Interview Preparation Tactics
One of the most intimidating aspects of job hunting is the interview stage. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek acceptance and approval from others and especially your potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be natural for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions regarding their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked personal questions The interview process has evolved into an extremely stressful parts during the selection process.
This doesn’t have to be the case.
Interviews are the best opportunity for applicants to show that their competencies are, their achievements, and potential. You’ve already been through the first step with your resume passing its way through ATS scanners and your name being selected for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate on your profile, work history as well as key abilities and knowledge is the aforementioned foot in the door: if you convince the interviewer you’re a good fit, it boosts your chances to be selected for to the next step in the final selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews even if you’re having apprehensions about talking about your accomplishments. The practice is essential, and fortunately, interview questions can be practiced in advance. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can follow to boost your chances at nailing that interview and impressing future employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers pose challenging questions mostly because they are trying to elicit information however, also because they want to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious issues and concerns. Consider, for instance, the question "Why have you decided to quit your current role?"
The answer to the question could be due to problems with management, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason, however, the manner that you formulate your response will signal your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your responses in the most objective way possible. This includes removing emotional responses like responses that are based solely on feelings or sentiments and are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to consider include "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should us choose to hire us?", or trick questions such as "Why should be able to not choose 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 follow it up with a short reason or summary as to the reasons you responded in a certain way. Add details or go into more detail. Once you’ve thoroughly explained the topic, return to your previous point.
Also, if required to explain your participation in a project or task it is possible to utilize an approach called the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond to criteria for selection. In using STAR you will need to write a context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the results.
All it is in the body language
Being natural in a stressful situation may be a challenge However, you can try to practice professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions and take note of your actions. Are you shifting or fidgeting about nervously? Do you appear stiff, standoffish, defensive or shut off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match the message you’re trying to convey? Do you convey openness, sincerity and genuine concern?
Take a look at your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before the interview, be sure to go over the job description once more. If you have read the job description and then used the roles and responsibilities described therein to modify and customise your resume and other document of selection It is essential to review the job description in order to accurately package yourself for the interviewer. Be upfront and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being honest regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to see your selling points as a potential client. However, signalling your intent to address your weaknesses will be just as notable.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine interest for the position and the company. The most appropriate person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you have noticed something intriguing in the job description or you have concerns that weren’t answered through their FAQ or their guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or their general hiring page about section) Bring them up at the end of the interview, after your interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer include:
"How do I become the best person for the task, if given the chance to join the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on in the present"
"What are the possibilities to further develop and learn?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the position (or in a variety, if applying through SEEK). But, interviewers might be interested in knowing what you are expecting. An important point to remember is to provide a range in which you’d like your earnings to fall instead of offering an exact number or a set amount. Be sure to keep the range tight instead of giving a wide margin. For instance, if are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, an appropriate range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anything in the range of $10,000. Consider additional perks and benefits too and think about these when you are evaluating your salary expectations.
Inputting these steps into your pocket is crucial to ensure you have the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and courageous.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to help you with your interview preparation phases. Contact us now for an free quotation or contact us directly to speak with one of our consultants on 1300 291 293.
