A Guide to Interview Preparation
A major and difficult aspect of job hunts is the fear of an interview. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting to seek approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might be natural for some, others are apprehensive about being asked questions regarding their professional or previous successes. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked questions about their personal life The interview process has evolved into one of the biggest and most intimidating parts during the selection process.
This doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a crucial means for the candidate to demonstrate their skills as well as their accomplishments and capabilities. You’ve already made it through the first step, with your resume making it through ATS scanners and being shortlisted for an interview. The chance to show and further elaborate on the profile of your employer, background, and key skills and expertise is the proverbial foot in the door and if you can convince the interviewer you have what it takes that increases your chances to be selected for the next step of the final selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews if you have doubts about speaking about your personal achievements. Practice is key, and fortunately, interview questions can be practiced in advance. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some tips that you can use to increase your chances of getting through that interview and impressing your future employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, in part, to gather information as well as because they want to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious issues and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"
The answer to this question may be because of management issues, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer, however, the manner that you formulate your response will signal your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Be honest and articulate your response in the most objective way feasible. This means removing any emotional responses , such as answers that are based purely on feelings or emotions and do not have any basis in factual evidence.
Other questions to prepare for include "What made you apply for this role?", "Why should be hiring you?", or trick questions like "Why do we not choose you?" The key is to not lose composure and arrange your thoughts with care.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Begin with your topic and then follow it up with a short explanation or a brief summary of why you chose to respond in a specific manner. Add details or go into more detail. Once you’ve thoroughly explained then return to your previous point.
If you’re requested to provide a description of your participation on a project or task then you can employ the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond to criteria for selection. In using STAR you will need to write an scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the results.
The body language
Being natural in a stressful situation could be a daunting task, but you can always try to practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask questions and observe your behavior. Are you flitting or shifting about nervously? Do you look rigid, aloof, defensive, or closed off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with what you want to convey? Do you show openness, sincerity and genuine concern?
Consider your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, ensure that you read the job description once more. In the event that you’ve read the description and utilized the roles and responsibilities listed in it to alter and personalize your resume and other documents for selection It is essential to consider the job description to clearly describe yourself to the interviewer. Be upfront and honest on your strength and weakness. Being open regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your unique selling points as a prospective client. But, indicating your intention to improve your weaknesses will be just as notable.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is to show genuine interest in the job and within the company. The best person to ask questions is your interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting within the description of your job or you have concerns that weren’t answered on their FAQ page or guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or in their general hiring page About section) Make sure to bring them up after the interview, after your interviewer asks you to pose questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer are:
"How do I become the most qualified person for this task, if given the chance to work with you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline at the moment"
"What are the potential opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Know your salary expectations
Other benefits and packages for salary are usually advertised alongside the job (or as part of a range when applying via SEEK). However, interviewers may still want to know what salary you’re expecting to earn. One important tip is to include a range that you’d like your pay to be based instead of giving an exact number or a set amount. Make sure to keep your range tight instead of giving a wide margin. If, for instance, you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a sensible range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of additional perks and benefits in addition to these when you consider your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your pocket is crucial to ensure you have the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and credentials , and also for the preparation for your interview, contact Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants will be able to assist you in your preparation phases. Contact us today for a no-cost quote or call us direct to speak with one our experts on 1300 202 320.
