A Guide to Interview Preparation
A major and daunting aspects of job hunting is the fear of an interview. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek acceptance and approval from others particularly from prospective employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might seem natural to certain people however, many are nervous about being asked questions regarding their careers or their previous successes. Perhaps out of modesty and the anxiety that comes from being asked questions that are personal to them Interviews have become one of the most intimidating parts in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are the best way for the applicant to showcase their abilities, achievements, and potentials. You’ve already completed the initial step, with your resume making an appearance on ATS scanners and you being selected for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate on the profile of your employer, background, and key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a entrance into the interview: if you convince the interviewer that you have what it takes this increases your chances of passing through to the next step in the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with doubts about speaking about your accomplishments. It is important to practice and luckily, interview questions can be practiced ahead of time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can implement to improve your chances at nailing that interview and impressing potential employers.
Be comfortable with difficult questions
Interviewers pose challenging questions partly because they want to get information from you and information, but also since they want to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious questions and concerns. Consider, for instance, the question "Why do you want to leave your current position?"
The answer could be due to management concerns, or issues about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason but the way the way you frame your answer will show your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your answer with as much objectivity as feasible. This means removing any emotional responses , such as responses that are based solely on sentiments or feelings, and are not substantiated by actual facts.
Other important questions to ask include "What made you apply for this position?", "Why should we choose your services?", or trick questions like "Why should be able to not choose you?" The key is to remain calm 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 reason or summary as to the reasons you responded in a certain manner. Next, provide details or go into more detail. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly, go back to your original point.
If you’re asked to write about your involvement on a project or task, you may use this method. STAR Method, which is typically used to respond on selection criteria. If you are using STAR you will need to write a scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the final result.
It’s all in the body language
Acting naturally in a difficult situation can be a challenge However, you can learn to communicate professionally. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask you questions and observe your body language. Are you moving or fidgeting about with anxiety? Do you seem uneasy, aggressive or reserved in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with your message you’re trying to make? Do you display openness, sincerity and genuine interest?
Take a look at your strengths and weak points.
Prior to your interview, be sure to review the job description over again. Assuming you read the job description and then used the roles and duties listed in the description to make changes to your resume and other documents for selection, it is important to consider the job description to clearly prepare yourself for interviewers. Be open and honest on your strength and weakness. Being truthful about your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your unique selling points as a prospect. However, announcing your intention to improve your weaknesses will be just as important.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine enthusiasm about the job and the business. The best person to ask for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting on the resume, or if you’ve got any concerns that weren’t answered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or their general hiring page about section) Bring them up during the interview, after your interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer:
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the task, if given the chance to work alongside your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway in the present"
"What are the opportunities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the position (or on a list, for those applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still ask you how much you are expecting. One important tip is to offer a range within which you’d like your pay to be, rather than providing an exact, fixed amount. Try to keep your range tight instead of giving the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if you expect to make $75,000 a year, an appropriate choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anything in the range of $10,000. Be aware of any other benefits and perks in addition to these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your purse is important to equip yourself with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and be courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and credentials and for interviews, please get in touch with Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants are able to guide you through the interview preparation steps. Contact us today to receive a complimentary quote or call us direct to speak with one our consultants at 1300 291 288.
