Interview Preparation Tactics
One of the most difficult aspects of job searching is the interview stage. It is a normal result of wanting to seek acceptance and approval from others particularly from prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked questions about their career or past achievements. Perhaps because of modesty, or the fear of being asked questions about their personal life interviews have turned out to be one of the biggest and most stressful parts that are required to hire.
This does not have to be the case.
Interviews are a great opportunity for applicants to show that their competencies, achievements, and potentials. You have already been through the first step by submitting your resume to an appearance on ATS scanners and your name being shortlisted for an interview. This opportunity to present and further elaborate on one’s profile, employment history as well as key abilities and expertise is the proverbial entrance into the interview: if you convince the interviewer you have what it takes that increases your chances to be selected for the next step of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews if you have doubts about speaking about your achievements. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be practiced prior to the time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can implement to improve your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your future employers.
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partially because they wish to elicit information and information, but also because they want to see you come out of potentially contentious topics and worries. Take for example the question "Why have you decided to quit your current role?"
The answer to the question could be due to management issues, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason but the way that you formulate your answer will demonstrate your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your response using as much objectivity possible. This means that you should eliminate all emotional responses, like answers based on sentiments or feelings, that are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to prepare for include "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should we choose you?", or trick questions like "Why should we not take you on?" The key is not to lose your cool 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 reason or summary as to why you chose to respond in a specific way. Then, add details or go into more detail. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly, go back to your previous point.
If you’re requested to provide a description of your participation on a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could apply to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond to criteria for selection. When using STAR it is necessary to describe an scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the result.
It’s all in the body language
Acting naturally in a stressful environment can be a challenge However, you can learn to communicate professionally. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask you questions and take note of your actions. Are you shifting or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Are you looking rigid, aloof, defensive or reserved in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect your message you’re trying to convey? Do you convey genuineness, honesty and genuine enthusiasm?
Take a look at your strengths and weaknesses.
Prior to the interview, ensure that you read the description of the position. In the event that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and responsibilities listed therein to modify and customise your resume and other selection documents It is crucial to think about the job description and how you will describe yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Being open about your strengths can allow the interviewer to see your strengths as a potential client. However, showing your determination to work on your weak points will be equally notable.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest for the position and the business. The best person to inquire for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you have noticed something intriguing from the job descriptions, or if you have questions not answered by their FAQ page or guide questions (which are typically found within the job description or their general hiring page about section), raise these during the interview, when your interviewer invites you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer are:
"How do I become the most qualified person for this task, if given the chance to be part of members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline right now"
"What are the opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
The salary package and other benefits are usually advertised alongside the job (or within a set of options, if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could be interested in knowing what you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to include a range that you would like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact or fixed number. Make sure to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, a sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any other benefits and perks in addition to these when you are evaluating your salary expectations.
The preparation steps you have in your back pocket is essential to equip yourself with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and credentials and for interview preparation, you may get in touch with Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to help you through your preparatory steps. Contact us today to receive your no-cost quote or phone us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 291 293.
