Optimizing Your Interview Preparation
A major and difficult aspects of job hunting is the dreaded interview round. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be a natural thing for some however, many are nervous about being asked about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps because of modesty, or the discomfort that comes with being asked to answer personal questions Interviews have become among the more nerve-wracking parts that are required to hire.
This doesn’t need to be the situation.
Interviews are an important means for the candidate to show that their competencies as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You have already passed the first step by submitting your resume to the cut through ATS scanners and your name being selected for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate further on one’s profile, employment history as well as the key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a entrance into the interview and if you can convince the interviewer you’re a good fit that increases your chances of passing through the next step of the selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews even if you’re having concerns about presenting your personal achievements. Practice is key and, fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed prior to the time. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can follow to boost your chances of getting through that interview and impressing your future employers.
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions in part, to elicit information however, also because they want to help how you can get rid of potential contentious issues and worries. Consider, for instance, the question "Why have you decided to quit your current position?"
The answer to the question may be because of management concerns, or issues about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason, however, the manner in which you phrase your answer will show your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your reasoning with the greatest objectivity can be. This includes removing all emotional responses, like responses that are based solely on emotions or feelings that are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to prepare for include "What inspired you to apply for this role?", "Why should we hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions such as "Why do we not employ you?" The key is not to lose your cool and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and follow with a brief argument or explanation of the reason you reacted in a particular manner. Next, provide examples or further elaborate. After you have explained thoroughly you can go back to your previous point.
In the same way, if you’re asked to describe your involvement in a project or task, you may use the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to selection criteria. In using STAR you will need to write an Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the final result.
The body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation may be a challenge however, you can practice professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions and observe your behavior. Are you flitting or shifting about nervously? Do you seem rigid, aloof, defensive 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 communicate sincerity, authenticity and genuine enthusiasm?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to your interview, be sure to go over the job description once more. In the event that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities outlined in the description to make changes to your resume and other documents for selection It is crucial to look at the job description to clearly package yourself for the interviewer. Be open and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being realistic regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your unique selling points as a prospect. But, indicating your intention to improve your weaknesses will also be relevant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is to show genuine interest in the job and within the company. The best person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting from the job descriptions or you have questions that were left unanswered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or the general page for hiring About section) Make sure to bring them up at the end of the interview, after your interviewer asks you to pose questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer:
"How can I be the most suitable person for the task, if given the opportunity to work with you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects on in the present"
"What are the potential opportunities to advance and further education?"
Know your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are generally advertised with the job (or as part of a range when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers could want to know what salary you expect to earn. An important point to remember is to offer a range within which you’d like your salary to fall rather than giving an exact number or a set amount. Make sure to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a any wide range. For instance, if you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a sensible range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of other benefits and perks also and take these into consideration when you think about your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your bag is vital to be prepared with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for interview preparation, contact Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to assist you in your preparation phases. Contact us now for your free quotation or call us direct to speak with one of our experts on 0800 215 100.
