Interview Preparation Tactics
Perhaps the most intimidating aspect of job hunts is the fear of an interview. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek acceptance and approval from others, especially from your prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked questions about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked questions about their personal life interviews have turned out to be one of the biggest and most intimidating parts in the process of hiring.
It doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are a great opportunity for applicants to showcase their abilities have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You have already made it through the first step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners and being shortlisted for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate upon one’s profile, employment history as well as the key skills and knowledge is the aforementioned entrance into the interview and if you can convince the interviewer you’re the right candidate, it boosts your chances of passing through to the next step in the final selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews even if you’re having concerns about presenting your accomplishments. Practice is key to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed in advance. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some tips that you can implement to improve your chances of nailing the interview and impressing future employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions partially because they wish to get information from you, but also, since they want to help you get out of potentially contentious issues and issues. Take for example the question "Why do you want to leave your current job?"
The reason for this could be due to management concerns, or issues about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer however, the manner the way you frame the answer will indicate your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your responses with as much objectivity as feasible. This includes removing any emotional responses such as responses based on feelings or sentiments that are not supported by evidence.
Other questions to consider include "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should we choose us?", or trick questions like "Why should be able to not choose you?" The key is to remain calm and arrange your thoughts with care.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and then follow it up with a short reason or summary as to the reason you reacted in a particular way. Next, provide instances or elaborate. After you have explained thoroughly then return to your original point.
If you’re asked to write about your involvement in a particular project or task it is possible to employ an approach called the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond the selection requirements. When you use STAR the first thing you need to do is write an context,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken then the Result.
All it is in the body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful environment can be a challenge, but you can always try to practice professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions of you and note your mannerisms. Are you shifting or fidgeting about nervously? Do you look uneasy, aggressive or reserved in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the message you’re trying to convey? Do you show genuineness, honesty and genuine concern?
Take a look at your strengths and weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, ensure that you review the job description over again. In the event that you’ve read the description and then used the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume and other documents for selection It is essential to review the job description and how you will present yourself to the interviewer. Be candid and open regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being truthful about your strengths can allow the interviewer to see your selling points as a prospective client. However, signalling your intent to address your weaknesses will also be important.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm about the job and the business. The best person to inquire questions is your interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description or you have questions not answered on their FAQ page or their guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or the general page for hiring about section) Make sure to bring them up at the end of the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer
"How do I become the most qualified person for this task, if given the opportunity to join members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline currently"
"What are the possibilities to further develop and learn?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are often advertised with the position (or on a list, when applying via SEEK). But, interviewers might ask you how much you are expecting. One important tip is to provide a range in which you’d like your pay to be, rather than providing an exact or set number. Try to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing any wide range. For example, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a sensible range would be anywhere in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anything in the range of $10,000. Be mindful of additional perks and benefits too and think about these when you consider your salary expectations.
These steps to prepare in your pocket is crucial to ensure you have the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured, and be bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials and for interviews, please reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us now for your free quotation or call us direct to speak to one of our experts on 1300 202 475.