Ace Your Interviews: Preparation Guide
A major and daunting aspects of job hunting is the fear of an interview. It is a normal result of wanting to seek acceptance and approval from others particularly from prospective employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may seem natural to certain people but others feel nervous about being asked questions about their work or prior achievements. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort that comes with being asked to answer personal questions, the interview has become among the more intimidating aspects in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t need to be the scenario.
Interviews are the best way for the applicant to demonstrate their skills as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You’ve already completed the initial step by submitting your resume to the cut through ATS scanners and your name being shortlisted for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate upon your resume, experience as well as the key skills and abilities is the proverbial entrance into the interview when you convince the interviewer you’re qualified you increase your odds of passing through the next phase of the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews even if you’re having apprehensions about talking about your own achievements. Practice is key to a successful interview, and luckily, the questions can be practiced in advance. The key to a flawless interview is preparation, and here are some helpful tips you can implement to improve your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your future employers.
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions in part, to gather information and information, but also in order to help you get out of potentially contentious issues and concerns. Take for example the question "Why are you leaving your current job?"
The answer to the question could be due to managerial issues, or worries with work-life balance, etc. No matter the answer, however, the manner in which you phrase the answer will indicate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your answer with the greatest objectivity feasible. This includes removing any emotional responses such as answers that are based purely on emotions or feelings and are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to prepare for are "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should we hire your services?", or trick questions like "Why do us not hire you?" The key is to stay calm and arrange your thoughts with care.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Begin with your topic and follow up with a short explanation or a brief summary of why you chose to respond in a specific manner. Then, add details or go into more detail. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly, go back to the previous section.
Similarly, if you are required to explain your participation in a particular project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could apply an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding to criteria for selection. In using STAR the first thing you need to do is write a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the Result.
All it is in the body language
Acting naturally in a difficult situation can be a tall order However, you can practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions of you and note your mannerisms. Are you moving or fidgeting around with a nervousness? Do you look intimidating, stiff, defensive or aloof in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect the message you’re trying to make? Do you convey openness, sincerity and genuine concern?
Consider your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, you should review the job description once more. Assuming that you’ve read the description and then used the roles and responsibilities described in it to alter and personalize your resume and other selection documents It is imperative to think about the job description to clearly prepare yourself for interviewers. Be candid and open concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being honest about your strengths will enable the interviewer to see your strengths as a prospective client. However, showing your determination to work on your weak points will be equally notable.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the role and in the business. The best person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting on the resume, or if you have concerns that weren’t answered by their FAQ page or the guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or their general hiring page About section), raise these at the end of the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer are:
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the jobif given the chance to work with members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline in the present"
"What are the opportunities to advance and further education?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are generally advertised with the position (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 give a range of where you would like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact or set number. Keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a any wide range. For instance, if anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a reasonable choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anything in the range of $10,000. Be aware of any additional perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you are evaluating your salary goals.
Inputting these steps into your pocket is crucial to equip yourself with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, confident, and confident and be courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment or credentials as well as the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants can help you through your preparatory phases. Contact us today to receive a free quotation or phone us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 240 606.
