Prepping Effectively for Interviews
A major and daunting aspects of job hunting is the dreaded interview round. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking the approval and support of others and especially your potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may come naturally to some people however, many are nervous about being asked about their professional or previous successes. Perhaps because of modesty, or the discomfort arising from being asked personal questions, the interview has become one of the biggest and most stressful parts in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a crucial means for the candidate to prove their capabilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You’ve already made it through the first step with your resume passing the cut through ATS scanners, and your name being considered for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and further elaborate on your profile, work history as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial foot in the door and if you can convince the interviewer you’re the right candidate, it boosts your chances of passing through the next step of the final selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing concerns about presenting your accomplishments. Practice is key, and fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed prior to the time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can apply to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your potential employers.
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, mostly because they are trying to elicit information as well as because they want to help you get out of potentially contentious issues and issues. Consider for instance the question "Why do you want to leave your current job?"
The answer to the question could be due to problems with management, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer however, the manner in which you phrase your answer will show your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your answer in the most objective way possible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses such as responses based on feelings or emotions and are not supported by actual facts.
Other important questions to ask are "What made you apply for this position?", "Why should we choose you?", or trick questions like "Why should us not choose you?" The key is not to lose your cool and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Start with your statement and follow up with a short reason or summary as to why you chose to respond in a specific way. After that, you can add specific examples or provide more details. After you have explained thoroughly then return to your original point.
Similarly, if you are requested to provide a description of your participation in a project or task then you can use this method. STAR Method, which is typically used to respond to criteria for selection. In using STAR it is necessary to describe the Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken as well as the results.
It’s all in body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful situation could be a challenge However, you can practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or have a trusted companion to ask questions of you and observe your body language. Are you shifting or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you appear intimidating, stiff, defensive or reserved in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match what you want to convey? Do you communicate sincerity, authenticity and genuine enthusiasm?
Take a look at your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to the interview, ensure that you review the job description again. Assuming you read the job description and utilized the roles and responsibilities listed therein to modify and customise your resume and other selection documents It is imperative to review the job description in order to accurately package yourself for the interviewer. Be candid and open concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being honest regarding your strengths will allow interviewers to recognize your unique selling points as a potential client. However, signalling your intent to work on your weaknesses will be just as significant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine interest for the position and the company. The most appropriate person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description, or if you have any concerns that weren’t answered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which typically are found in the job description or the general page for hiring about section) You can raise them at the end of the interview, when your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer include:
"How can I be the best person for the jobif given the opportunity to work with you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway right now"
"What are the possibilities for further development and training?"
Know your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are often advertised with the job (or within a set of options, when applying via SEEK). But, interviewers might want to know what salary you’re expecting to earn. One important tip is to give a range of where you’d like your pay to fall instead of offering an exact or fixed number. Try to keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a any wide range. For instance, if expect to make $75,000 a year, a sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Consider additional perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you think about your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your pocket is crucial to equip yourself with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials and for interviews, please contact Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants are able to guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us today for the complimentary quote or to call us directly to speak with one our experts on 1300 694 635.
