Steps to Interview Readiness
One of the most daunting aspects of job searching is the dreaded interview round. It is a normal result of wanting to seek the approval and support of others, especially from your prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may seem natural to certain people however, many are nervous about being asked about their careers or their previous achievements. Perhaps out of modesty and the fear of being asked to answer personal questions The interview process has evolved into among the more intimidating aspects during the selection process.
It doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are a crucial opportunity for applicants to prove their capabilities have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. It’s been a while since you’ve passed the first step by submitting your resume to it through ATS scanners and you getting a callback. This opportunity to present and elaborate on your profile, work history, and key skills and expertise is the proverbial entrance into the interview: if you convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate this increases your chances to be selected for the next stage of the selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews even if you’re having fears about speaking about your achievements. Practice is key to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed before the date. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some suggestions you can follow to boost your chances at nailing that interview and impressing future employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, in part, to get information from you as well as because they want to see you navigate your way out of potentially contentious topics and concerns. For instance, consider the question "Why do you want to leave your current role?"
The answer may be because of problems with management, or concerns about work-life balance. Whatever the reason but the way in which you phrase your answer will demonstrate your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your answer using as much objectivity possible. This includes removing any emotional responses , such as responses based on feelings or sentiments and are not substantiated by evidence.
Other important questions to ask include "What inspired you to apply for this job?", "Why should we hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions such as "Why should you 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. Start with your statement and follow with a brief note of the reason or reasons the reasons you responded in a certain manner. Next, provide details or go into more detail. After you have explained thoroughly then return to the previous section.
Also, if required to explain your participation on a project or task, you may use the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to criteria for selection. If you are using STAR the first thing you need to do is write the situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the result.
All it is in the body language
Acting naturally in a stressful situation may be difficult, but you can always try to practice professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask questions and observe your body language. Are you flitting or shifting about with anxiety? Are you looking uneasy, aggressive or aloof in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match your message you’re trying to make? Do you display genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?
Be aware of your strengths and weak points.
Before you go to the interview, be sure to read the job description again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to your resume and other document of selection It is essential to think about the job description to clearly present yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest on your strength and weakness. Being honest regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your unique selling points as a potential client. However, signalling your intent to work on your weaknesses will also be notable.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm for the position and the company. The most appropriate person to ask is the interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like from the job descriptions, or if you’ve got any questions not answered on their FAQ page or their guide questions (which typically are found in the job application or the general page for hiring about section), raise these after the interview, after your interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer are:
"How can I be the most qualified person for this job, should I be given the opportunity to work with members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects on currently"
"What are the chances to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the job (or within a set of options, for those applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still want to know what salary you are expecting. A good tip is to offer a range within which you’d like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact, fixed amount. Try to keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a good range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 or anything in the range of $10,000. Be mindful of additional perks and benefits as well and consider these when you think about your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital to equip yourself with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for the preparation for your interview, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants will be able to help you with your interview preparation stages. Contact us today to receive your complimentary quote or call us direct to speak to one of our experts on 1300 694 635.
