Ready Yourself for Interviews
One of the most difficult aspects of job hunting is the interview stage. The fear of an interview is a natural consequence of seeking the approval and support of others, especially from your prospective employers. While speaking about themselves may be natural for some however, many are nervous about being asked about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort that comes with being asked personal questions Interviews have become one of the biggest and most nerve-wracking parts of the hiring process.
This doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a great way for the applicant to demonstrate their skills have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve already made it through the first step, with your resume making an appearance on ATS scanners and you being selected for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate on your resume, experience as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial entrance into the interview and if you can convince the interviewer that you have what it takes you increase your odds of passing the next step of the final selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with fears about speaking about your accomplishments. Practice is key to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be practiced prior to the time. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some helpful tips you can use to increase your chances at nailing that interview and impressing your potential employers.
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, in part, to get information from you as well as because they want to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious topics and concerns. Consider, for instance, the question "Why are you resigning from your current job?"
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, however, the manner that you express the answer will indicate your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Respond honestly and explain your response with as much objectivity as possible. This means eliminating any emotional responses such as responses based on emotions or feelings and are not supported by factual evidence.
Other questions to consider are "What made you apply for this position?", "Why should we hire us?", or trick questions like "Why do you not employ you?" The key is not to lose your cool and plan your thoughts well.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Start with your statement and then follow it up with a short note of the reason or reasons why you chose to respond in a specific way. Add examples or further elaborate. After you have explained thoroughly you can go back to your previous point.
Similarly, if you are asked to write about your involvement in a particular project or task, you may apply the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to selection criteria. When using STAR you will need to write a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken followed by the Result.
It’s all in body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful situation may be a challenge, but you can always make sure you are practicing 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 moving or fidgeting about with anxiety? Do you seem stiff, standoffish, defensive or shut off in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with your message you’re trying to make? Do you show genuineness, honesty and genuine concern?
Be aware of your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before the interview, make sure you review the job description again. If you have read the job description and applied the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to your resume and other selection documents, it is important to consider the job description and how you will present yourself to the interviewer. Be open and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being realistic about your strengths can allow interviewers to recognize your unique selling points as a prospective client. However, announcing your intention to work on your weaknesses will be just as important.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest about the job and the business. The best person to approach questions is your interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like on the resume or if you have any questions not answered on their FAQ page or their guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or in the general page for hiring About section) Make sure to bring them up after the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer:
"How can I be the best person for the task, if given the opportunity to work with you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline at the moment"
"What are the opportunities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Other benefits and packages for salary are generally advertised with the position (or on a list, when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers may still inquire about the amount you are expecting. The most important thing to do is provide a range in which you’d like your earnings to fall rather than giving an exact number or a set amount. Be sure to keep the limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a a wide margin. If, for instance, you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a reasonable range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any other perks and benefits as well and consider these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
Inputting these steps into your back pocket is essential to be prepared with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, confident, and confident, and be bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents or credentials as well as interviews, please reach out to Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants can help you with your interview preparation stages. Contact us today to receive a free quote or contact us directly to speak with one of our experts on 1300 202 475.
