Steps to Interview Readiness
The most daunting aspects of the job search is the dreaded interview round. It is a normal result of wanting to seek acceptance and approval from others, especially from your prospective employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might seem natural to certain people however, many are nervous about being asked about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps because of modesty, or the discomfort that comes with being asked to answer personal questions, the interview has become among the more intimidating parts that are required to hire.
This doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are the best method for applicants to prove their capabilities, achievements, and potentials. You have already completed the initial step, with your resume making its way through ATS scanners and being shortlisted for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate further on your profile, work history, and key skills and abilities is the proverbial way to get noticed: if you convince the interviewer that you’re qualified you increase your odds of passing through the next stage of the selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews in case you’re experiencing concerns about presenting your personal achievements. Training is the key to success and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed prior to the time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can follow to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your future employers.
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions in part, to gather information, but also, in order to help you come out of potentially contentious topics and concerns. Consider for instance the question "Why do you want to leave your current position?"
The answer may be because of problems with management, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer, however, the manner that you express your response will signal your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your reasoning in the most objective way feasible. This means removing any emotional responses such as responses based on feelings or sentiments and do not have any basis in facts.
Other important questions to ask include "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should us choose to hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions such as "Why should us not take you on?" 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. Introduce your idea and then follow it up with a short reason or summary as to why you chose to respond in a specific way. Then, add examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained the topic, return to the point you made earlier.
In the same way, if you’re required to explain your participation in a particular project or task it is possible to employ to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond the selection requirements. In using STAR the first thing you need to do is write the situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken as well as the results.
The body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful situation could be difficult however, you can make sure you are practicing professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask you questions and note your mannerisms. Are you shifting or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you seem uneasy, aggressive, or closed off in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with the point you are trying to convey? Do you display authenticity, openness and genuine concern?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
Before the interview, ensure that you read the job description once more. In the event that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and responsibilities described within to customize and modify your resume and other selection documents It is crucial to consider the job description and how you will package yourself for the interviewer. Be honest and upfront on your strength and weakness. Being realistic about your strengths will enable the interviewer to note your strengths as a potential customer. But, indicating your intention to work on your weaknesses will be just as notable.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is to show genuine interest for the position and the company. The best person to inquire for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you noticed something interesting in the job description, or if you’ve got any questions that have not been answered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which can be found in the job application or their general hiring page About section) You can raise them at the end of the interview, when your interviewer asks you to pose questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer include:
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the job, if I am offered the chance to be part of your team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the chances to further develop and learn?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Other benefits and packages for salary are typically advertised along with the position (or on a list, when applying via SEEK). But, interviewers might inquire about the amount you expect to earn. An important point to remember is to give a range of where you’d like your earnings to be, rather than providing an exact number or a set amount. Keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a any wide range. For instance, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, a reasonable range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of other perks and benefits as well and consider these when you are evaluating your salary expectations.
These steps to prepare in your bag is vital to ensure you have the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and bold.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials and for interviews, please reach out to Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants can guide you through the interview preparation phases. Contact us now for a no-cost quote or contact us directly to speak with one of our experts on 1300 202 475.
