Optimizing Your Interview Preparation
One of the most difficult aspect of job hunts is the dreaded interview round. It is a normal result of wanting acceptance and approval from others in particular from potential employers. Although talking about oneself may be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked about their professional or previous successes. Perhaps due to modesty or the anxiety that comes from being asked questions that are personal to them Interviews have become among the more stressful parts during the selection process.
This does not have to be the case.
Interviews are an important opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their skills, achievements, and potentials. You’ve completed the initial step, with your resume making its way through ATS scanners, and your name getting a callback. The chance to show and elaborate further on one’s profile, employment history and the most important skills and abilities is the proverbial entrance into the interview: if you convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate, it boosts your chances of passing the next step of the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interviews if you have concerns about presenting your personal achievements. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be practiced before the date. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can follow to boost your chances of getting through that interview and impressing prospective employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, in part, to elicit information and information, but also because they want to help you navigate your way out of potential contentious issues and concerns. Consider, for instance, the question "Why do you want to leave your current position?"
The answer to this question could be due to problems with management, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason however, the manner in which you phrase your answer will show your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Be honest and articulate your response in the most objective way can be. This includes removing any emotional responses , such as responses based on emotions or feelings and do not have any basis in evidence.
Other questions to consider include "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should we hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions like "Why should we not choose you?" The key is to stay calm and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Start with your statement and follow up with a short argument or explanation of the reason you reacted in a particular manner. Add examples or further elaborate. After you have explained thoroughly, go back to the point you made earlier.
Also, if required to explain your participation in a project or task it is possible to use the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond on selection criteria. When using STAR you will need to write an scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken as well as the final result.
The body language
Acting naturally in a stressful situation may be a challenge, but you can always practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to inquire about your concerns and take note of your actions. Are you flitting or shifting about nervously? Do you seem intimidating, stiff, defensive, or closed off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the message you’re trying to make? Do you show openness, sincerity, and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and weak points.
Prior to the interview, be sure to review the job description over again. Assuming that you’ve read the description and then used the roles and duties listed in it to alter and personalize your resume and other document of selection, it is important to look at the job description to honestly prepare yourself for interviewers. Be honest and upfront on your strength and weakness. Being realistic about your strengths will enable the interviewer to see your selling points as a potential client. However, announcing your intention to improve your weak points will be equally significant.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is to show genuine interest in the job and within the business. The best person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like within the description of your job, or if you’ve got any concerns that weren’t answered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or in the general page for hiring About section) Bring them up during the interview when the interviewer asks you to pose questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer include:
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the jobif given the opportunity to be part of members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline at the moment"
"What are the chances to advance and further education?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are usually advertised alongside the position (or in a variety when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers may still want to know what salary you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to include a range that you’d like your pay to be based instead of giving an exact, fixed amount. Make sure to keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a an expansive margin. If, for instance, you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a good range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Be aware of any other benefits and perks in addition to these when you think about your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your pocket is crucial for ensuring you are in confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, confident, and confident and bold.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and credentials and for interviews, please reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can help you through your preparatory phases. Contact us today for an free quote or phone us directly to speak with one our consultants on 0800 215 100.
