Interview Preparation Tactics
The most daunting aspect of job hunts is the fear of an interview. It is a normal result of wanting recognition and acceptance from other people in particular from potential employers. Although talking about oneself may be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked about their career or past successes. Perhaps because of modesty, or the discomfort arising from being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become an extremely intimidating aspects in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are the best means for the candidate to prove their capabilities, achievements, and potentials. It’s been a while since you’ve been through the first step and your resume has made it through ATS scanners and your name being shortlisted for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate further on your profile, work history, and key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a way to get noticed and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified that increases your chances of getting through the next stage of the final selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews even if you’re having apprehensions about talking about your achievements. Training is the key to success and luckily, interview questions can be practiced before the date. The secret to successful interviews is preparation, and here are some tips that you can use to increase your chances of getting through that interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, in part, to elicit information, but also, in order to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious topics and issues. Take for example the question "Why are you leaving your current role?"
The reason for this could be due to management issues, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer however, the manner the way you frame your response will signal your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your answer in the most objective way possible. This means removing any emotional responses such as responses based on emotions or feelings and are not supported by evidence.
Other questions to be prepared for include "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should be hiring the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions such as "Why should us not employ you?" The key is to not lose composure and plan your thoughts well.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and then provide a concise reason or summary as to why you responded a certain manner. Then, add instances or elaborate. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly the topic, return to your original point.
If you’re required to explain your participation on a project or task it is possible to employ an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to criteria for selection. When using STAR it is necessary to describe a Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken followed by the final result.
It’s all in body language
Being natural in a stressful situation could be a challenge however, you can learn to communicate professionally. Place yourself in front of a mirror or have a trusted companion to ask questions of you and observe your behavior. Are you flitting or shifting around with a nervousness? Are you looking stiff, standoffish, defensive, or closed off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with your message you’re trying to convey? Do you show openness, sincerity and genuine interest?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, be sure to review the job description over again. In the event that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to your resume and other document of selection, it is important to consider the job description to honestly present yourself to the interviewer. Be open and honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Being truthful about your strengths will allow the interviewer to notice your strengths as a potential customer. However, announcing your intention to work on your weaknesses is just as significant.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine interest for the position and the company. The most appropriate person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description, or if you have concerns that weren’t answered through their FAQ or guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or in their general hiring page about section) You can raise them at the conclusion of the interview, after your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer are:
"How do I become the best person for the job, if I am given the opportunity to work with your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects on right now"
"What are the potential opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are generally advertised with the position (or as part of a range for those applying through SEEK). But, interviewers might ask you how much you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to give a range of where you’d like your pay to be, rather than providing an exact, fixed amount. 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 good range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anything in the range of $10,000. Consider other benefits and perks as well and consider these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your pocket is crucial to be prepared with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, feel confident and bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials and for interview preparation, you may contact Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants will be able to assist you in your preparation stages. Contact us today to receive your free quotation or call us direct for a chat with one of our consultants at 1300 202 475.
