Ace Your Interviews: Preparation Guide
One of the most difficult aspect of job hunts is the daunting interview process. The fear of an interview is a natural consequence of seeking acceptance and approval from others and especially your potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked questions about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked personal questions The interview process has evolved into one of the biggest and most stressful parts in the process of hiring.
This does not have to be the case.
Interviews are a crucial method for applicants to show that their competencies as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You have already passed the first step, with your resume making it through ATS scanners and your name getting a callback. This opportunity to present and elaborate upon one’s profile, employment history, and key skills and expertise is the proverbial way to get noticed If you can convince the interviewer that you have what it takes that increases your chances to be selected for the next phase of the selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews if you have concerns about presenting your own achievements. Training is the key to success and, fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed in advance. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can follow to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions in part, to elicit information and information, but also in order to help you navigate your way out of potentially contentious questions and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why do you want to leave your current job?"
The answer to this question may be because of management issues, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer however, the manner that you formulate the answer will indicate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your response with as much objectivity as can be. This means eliminating emotional responses like responses that are based solely on emotions or feelings and are not substantiated by facts.
Other questions to be prepared for include "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should we hire us?", or trick questions such as "Why should be able to not hire you?" The key is to not lose composure 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 note of the reason or reasons why you responded a certain way. Add examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly you can go back to your original point.
Similarly, if you are required to explain your participation on a project or task, you may use to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond to selection criteria. When you use STAR, you must state the Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the Result.
The body language
Behaving naturally in a difficult situation 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 take note of your actions. Are you flitting or shifting around with a nervousness? Do you seem stiff, standoffish, defensive or shut off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the point you are trying to make? Do you communicate openness, sincerity and genuine interest?
Take a look at your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, ensure that you review the job description over again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and duties listed therein to modify and customise your resume and other selection documents It is essential to think about the job description and how you will prepare yourself for interviewers. Be upfront and honest on your strength and weakness. Being truthful about your strengths will allow the interviewer to see your strengths as a potential client. However, announcing your intention to address your weaknesses will be just as important.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest in the role and in the business. The most appropriate person to ask is the interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like on the resume, or if you’ve got any questions not answered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are usually found in the job application or the general page for hiring About section), raise these at the conclusion of the interview, after your interviewer invites you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer include:
"How do I become the most qualified person for this job, if I am given the chance to be part of the team?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline at the moment"
"What are the possibilities to further develop and learn?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are generally advertised with the position (or in a variety in the case of SEEK). However, the interviewer may want to know what salary you are expecting. The most important thing to do is give a range of where you’d like your pay to fall instead of offering an exact number or a set amount. Try to keep your range tight instead of giving the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a sensible range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Consider additional perks and benefits too and think about these when you evaluate your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital to equip yourself with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident, and be bold.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, contact Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants can guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us today for an no-cost quote or call us direct to speak with one of our consultants at 1300 993 659.
