Interview Preparation Tactics
A major and frightening aspect of job hunts is the interview stage. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting to seek approval and validation from others, especially from your prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may be natural for some, others are apprehensive about being asked questions regarding their professional or previous successes. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked to answer personal questions, the interview has become an extremely stressful parts of the hiring process.
This doesn’t need to be the situation.
Interviews are the best method for applicants to prove their capabilities, achievements, and potentials. You have already made it through the first step with your resume passing its way through ATS scanners and your name being shortlisted for an interview. This chance to present and elaborate further on the profile of your employer, background as well as key abilities and abilities is the proverbial foot in the door when you convince the interviewer that you have what it takes, it boosts your chances of passing the next phase of the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing fears about speaking about your accomplishments. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some guidelines you can follow to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your potential employers.
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions partly because they want to get information from you however, also in order to help you navigate your way out of potential contentious issues and issues. Consider, for instance, the question "Why are you leaving your current job?"
The reason for this could be due to management concerns, or issues regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason, however, the manner the way you frame your response will signal your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Respond honestly and explain your answer with as much objectivity as possible. This includes removing all emotional responses, like responses based on feelings or emotions and are not supported by evidence.
Other important questions to ask are "What motivated you to apply for this role?", "Why should we hire your services?", or trick questions such as "Why do be able to not choose you?" The key is to stay calm 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 provide a concise reason or summary as to why you chose to respond in a specific way. Next, provide details or go into more detail. Once you’ve thoroughly explained, go back to the point you made earlier.
Similarly, if you are requested to provide a description of your participation in a project or task then you can apply an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding the selection requirements. When using STAR, you must state an Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken, and lastly, the result.
All it is in the body language
The ability to act naturally in difficult situation can be a daunting task however, you can practice professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask questions and observe your body language. Are you shifting or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Do you seem intimidating, stiff, 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 display authenticity, openness, and genuine interest?
Be aware of your strengths and weak points.
Prior to your interview, you should go over the description of the position. If you have read the job description and utilized the roles and duties listed within to customize and modify your resume as well as other selection documents, it is important to think about the job description in order to accurately prepare yourself for interviewers. Be open and honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Being truthful about your strengths will enable the interviewer to notice your selling points as a potential client. However, signalling your intent to work on your weaknesses will also be important.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the job and within the company. The most appropriate person to ask is the interviewer. If you noticed something interesting within the description of your job, or if you have questions not answered by their FAQ page or guide questions (which are typically found within the job packet or the general page for hiring about section) Make sure to bring them up after the interview, when your interviewer asks you to pose questions. Some thought-provoking questions you may ask your employer:
"How do I become the best person for the job, should I be given the opportunity to work with members of your staff?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on currently"
"What are the chances to further develop and learn?"
Know your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are usually advertised alongside the position (or on a list, for those applying through SEEK). But, interviewers might be interested in knowing what you expect to earn. The most important thing to do is give a range of where you’d like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact, fixed amount. Be sure to keep the range tight instead of giving any wide range. For instance, if anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a good range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Be aware of any other benefits and perks too and think about these when you consider your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital to ensure you have the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured, and be bold.
For help with the recruitment process, documents and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, you may reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants are able to help you with your interview preparation steps. Contact us today for an free quotation or call us direct to speak with one our consultants at 1300 681 902.
