packages are generally advertised with the position (or within a set of options, if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still inquire about the amount you are expecting. The most important thing to do is offer a range within which you’d like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact or fixed number. Make sure to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing any wide range. For instance, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, an appropriate range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any other perks and benefits as well and consider these when you are evaluating your salary expectations.
Inputting these steps into your back pocket is essential for ensuring you are in capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured, and be bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials , and also for the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants are able to help you through your preparatory phases. Contact us now for an free quote or call us direct to speak with one our consultants at 0800 215 100.
