A Guide to Interview Preparation
A major and daunting aspects of job searching is the interview stage. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting to seek the approval and support of 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 about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps due to modesty or the fear of being asked personal questions, the interview has become among the more nerve-wracking parts that are required to hire.
It doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are a crucial opportunity for applicants to show that their competencies are, their achievements, and potential. You’ve been through the first step with your resume passing it through ATS scanners, and your name getting a callback. The chance to show and elaborate upon one’s profile, employment history as well as key abilities and experience is the equivalent of getting a foot in the door when you convince the interviewer that you’re a good fit you increase your odds of passing the next phase of the selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with apprehensions about talking about your own achievements. Practice is key and, fortunately, interview questions can be practiced before the date. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can implement to improve your chances of getting through that interview and impressing your potential employers.
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions in part, to gain information, but also, in order to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious issues and concerns. For instance, consider the question "Why have you decided to quit your current role?"
The reason for this could be due to management concerns, or issues with work-life balance, etc. Whatever the reason however, the manner the way you frame your answer will demonstrate your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your answer with the greatest objectivity feasible. This means eliminating any emotional responses , such as responses that are based solely on sentiments or feelings, that are not supported by actual facts.
Other important questions to ask are "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should we choose you?", or trick questions like "Why do us not choose you?" The key is to remain calm and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and then provide a concise note of the reason or reasons why you chose to respond in a specific way. Add details or go into more detail. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly you can go back to the previous section.
If you’re requested to provide a description of your participation in a project or task it is possible to employ an approach called the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond on selection criteria. When using STAR it is necessary to describe a Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken followed by the results.
It’s all in body language
Being natural in a difficult situation can be difficult However, you can practice professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions of you and take note of your actions. Are you fidgeting or shifting about nervously? Do you appear stiff, standoffish, defensive or aloof in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect the point you are trying to make? Do you convey genuineness, honesty and genuine concern?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to the interview, be sure to read the job description over again. Assuming you read the job description and used the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to your resume and other document of selection It is imperative to review the job description in order to accurately present yourself to the interviewer. Be honest and upfront about your strengths and weaknesses. Being open regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to notice your strengths as a potential customer. However, showing your determination to address your weak points will be equally notable.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the job and within the business. The best person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting from the job descriptions, or you have questions that were left unanswered by their FAQ page or their guide questions (which can be found in the job application or their general hiring page about section) Bring them up during the interview, when your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer are:
"How can I be the best person for the task, if given the opportunity to be part of the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the possibilities for further development and training?"
Know your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are often advertised with the position (or on a list, in the case of SEEK). However, interviewers could inquire about the amount you’re expecting to earn. One important tip is to provide a range in which you’d like your pay to fall rather than giving an exact or set number. Make sure to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a a wide margin. If, for instance, you expect to make $75,000 a year, an appropriate range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any other benefits and perks too and think about these when you consider your salary expectations.
Inputting these steps into your purse is important to ensure you have the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured, and be bold.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials and for interview preparation, contact Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants can help you with your interview preparation steps. Contact us today to receive a free quote or phone us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 591 447.
