Mastering Interview Readiness
A major and intimidating aspects of the job search is the dreaded interview round. It is a normal consequence of seeking acceptance and approval from others and especially your potential employers. Although talking about oneself may come naturally to some people but others feel nervous about being asked about their career or past successes. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort arising from being asked questions about their personal life interviews have turned out to be one of the biggest and most stressful parts during the selection process.
This doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are the best method for applicants to prove their capabilities have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve already been through the first step and your resume has made the cut through ATS scanners, and your name getting a callback. The chance to show and further elaborate on your profile, work history, and key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a step to the front when you convince the interviewer that you have what it takes that increases your chances to be selected for the next stage of the selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing fears about speaking about your accomplishments. Training is the key to success and, fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed in advance. The key to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can use to increase your chances of aceing that interview and impressing your future employers.
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions
Interviewers pose challenging questions partially because they wish to gather information however, also because they want to help you come out of potential contentious issues and worries. For instance, consider the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"
The answer may be because of managerial issues, or worries about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason, however, the manner that you express the answer will indicate your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your responses in the most objective way is possible. This means removing any emotional responses , such as answers that are based purely on feelings or sentiments and do not have any basis in actual facts.
Other questions to consider are "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should be hiring us?", or trick questions such as "Why should us not choose you?" The key is not to lose your cool and plan your thoughts well.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Begin with your topic and follow up with a short note of the reason or reasons the reason you reacted in a particular way. After that, you can add specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve thoroughly explained then return to the previous section.
If you’re asked to describe your involvement on a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could use to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond to selection criteria. In using STAR you will need to write a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the results.
The body language
Behaving naturally in a difficult situation can be a daunting task, but you can always learn to communicate professionally. You can 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 seem uneasy, aggressive or reserved in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match the point you are trying to make? Do you communicate openness, sincerity and genuine concern?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to the interview, you should review the job description once more. Assuming that you’ve read the description and utilized the roles and responsibilities described within to customize and modify your resume and other selection documents It is imperative to think about the job description to honestly describe yourself to the interviewer. Be honest and upfront on your strength and weakness. Being open about your strengths can allow the interviewer to notice your unique selling points as a prospective client. However, showing your determination to work on your weaknesses is just as notable.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is to show genuine interest for the position and the company. The most appropriate person to ask is the interviewer. If you noticed something interesting on the resume, or if you’ve got any questions that have not been answered on their FAQ page or guide questions (which typically are found in the job application or their general hiring page About section), raise these after the interview, when your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer are:
"How do I become the most qualified person for this jobif given the opportunity to work alongside members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline right now"
"What are the possibilities for advancement and further training?"
Know your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the position (or within a set of options, if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still be interested in knowing what you expect to earn. The most important thing to do is give a range of where you’d like your pay to fall instead of offering an exact or fixed 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 sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anything in the range of $10,000. Also, be aware of other perks and benefits in addition to these when you think about your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your pocket is crucial to ensure you have the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us today to receive your complimentary quote or to call us directly to speak to one of our experts on 1300 871 072.
