Strategies for Interview Success
A major and daunting 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 seem natural to certain people However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions about their career or past achievements. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort arising from being asked personal questions Interviews have become one of the biggest and most intimidating parts in the process of hiring.
This does not have to be the case.
Interviews are a crucial opportunity for applicants to showcase their abilities as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You’ve been through the first step with your resume passing an appearance on ATS scanners and getting a callback. This opportunity to present and further elaborate on one’s profile, employment history as well as the key skills and expertise is the proverbial entrance into the interview: if you convince the interviewer that you’re qualified you increase your odds of passing through the next stage of the selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing concerns about presenting your achievements. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed prior to the time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some suggestions you can apply to boost your chances of getting through that interview and impressing future employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions.
Interviewers ask challenging questions, partly because they want to elicit information, but also, in order to help you navigate your way out of potentially contentious topics and issues. Consider for instance the question "Why do you want to leave your current position?"
The answer to the question may be because of managerial issues, or worries about work-life balance. Whatever the reason but the way that you formulate your response will signal your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your responses with the greatest objectivity can be. This means eliminating all emotional responses, like answers based on emotions or feelings and do not have any basis in facts.
Other questions to consider include "What did you do to get this role?", "Why should us choose to hire your services?", or trick questions such as "Why should us not employ you?" The key is not to lose your cool and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and follow up with a short reason or summary as to the reasons you responded in a certain manner. After that, you can add instances or elaborate. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly then return to your previous point.
Similarly, if you are asked to write about your involvement in a project or task then you can use to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is often used when responding the selection requirements. When using STAR you will need to write an Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken as well as the Result.
It’s all in body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful environment can be a tall order However, you can practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a trusted person to ask you questions and take note of your actions. Are you shifting or fidgeting about nervously? Do you look rigid, aloof, defensive or aloof in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match what you want to convey? Do you communicate authenticity, openness and genuine interest?
Take a look at your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, ensure that you read the job description over again. Assuming you read the job description and applied the roles and responsibilities described within to customize and modify your resume and other documents for selection, it is important to look at the job description in order to accurately describe yourself to the interviewer. Be candid and open on your strength and weakness. Being open about your strengths will enable interviewers to recognize your selling points as a prospective client. However, showing your determination to work on your weaknesses will be just as important.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is to show genuine interest about the job and the company. The best person to approach is the interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting on the resume, or if you have any questions that have not been answered on their FAQ page or guide questions (which typically are found in the job application or the general page for hiring About section) Bring them up during the interview, after your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer include:
"How do I become the most suitable person for the jobif offered the chance to work alongside you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities to advance and further education?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Other benefits and packages for salary are typically advertised along with the job (or as part of a range when applying via SEEK). However, the interviewer may ask you how much you are expecting. A good tip is to offer a range within which you’d like your pay to fall instead of offering an exact or fixed number. Be sure to keep the range tight instead of giving a wide margin. For instance, if you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a sensible range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anything in the range of $10,000. Be aware of any other benefits and perks also and take these into consideration when you think about your salary expectations.
These steps to prepare in your pocket is crucial to ensure you have the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and be courageous.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, you may get in touch with Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants are able to assist you in your preparation steps. Contact us today for a free quotation or contact us directly to speak with one our consultants at 1300 202 320.
