Optimizing Your Interview Preparation
The most intimidating aspects of job hunting is the interview stage. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking recognition and acceptance from other people and especially your potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked questions about their professional or previous accomplishments. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked to answer personal questions, the interview has become one of the biggest and most nerve-wracking parts during the selection process.
This doesn’t need to be the scenario.
Interviews are a great method for applicants to show that their competencies are, their achievements, and potential. You have already completed the initial step with your resume passing its way through ATS scanners and your name being considered for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate further on one’s profile, employment history, and key skills and knowledge is the aforementioned way to get noticed If you can convince the interviewer that you’re qualified you increase your odds of passing through the next phase of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews even if you’re having apprehensions about talking about your own achievements. The practice is essential and luckily, interview questions can be practiced before the date. The key to a flawless interview is preparation, and here are some suggestions you can follow to boost your chances of aceing that interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partly because they want to gain information as well as in order to help how you can get rid of potential contentious issues and concerns. Consider, for instance, the question "Why have you decided to quit your current job?"
The answer may be because of management concerns, or issues about work-life balance. Whatever the reason but the way in which you phrase your response will signal your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your response in the most objective way possible. This includes removing any emotional responses such as responses based on sentiments or feelings, that are not supported by evidence.
Other questions to be prepared for include "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should us choose to hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions like "Why should be able to not employ you?" The key is not to lose your cool and arrange your thoughts with care.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and then follow it up with a short reason or summary as to the reasons you responded in a certain manner. Add details or go into more detail. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly you can go back to your previous point.
In the same way, if you’re asked to write about your involvement in a particular project or task it is possible to use the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond on selection criteria. When using STAR you will need to write a scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the results.
All it is in the body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation may be difficult However, you can learn to communicate professionally. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask you questions and observe your body language. Are you shifting or fidgeting about with anxiety? Do you look rigid, aloof, defensive or shut off in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match what you want to make? Do you communicate openness, sincerity and genuine enthusiasm?
Consider your strengths and weak points.
Prior to your interview, make sure you go over the job description once more. Assuming that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and responsibilities outlined in it to alter and personalize your resume and other document of selection It is essential to consider the job description in order to accurately present yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being truthful regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to notice your selling points as a potential client. However, showing your determination to address your weaknesses is just as relevant.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest in the job and within the company. The most appropriate person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you’ve noticed something you like from the job descriptions or if you have questions that were left unanswered through their FAQ or guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or in the general page for hiring About section), raise these during the interview, after your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer include:
"How can I be the most qualified person for this job, should I be given the opportunity to work with your team?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway right now"
"What are the opportunities to further develop and learn?"
Know your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are typically advertised along with the job (or as part of a range, if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still ask you how much you’re expecting to earn. The most important thing to do is include a range that you’d like your salary to fall rather than giving an exact or fixed number. Keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing the possibility of a large margin. For example, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, an appropriate range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Consider additional perks and benefits too and think about these when you are evaluating your salary goals.
The preparation steps you have in your back pocket is essential to be prepared with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials and for interview preparation, you may contact Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants will be able to assist you in your preparation steps. Contact us today to receive an complimentary quote or to call us directly to speak with one of our consultants at 03 5420 1563.
