A Guide to Interview Preparation
Perhaps the most difficult aspects of job searching is the interview stage. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking recognition and acceptance from other people and especially your potential employers. While speaking about themselves may be natural for some, others are apprehensive about being asked questions regarding their work or prior successes. Perhaps due to modesty or the fear of being asked questions that are personal to them, the interview has become an extremely stressful parts of the hiring process.
This doesn’t 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 have already been through the first step by submitting your resume to it through ATS scanners and you being shortlisted for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate upon one’s profile, employment history, and key skills and knowledge is the aforementioned foot in the door and if you can convince the interviewer you have what it takes, it boosts your chances of passing through the next step of the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews if you have concerns about presenting your accomplishments. The practice is essential and luckily, interview questions can be practiced ahead of time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some suggestions you can implement to improve your chances of aceing that interview and impressing potential employers.
Get comfortable around tricky questions
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, in part, to gain information however, also in order to help you come out of potentially contentious topics and issues. Consider for instance the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"
The reason for this may be because of management issues, or concerns with work-life balance, etc. Whatever the reason however, the manner that you express the answer will indicate your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your responses using as much objectivity possible. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses such as responses that are based solely on sentiments or feelings, and do not have any basis in evidence.
Other questions to consider are "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should we choose you?", or trick questions such as "Why do we not hire you?" The key is to stay calm and arrange your thoughts with care.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Start with your statement and follow up with a short argument or explanation of why you chose to respond in a specific manner. After that, you can add specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve thoroughly explained the topic, return to your previous point.
Also, if requested to provide a description of your participation in a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could use the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond the selection requirements. If you are using STAR you will need to write the context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the result.
It’s all in body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful environment can 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 friend you trust to inquire about your concerns and take note of your actions. Are you fidgeting or shifting around in a tense manner? Do you appear uneasy, aggressive or shut off in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with what you want to make? Do you convey genuineness, honesty, and genuine interest?
Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to your interview, ensure that you review the job description over again. Assuming you read the job description and used the roles and responsibilities listed therein to modify and customise your resume as well as other selection documents It is imperative to look at the job description in order to accurately prepare yourself for interviewers. Be honest and upfront about your strengths and weaknesses. Being open regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your strengths 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 in the job and within the business. The most appropriate person to ask is the interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting within the description of your job or you have questions that were left unanswered by their FAQ page or their guide questions (which are typically found within the job description or their general hiring page About section), raise these after the interview, after your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer:
"How do I become the most suitable person for the jobif given the opportunity to be part of the team?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway right now"
"What are the possibilities for further development and training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Salary packages and other benefits are often advertised with the position (or on a list, in the case of SEEK). However, interviewers could ask you how much you anticipate earning. The most important thing to do is provide a range in which you would like your salary to fall rather than giving an exact number or a set amount. Make sure to keep your range tight instead of giving an expansive margin. For instance, if you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any additional perks and benefits as well and consider these when you think about your salary expectations.
These steps to prepare in your back pocket is essential for ensuring you are in ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, be self-assured, and be bold.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, contact Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants can guide you through the interview preparation phases. Contact us today for a free quote or call us direct to speak to one of our experts on 1300 648 974.
