Steps to Interview Readiness
Perhaps the most intimidating aspects of job hunting is the dreaded interview round. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking recognition and acceptance from other people, especially from your prospective employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be a natural thing for some, others are apprehensive about being asked questions regarding their career or past achievements. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the anxiety that comes from being asked personal questions, the interview has become one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the hiring process.
This does not have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a crucial method for applicants to showcase their abilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You have already passed 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 further on your profile, work history as well as key abilities and abilities is the proverbial foot in the door when you convince the interviewer you’re a good fit you increase your odds of passing the next phase of the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews even if you’re having apprehensions about talking about your accomplishments. It is important to practice and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed in advance. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some helpful tips you can use to increase your chances at nailing that interview and impressing future employers.
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions
Interviewers ask challenging questions, in part, to gather information however, also because they want to help you get out of potentially contentious issues and worries. Take for example the question "Why are you resigning from your current position?"
The answer to the question could be due to managerial issues, or worries regarding work-life balance, for instance. No matter the answer however, the manner that you express your response will signal your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your answer with as much objectivity as can be. This includes removing all emotional responses, like answers based on feelings or emotions and are not supported by facts.
Other questions to be prepared for include "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should we choose your services?", or trick questions such as "Why should you not employ you?" The key is to stay calm and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and follow with a brief reason or summary as to why you chose to respond in a specific manner. Add instances or elaborate. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly, go back to the point you made earlier.
Also, if asked to describe your involvement in a particular project or task then you can apply the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding to criteria for selection. In using STAR you will need to write the context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the result.
The body language
Acting naturally in a stressful situation may be a daunting task However, you can make sure you are practicing professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions and observe your behavior. Are you moving or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you appear rigid, aloof, defensive or reserved in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match the message you’re trying to make? Do you show authenticity, openness and genuine concern?
Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.
Before the interview, make sure you review the job description once more. In the event that you’ve read the description and utilized the roles and responsibilities listed in the description to make changes to your resume and other document of selection It is imperative to review the job description and how you will prepare yourself for interviewers. Be open and honest on your strength and weakness. Being open regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your selling points as a prospect. But, indicating your intention to improve your weaknesses is just as notable.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is to show genuine interest in the job and within the business. The best person to inquire questions is your interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like in the job description or if you have any questions that have not been answered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are usually found in the job description or the general page for hiring About section) You can raise them during the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer:
"How do I become the most suitable person for the jobif given the chance to work alongside the team?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline currently"
"What are the chances to further develop and learn?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are usually advertised alongside the position (or within a set of options, in the case of SEEK). But, interviewers might be interested in knowing what you anticipate earning. A good tip is to include a range that you would like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact or set number. Make sure to keep your range tight instead of giving an expansive margin. For example, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a good choice would be anything from the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Also, be aware of other benefits and perks also and take these into consideration when you are evaluating your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your pocket is crucial to ensure you have the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, feel confident and bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials and for the preparation for your interview, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to help you with your interview preparation stages. Contact us today to receive an free quotation or phone us directly for a chat with one of our consultants on 1300 648 974.
