Mastering Interview Readiness
A major and difficult aspects of job hunting is the fear of an interview. It is a normal result of wanting to seek acceptance and approval from others and especially your potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be a natural thing for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions regarding their professional or previous achievements. Perhaps because of modesty, or the discomfort that comes with being asked questions about their personal life Interviews have become an extremely intimidating aspects during the selection process.
It doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are an important way for the applicant to demonstrate their skills are, their achievements, and potential. You’ve already been through the first step by submitting your resume to the cut through ATS scanners, and your name getting a callback. The chance to show and elaborate upon your profile, work history, and key skills and expertise is the proverbial foot in the door and if you can convince the interviewer that you have what it takes, it boosts your chances of getting through the next phase of the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing apprehensions about talking about your achievements. It is important to practice and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some tips that you can implement to improve your chances at nailing that interview and impressing future employers:
Get comfortable around tricky questions
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions mostly because they are trying to gather information as well as since they want to help you navigate your way out of potential contentious issues and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why are you resigning from your current job?"
The answer could be due to management concerns, or issues about work-life balance. No matter the answer however, the manner that you formulate your answer will demonstrate your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your answer using as much objectivity can be. This means removing any emotional responses , such as answers that are based purely on emotions or feelings that are not supported by facts.
Other important questions to ask are "What motivated you to apply for this job?", "Why should be hiring you?", or trick questions such as "Why do you not employ you?" The key is to not lose composure 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. Next, provide instances or elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to your previous point.
If you’re required to explain your participation in a project or task it is possible to utilize the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to selection criteria. When you use STAR you will need to write a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken followed by the final result.
It’s all in body language
Being natural in a stressful situation may be a daunting task However, you can learn to communicate professionally. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to inquire about your concerns and observe your behavior. Are you fidgeting or shifting around in a tense manner? Do you appear uneasy, aggressive or reserved in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with the message you’re trying to convey? Do you show genuineness, honesty and genuine concern?
Be aware of your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, be sure to go over the job description over again. If you have read the job description and then used the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to your resume as well as other selection documents It is imperative to think about the job description to clearly package yourself for the interviewer. Be upfront and honest concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being realistic about your strengths can allow the interviewer to note your selling points as a prospect. However, showing your determination to work on your weaknesses is just as significant.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the job and within the company. The best person to approach is the interviewer. If you have noticed something intriguing from the job descriptions, or if you have any questions that were left unanswered by their FAQ page or guide questions (which are typically found within the job description or their general hiring page 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 are:
"How can I be the most suitable person for the jobif given the chance to work alongside members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline in the present"
"What are the chances for further development and training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the position (or within a set of options in the case of SEEK). However, interviewers could ask you how much you’re expecting to earn. One important tip is to provide a range in which you’d like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact or fixed number. Make sure to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a a wide margin. For example, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, a good range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Consider other perks and benefits as well and consider these when you think about your salary expectations.
These steps to prepare in your back pocket is essential to be prepared with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, be self-assured and bold.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials , and also for interviews, please get in touch with Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to assist you in your preparation stages. Contact us today to receive an no-cost quote or phone us directly for a chat with one of our consultants at 1300 735 398.
