Ready Yourself for Interviews
The most intimidating aspects of job searching is the daunting interview process. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may seem natural to certain people, others are apprehensive about being asked about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps because of modesty, or the discomfort that comes with being asked personal questions Interviews have become among the more intimidating aspects of the hiring process.
This doesn’t need to be the situation.
Interviews are a crucial way for the applicant to showcase their abilities are, their achievements, and potential. You’ve already been through the first step by submitting your resume to an appearance on ATS scanners and you being shortlisted for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate upon one’s profile, employment history as well as key abilities and experience is the equivalent of getting a entrance into the interview If you can convince the interviewer you’re qualified this increases your chances of getting through the next phase of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews even if you’re having doubts about speaking about your achievements. Training is the key to success to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be practiced ahead of time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can apply to boost your chances of aceing that interview and impressing your potential employers.
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions partly because they want to get information from you however, also in order to help you come out of potentially contentious issues and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why have you decided to quit your current role?"
The answer to the question may be because of problems with management, or concerns about work-life balance. No matter the answer however, the manner that you express your response will signal your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your responses with as much objectivity as can be. This means eliminating all emotional responses, like responses that are based solely on sentiments or feelings, and are not supported by factual evidence.
Other questions to be prepared for are "What made you apply for this position?", "Why should be hiring us?", or trick questions like "Why should be able to not hire you?" 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. Begin with your topic and then follow it up with a short reason or summary as to why you responded a certain manner. After that, you can add instances or elaborate. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly the topic, return to the previous section.
Also, if requested to provide a description of your participation in a task or project then you can apply the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond on selection criteria. In using STAR it is necessary to describe a scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the Result.
It’s all in body language
Being natural in a stressful situation may be a daunting task but it is possible to try to practice professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or have a trusted companion to ask questions and note your mannerisms. Are you shifting or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you seem rigid, aloof, defensive or shut off in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the point you are trying to convey? Do you show authenticity, openness and genuine concern?
Be aware of your strengths and weak points.
Before you go to the interview, be sure to go over the job description over again. If you have read the job description and applied the roles and responsibilities outlined in it to alter and personalize your resume as well as other selection documents It is crucial to review the job description in order to accurately present yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being honest about your strengths can allow the interviewer to note your selling points as a prospect. But, indicating your intention to work on your weak points will be equally important.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm for the position and the business. The best person to inquire for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you noticed something interesting from the job descriptions or you have questions not answered through their FAQ or the guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or their general hiring page about section) Bring them up after the interview, when your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer include:
"How do I become the most qualified person for this jobif given the opportunity to work with you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline at the moment"
"What are the chances for further development and training?"
Know your salary expectations
Other benefits and packages for salary are often advertised with the position (or on a list in the case of SEEK). However, interviewers may still be interested in knowing what you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to give a range of where you’d like your pay to be, rather than providing an exact or set number. Keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a the possibility of a large margin. For example, if you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a reasonable range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Consider other perks and benefits in addition to these when you think about your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your purse is important to be prepared with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, be self-assured and be courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials and for the preparation for your interview, contact Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants can help you through your preparatory stages. Contact us today for your complimentary quote or to call us directly to speak with one of our consultants on 1300 312 711.
