Optimizing Your Interview Preparation
One of the most difficult aspect of job hunts is the daunting interview process. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking recognition and acceptance from other people, especially from your prospective employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be natural for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions about their professional or previous achievements. Perhaps because of modesty, or the discomfort that comes with being asked questions that are personal to them interviews have turned out to be an extremely stressful parts during the selection process.
It doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are an important opportunity for applicants to show that their competencies have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve completed the initial step, with your resume making it through ATS scanners and getting a callback. This chance to present and elaborate upon your resume, experience and the most important skills and expertise is the proverbial way to get noticed: if you convince the interviewer you’re qualified you increase your odds to be selected for the next step of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing doubts about speaking about your own achievements. It is important to practice and luckily, interview questions can be practiced prior to the time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation, and here are some helpful tips you can use to increase your chances of aceing that interview and impressing your potential employers.
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions in part, to gather information however, also in order to help you come out of potentially contentious questions and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why have you decided to quit your current position?"
The answer to this question may be because of managerial issues, or worries about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer but the way in which you phrase the answer will indicate your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your response in the most objective way is possible. This means eliminating any emotional responses such as answers based on feelings or sentiments and are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to prepare for include "What made you apply for this job?", "Why should we choose you?", or trick questions like "Why do be able to not choose you?" The key is to stay calm and organise your thoughts carefully.
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 note of the reason or reasons the reasons you responded in a certain manner. Add specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to your previous point.
Also, if required to explain your participation in a particular project or task then you can utilize the STAR Method, which is often used when responding on selection criteria. When you use STAR the first thing you need to do is write an context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the final result.
All it is in the body language
Behaving naturally in a difficult situation can be difficult, but you can always practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions and take note of your actions. Are you shifting or fidgeting around with a nervousness? Are you looking stiff, standoffish, defensive or shut off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with what you want to make? Do you show authenticity, openness and genuine concern?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
Before the interview, ensure that you read the job description once more. Assuming you read the job description and utilized the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume as well as other selection documents It is imperative to think about the job description in order to accurately describe yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being open about your strengths will enable the interviewer to see your strengths as a potential customer. However, signalling your intent to work on your weaknesses is just as notable.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine enthusiasm about the job and the company. The best person to ask for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting within the description of your job, or you have questions not answered through their FAQ or guide questions (which can be found in the job application or their general hiring page about section) Bring them up at the end of the interview, after your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer include:
"How can I be the most qualified person for this jobif given the chance to work alongside the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are often advertised with the job (or in a variety, in the case of SEEK). However, interviewers may still be interested in knowing what you are expecting. A good tip is to provide a range in which you’d like your earnings to fall rather than giving an exact number or a set amount. Keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a an expansive margin. For instance, if are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a sensible range is anywhere between the $73,000-$80,000 range or anything in the range of $10,000. Be mindful of other perks and benefits too and think about these when you consider your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital for ensuring you are in ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, self-assured and bold.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials , and also for interview preparation, you may reach out to Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants can help you with your interview preparation stages. Contact us today to receive a complimentary quote or phone us directly to speak with one our consultants on 1300 202 475.
