Prepping Effectively for Interviews
One of the most daunting aspects of job searching is the dreaded interview round. Interview fear is a natural result of wanting to seek approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might seem natural to certain people however, many are nervous about being asked questions regarding their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps due to modesty or the fear of being asked questions about their personal life interviews have turned out to be one of the most intimidating aspects during the selection process.
It doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are the best means for the candidate to prove their capabilities are, their achievements, and potential. You’ve already completed the initial step and your resume has made it through ATS scanners and your name being considered for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate on your resume, experience as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial step to the front: if you convince the interviewer that you’re qualified, it boosts your chances to be selected for the next stage of the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews even if you’re having concerns about presenting your personal achievements. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed in advance. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some tips that you can follow to boost your chances of aceing that interview and impressing prospective employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions.
Interviewers ask challenging questions, mostly because they are trying to gather information however, also because they want to see how you can get rid of potentially contentious topics and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why do you want to leave your current role?"
The answer could be due to managerial issues, or worries with work-life balance, etc. Whatever the reason but the way that you formulate your response will signal your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your reasoning using as much objectivity feasible. This includes removing all emotional responses, like answers based on emotions or feelings and are not substantiated by actual facts.
Other important questions to ask include "What did you do to get this position?", "Why should be hiring us?", or trick questions like "Why do we not hire you?" The key is to stay calm and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Begin with your topic and follow up with a short explanation or a brief summary of why you chose to respond in a specific manner. Next, provide specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly you can go back to your previous point.
If you’re asked to write about your involvement on a project or task then you can use an approach called the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond to selection criteria. When using STAR the first thing you need to do is write a context,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken followed by the result.
It’s all in body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful environment can be a challenge however, you can try to practice professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions of you and observe your behavior. Are you flitting or shifting about with anxiety? Do you look uneasy, aggressive or aloof in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with your message you’re trying to make? Do you communicate openness, sincerity and genuine concern?
Take a look at your strengths and weak points.
Prior to your interview, be sure to go over the job description once more. Assuming that you’ve read the description and utilized the roles and responsibilities outlined in the description to make changes to your resume as well as other selection documents It is imperative to review the job description to honestly present yourself to the interviewer. Be candid and open about your strengths and weaknesses. Being open about your strengths will enable the interviewer to notice your selling points as a potential customer. However, signalling your intent to address your weaknesses will also be notable.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine interest for the position and the company. The most appropriate person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you noticed something interesting from the job descriptions or if you have any concerns that weren’t answered on their FAQ page or guide questions (which are usually found in the job application or the general page for hiring about section), raise these at the end of the interview when the interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer include:
"How do I become the best person for the job, should I be given the chance to join the team?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Know your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are often advertised with the position (or as part of a range, in the case of SEEK). But, interviewers might inquire about the amount you anticipate earning. An important point to remember is to give a range of where you would like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact or set number. Be sure to keep the limit to a narrow range instead of providing the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, a reasonable range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of additional perks and benefits in addition to these when you think about your salary expectations.
These steps to prepare in your pocket is crucial to be prepared with the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident and be courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials , and also for interview preparation, you may get in touch with Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to help you with your interview preparation steps. Contact us today to receive your free quote or phone us directly to speak with one our consultants at 1300 202 475.
