Steps to Interview Readiness
One of the most intimidating aspect of job hunts is the fear of an interview. Interview fear is a natural result of wanting the approval and support of others particularly from prospective employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be natural for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions about their career or past successes. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the fear of being asked personal questions Interviews have become an extremely intimidating aspects during the selection process.
This doesn’t need to be the case.
Interviews are a great opportunity for applicants to showcase their abilities are, their achievements, and potential. You have already been through the first step and your resume has made it through ATS scanners and getting a callback. The chance to show and further elaborate on your profile, work history and the most important skills and expertise is the proverbial way to get noticed and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified this increases your chances of passing the next phase of the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews if you have fears about speaking about your accomplishments. Training is the key to success and, fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can apply to boost your chances of getting through that interview and impressing prospective employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions partially because they wish to gain information as well as since they want to help how you can get rid of potential contentious issues and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why do you want to leave your current role?"
The answer to the question could be due to management concerns, or issues regarding work-life balance, for instance. No matter the answer, however, the manner that you express your response will signal your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your answer using as much objectivity feasible. This means that you should eliminate emotional responses like responses that are based solely on feelings or emotions that are not supported by factual evidence.
Other important questions to ask include "What motivated you to apply for this job?", "Why should we choose us?", or trick questions like "Why should us not choose you?" The key is to not lose composure 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 follow it up with a short reason or summary as to the reason you reacted in a particular manner. Next, provide instances or elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to the previous section.
Similarly, if you are requested to provide a description of your participation in a particular project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could apply to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond on selection criteria. In using STAR you will need to write an scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken as well as the results.
It’s all in body language
Being natural in a stressful environment can be a challenge however, you can learn to communicate professionally. You can sit in front of a mirror or have a trusted companion to inquire about your concerns and note your mannerisms. Are you shifting or fidgeting about with anxiety? Are you looking intimidating, stiff, defensive or shut off in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect what you want to make? Do you convey openness, sincerity and genuine concern?
Be aware of your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, make sure you go over the description of the position. Assuming that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities listed therein to modify and customise your resume and other documents for selection, it is important to consider the job description to honestly package yourself for the interviewer. Be open and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being realistic about your strengths will allow the interviewer to see your strengths as a prospective client. However, announcing your intention to address your weak points will be equally significant.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest about the job and the business. The best person to ask is the interviewer. If you noticed something interesting on the resume or if you have any questions that have not been answered by their FAQ page or guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or in the general page for hiring About section), raise these during the interview, after your interviewer asks you to pose questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer are:
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the task, if given the chance to be part of the team?"
"Does the company have any major projects on in the present"
"What are the possibilities to advance and further education?"
Know your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are generally advertised with the job (or in a variety if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still ask you how much you expect to earn. An important point to remember is to include a range that you would like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact, fixed amount. Try to keep your range tight instead of giving the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a sensible range would be anywhere in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Be aware of any other benefits and perks in addition to these when you consider your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital for ensuring you are in readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, you may reach out to Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants will be able to help you through your preparatory phases. Contact us today to receive the free quote or phone us directly to speak with one our consultants on 1300 871 072.
