A Guide to Interview Preparation
Perhaps the most frightening aspect of job hunts is the daunting interview process. The fear of an interview is a natural result of wanting to seek approval and validation from others in particular from potential employers. Although talking about oneself may seem natural to certain people but others feel nervous about being asked questions regarding their work or prior achievements. Perhaps out of modesty and the anxiety that comes from being asked to answer personal questions, the interview has become among the more intimidating aspects of the hiring process.
This doesn’t need to be the scenario.
Interviews are the best way for the applicant to demonstrate their skills have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. It’s been a while since you’ve been through the first step, with your resume making an appearance on ATS scanners and your name being considered for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate further on your profile, work history, and key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate, it boosts your chances of passing through to the next step in the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with fears about speaking about your accomplishments. Training is the key to success and luckily, interview questions can be practiced before the date. The key to a flawless interview is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can use to increase your chances at nailing 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 gain information, but also, in order to help you navigate your way out of potentially contentious issues and concerns. Consider for instance the question "Why are you leaving your current job?"
The answer to the question may be because of problems with management, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. No matter the answer, however, the manner in which you phrase your answer will demonstrate your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Respond honestly and explain your answer with as much objectivity as possible. This includes removing any emotional responses , such as responses that are based solely on feelings or sentiments that are not supported by actual facts.
Other questions to be prepared for include "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should us choose to hire you?", or trick questions such as "Why do we not employ you?" The key is to not lose composure and plan your thoughts well.
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 reason or summary as to the reasons you responded in a certain manner. Add examples or further elaborate. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly you can go back to the previous section.
In the same way, if you’re asked to describe your involvement in a particular project or task, you may apply an approach called the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond to criteria for selection. If you are using STAR you will need to write an situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the result.
It’s all in the body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful situation could be a daunting task, but you can always make sure you are practicing professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions of you and take note of your actions. Are you fidgeting or shifting about nervously? Do you seem uneasy, aggressive or shut 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 convey openness, sincerity and genuine enthusiasm?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
Before the interview, you should read the job description again. Assuming you read the job description and utilized the roles and duties listed therein to modify and customise your resume as well as other selection documents, it is important to look at the job description and how you will prepare yourself for interviewers. Be honest and upfront about your strengths and weaknesses. Being honest about your strengths can allow the interviewer to note your strengths as a potential customer. However, announcing your intention to address your weaknesses will be just as notable.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest in the job and within the company. The best person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting in the job description, or if you have questions that have not been answered through their FAQ or their guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or in their general hiring page about section) Bring them up at the end of the interview, after your interviewer asks you to pose questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer are:
"How can I be the most qualified person for this task, if given the chance to be part of you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects on at the moment"
"What are the chances to further develop and learn?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Salary packages and other benefits are often advertised with the position (or on a list if applying through SEEK). However, the interviewer may ask you how much you are expecting. The most important thing to do is give a range of where you’d like your pay to fall rather than giving an exact or set number. Be sure to keep the range as narrow as possible instead of offering a 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 or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of other perks and benefits in addition to these when you think about your salary expectations.
The preparation steps you have in your purse is important to equip yourself with the capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and certificates, as well as for the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our knowledgeable and professional consultants will be able to guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us today to receive an free quotation or contact us directly for a chat with one of our consultants at 1300 202 320.
