Steps to Interview Readiness
Perhaps the most daunting aspects of the job search is the fear of an interview. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek approval and validation from others particularly from prospective employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be a natural thing for some, others are apprehensive about being asked questions regarding their career or past achievements. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort that comes with being asked questions that are personal to them, the interview has become among the more intimidating aspects during the selection process.
This doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a great opportunity for applicants to show that their competencies have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. It’s been a while since you’ve made it through the first step by submitting your resume to it through ATS scanners and you getting a callback. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate further on your profile, work history as well as key abilities and knowledge is the aforementioned step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer you’re qualified this increases your chances of passing the next phase of the final selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews in case you’re experiencing concerns about presenting your achievements. The practice is essential, and fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can use to increase your chances of aceing that interview and impressing future employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partly because they want to gather information however, also since they want to help you get out of potential contentious issues and issues. Consider, for instance, the question "Why are you resigning from your current position?"
The reason for this could be due to management issues, or concerns about work-life balance. Whatever the reason but the way that you formulate your answer will show your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your answer with as much objectivity as feasible. This means eliminating any emotional responses such as answers that are based purely on feelings or sentiments and are not substantiated by evidence.
Other questions to consider include "What motivated you to apply for this position?", "Why should we choose you?", or trick questions like "Why do we not choose you?" The key is to remain calm and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Start with your statement and then follow it up with a short explanation or a brief summary of why you responded a certain way. Add details or go into more detail. After you have explained thoroughly you can go back to your original point.
In the same way, if you’re asked to describe your involvement on a project or task it is possible to use this method. STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond on selection criteria. When you use STAR the first thing you need to do is write the Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the results.
The body language
Acting naturally in a stressful situation could be difficult however, you can try to practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or have a trusted companion to ask you questions and observe your behavior. Are you moving or fidgeting about nervously? Are you looking stiff, standoffish, defensive or shut off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with the point you are trying to convey? Do you communicate openness, sincerity and genuine enthusiasm?
Be aware of your strengths and weak points.
Before the interview, you should go over the description of the position. Assuming you read the job description and then used the roles and responsibilities outlined in it to alter and personalize your resume and other documents for selection It is crucial to review the job description in order to accurately prepare yourself for interviewers. Be candid and open on your strength and weakness. Being open about your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your selling points as a prospect. However, showing your determination to address your weaknesses is just as important.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine enthusiasm for the position and the company. The best person to approach questions is your interviewer. If you noticed something interesting within the description of your job, or if you have questions that were left unanswered on their FAQ page or their guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or their general hiring page About section) Make sure to bring them up during the interview, when your interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer include:
"How do I become the most qualified person for this job, if I am offered the chance to be part of the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the chances for further development and training?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Other benefits and packages for salary are typically advertised along with the position (or within a set of options, when applying via SEEK). But, interviewers might inquire about the amount you anticipate earning. A good tip is to give a range of where you’d like your earnings to be, rather than providing an exact or fixed number. Be sure to keep the limit to a narrow range instead of providing any wide range. For instance, if expect to make $75,000 a year, an appropriate range is anywhere between the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any other benefits and perks in addition to these when you consider your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your purse is important to be prepared with the confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can help you through your preparatory steps. Contact us now for a complimentary quote or phone us directly to speak to one of our consultants on 0800 215 100.
