Optimizing Your Interview Preparation
One of the most difficult aspects of the job search is the daunting interview process. Interview fear is a natural result of wanting to seek recognition and acceptance from other people, especially from your prospective employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be a natural thing for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked about their careers or their previous achievements. Perhaps because of modesty, or the anxiety that comes from being asked to answer personal questions Interviews have become an extremely intimidating parts of the hiring process.
This does not have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a great means for the candidate to showcase their abilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You’ve made it through the first step and your resume has made its way through ATS scanners and your name being selected for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate upon one’s profile, employment history as well as the key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a foot in the door when you convince the interviewer you’re the right candidate, it boosts your chances of passing the next phase of the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing concerns about presenting your achievements. It is important to practice to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be practiced ahead of time. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some tips that you can follow to boost your chances of aceing that interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions
Interviewers ask challenging questions, in part, to gather information and information, but also in order to help you get out of potentially contentious questions and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why are you leaving your current role?"
The answer to this question could be due to problems with management, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason but the way that you formulate your response will signal your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your responses in the most objective way can be. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses , such as answers that are based purely on feelings or emotions that are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to be prepared for are "What motivated you to apply for this job?", "Why should we choose your services?", or trick questions like "Why do we not hire you?" The key is to remain calm and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and then provide a concise explanation or a brief summary of why you responded a certain way. Add specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly, go back to your original point.
Also, if required to explain your participation in a particular project or task then you can employ an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding on selection criteria. When you use STAR you will need to write a context,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the final result.
All it is in the body language
Acting naturally in a difficult situation can be a tall order, but you can always practice professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to inquire about your concerns and observe your behavior. Are you shifting or fidgeting about nervously? Are you looking intimidating, stiff, defensive, or closed off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect your message you’re trying to convey? Do you show authenticity, openness, and genuine interest?
Take a look at your strengths and weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, make sure you read the job description again. Assuming you read the job description and utilized the roles and responsibilities outlined therein to modify and customise your resume as well as other selection documents It is crucial to review the job description to clearly present yourself to the interviewer. Be honest and upfront about your strengths and weaknesses. Being truthful about your strengths will allow interviewers to recognize your selling points as a prospective client. However, signalling your intent to improve your weaknesses will also be significant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the business. The best person to approach is the interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description, or if you have any questions that were left unanswered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are usually found in the job description or their general hiring page About section), raise these at the end of the interview, after your interviewer invites you to ask questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer are:
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the job, should I be given the chance to work alongside your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects on at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
The salary package and other benefits are generally advertised with the position (or in a variety, for those applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could ask you how much you anticipate earning. An important point to remember is to offer a range within which you would like your salary to fall rather than giving an exact or fixed number. Be sure to keep the limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a the possibility of a large margin. For example, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, an appropriate range would be anywhere in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Be mindful of other perks and benefits too and think about these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
The preparation steps you have in your pocket is crucial for ensuring you are in ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, be self-assured and be courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, you may contact Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants are able to guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us today for an free quotation or call us direct to speak with one of our consultants on 1300 648 974.
