Interview Readiness Blueprint
A major and frightening aspects of job searching is the interview stage. The fear of an interview is a natural consequence of seeking the approval and support of others, especially from your prospective employers. While speaking about themselves may seem natural to certain people However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions about their work or prior achievements. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort arising from being asked questions that are personal to them interviews have turned out to be one of the most intimidating aspects in the process of hiring.
This doesn’t need to be the scenario.
Interviews are a great opportunity for applicants to show that their competencies, achievements, and potentials. You have already passed the first step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners and your name getting a callback. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate upon your profile, work history as well as the key skills and knowledge is the aforementioned entrance into the interview: if you convince the interviewer that you have what it takes, it boosts your chances of passing through the next stage of the final selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing fears about speaking about your achievements. The practice is essential and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed in advance. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some guidelines you can use to increase your chances of getting through that interview and impressing prospective employers:
Get comfortable around tricky questions
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partly because they want to elicit information however, also because they want to see you come out of potentially contentious topics and issues. For instance, consider the question "Why do you want to leave your current position?"
The reason for this could be due to managerial issues, or worries 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. Give a clear and honest explanation of your responses using as much objectivity can be. This means removing all emotional responses, like responses that are based solely on sentiments or feelings, and do not have any basis in actual facts.
Other questions to prepare for are "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should we choose your services?", or trick questions like "Why should we not take you on?" The key is to stay calm and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and then provide a concise note of the reason or reasons why you chose to respond in a specific manner. Next, provide specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve thoroughly explained then return to your original point.
In the same way, if you’re required to explain your participation on a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could employ the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond on selection criteria. In using STAR the first thing you need to do is write an situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the result.
It’s all in body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful environment can be a daunting task but it is possible to make sure you are practicing professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or have a trusted companion to inquire about your concerns and observe your body language. Are you fidgeting or shifting about with anxiety? Do you look stiff, standoffish, defensive, or closed off in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with the point you are trying to make? Do you show sincerity, authenticity and genuine enthusiasm?
Think about your strengths and weak points.
Before you go to the interview, make sure you read the description of the position. In the event that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and responsibilities outlined in the description to make changes to your resume and other documents for selection It is essential to look at the job description to clearly present yourself to the interviewer. Be honest and upfront concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being honest regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to see your unique selling points as a potential customer. But, indicating your intention to address your weak points will be equally notable.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine interest about the job and the business. The most appropriate person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like from the job descriptions or you have questions that were left unanswered by their FAQ page or their guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or the general page for hiring About section) You can raise them after the interview, when your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer are:
"How can I be the most suitable person for the jobif offered the chance to work alongside the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on currently"
"What are the opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Other benefits and packages for salary are often advertised with the position (or within a set of options, in the case of SEEK). However, the interviewer may ask you how much you anticipate earning. An important point to remember is to include a range that you’d like your salary to be, rather than providing an exact or fixed number. Keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing a wide margin. For instance, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a sensible range is anywhere between the $73,000-$80,000 range or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of other benefits and perks too and think about these when you evaluate your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital for ensuring you are in ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, self-assured and be courageous.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials , and also for interview preparation, you may get in touch with Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants are able to help you with your interview preparation stages. Contact us now for your no-cost quote or contact us directly to speak to one of our consultants on 03 5420 1563.
