Prepping Effectively for Interviews
One of the most daunting aspects of job hunting is the fear of an interview. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek the approval and support of others particularly from prospective employers. While speaking about themselves may be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked about their career or past successes. Perhaps because of modesty, or the discomfort that comes with being asked personal questions interviews have turned out to be one of the biggest and most nerve-wracking parts of the hiring process.
This doesn’t need to be the scenario.
Interviews are the best way for the applicant to demonstrate their skills are, their achievements, and potential. You’ve made it through the first step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners and you being selected for an interview. The chance to show and elaborate on your resume, experience and the most important skills and abilities is the proverbial step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer that you have what it takes you increase your odds of getting through the next stage of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews if you have apprehensions about talking about your own achievements. Practice is key to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be rehearsed prior to the time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can implement to improve your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your future employers.
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions partially because they wish to gather information, but also, since they want to help you come out of potentially contentious topics and concerns. Consider for instance the question "Why are you leaving your current job?"
The answer may be because of problems with management, or concerns about work-life balance. No matter the answer, however, the manner the way you frame the answer will indicate your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Respond honestly and explain your response with as much objectivity as feasible. This means eliminating any emotional responses , such as answers based on feelings or emotions and are not substantiated by factual evidence.
Other questions to consider include "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should we hire us?", or trick questions such as "Why do us not hire you?" The key is to not lose composure and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and then follow it up with a short argument or explanation of the reasons you responded in a certain manner. After that, you can add examples or further elaborate. After you have explained thoroughly, go back to your previous point.
In the same way, if you’re required to explain your participation in a particular project or task, you may use an approach called the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond to selection criteria. When you use STAR it is necessary to describe a scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the results.
All it is in the body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful situation may be difficult, but you can always make sure you are practicing professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a friend you trust to inquire about your concerns and take note of your actions. Are you moving or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Are you looking uneasy, aggressive, or closed off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect the point you are trying to convey? Do you convey genuineness, honesty, and genuine interest?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to your interview, make sure you go over the job description once more. If you have read the job description and then used the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume as well as other selection documents It is imperative to think about the job description and how you will describe yourself to the interviewer. Be honest and upfront about your strengths and weaknesses. Being open regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to see your strengths as a potential client. However, announcing your intention to work on your weaknesses will be just as relevant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine interest in the job and within the business. The best person to approach for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description, or you have questions that were left unanswered by their FAQ page or guide questions (which are usually found in the job description or their general hiring page about section) You can raise them at the conclusion of the interview when the interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer include:
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the jobif given the chance to be part of you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects on at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities for further development and training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Other benefits and packages for salary are typically advertised along with the job (or within a set of options when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers may still want to know what salary you are expecting. The most important thing to do is include a range that you would like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact number or a set amount. Try to keep your range tight instead of giving an expansive margin. If, for instance, you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a good range is anywhere between the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any other perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you consider your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your purse is important to equip yourself with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials and for interviews, please reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to guide you through the interview preparation steps. Contact us now for a no-cost quote or contact us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 615 870.
