Interview Readiness Blueprint
One of the most frightening aspect of job hunts is the dreaded interview round. Interview fear 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 come naturally to some people however, many are nervous about being asked questions regarding their work or prior accomplishments. Perhaps because of modesty, or the anxiety that comes from being asked questions about their personal life Interviews have become an extremely intimidating aspects in the process of hiring.
This does not have to be the situation.
Interviews are a great opportunity for applicants to show that their competencies are, their achievements, and potential. You have already completed the initial step by submitting your resume to an appearance on ATS scanners and you being shortlisted for an interview. This chance to present and further elaborate on the profile of your employer, background as well as the key skills and abilities is the proverbial way to get noticed: if you convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate, it boosts your chances of passing the next stage of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with doubts about speaking about your achievements. It is important to practice and, fortunately, interview questions can be practiced ahead of time. The key to a flawless interview is preparation, and here are some tips that you can apply to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your future employers:
Get comfortable around tricky questions.
Interviewers pose challenging questions partly because they want to elicit information and information, but also since they want to help you navigate your way out of potentially contentious issues and concerns. Consider for instance the question "Why have you decided to quit your current job?"
The answer to the question may be because of management concerns, or issues about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason however, the manner the way you frame your answer will show your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Answer honestly and explain your answer with the greatest objectivity can be. This means removing any emotional responses , such as answers based on feelings or emotions and do not have any basis in factual evidence.
Other questions to consider are "What did you do to get this position?", "Why should us choose to hire you?", or trick questions like "Why do us not hire you?" The key is to remain calm and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Begin with your topic and follow with a brief argument or explanation of the reasons you responded in a certain way. Add instances or elaborate. After you have explained thoroughly the topic, return to your original point.
If you’re asked to write about your involvement on a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could utilize the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding on selection criteria. When you use STAR, you must state an scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken followed by the result.
It’s all in the body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful environment can be a daunting task However, you can learn to communicate professionally. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask questions of you and take note of your actions. Are you fidgeting or shifting about nervously? Do you appear uneasy, aggressive or shut off in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with what you want to make? Do you display genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?
Take a look at your strengths and weaknesses
Before you go to the interview, you should review the description of the position. Assuming that you’ve read the description and then used the roles and responsibilities listed within to customize and modify your resume and other document of selection It is crucial to look at the job description to honestly describe yourself to the interviewer. Be honest and upfront concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being truthful about your strengths can allow the interviewer to see your selling points as a prospective client. However, signalling your intent to work on your weaknesses is just as relevant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine interest about the job and the company. The best person to approach questions is your interviewer. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting within the description of your job or if you have questions that have not been answered on their FAQ page or their guide questions (which can be found in the job description or the general page for hiring about section) Make sure to bring them up during the interview, when your interviewer is encouraging you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer include:
"How can I be the most suitable person for the task, if given the opportunity to work alongside your team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the chances to advance and further education?"
Know your salary expectations
Salary packages and other benefits are often advertised with the job (or on a list if applying through SEEK). However, the interviewer may want to know what salary you anticipate earning. A good tip is to offer a range within which you would like your salary to be, rather than providing an exact or set number. Try to keep your range as narrow as possible instead of offering a the possibility of a large margin. For instance, if are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a reasonable range would be in the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Consider additional perks and benefits in addition to these when you consider your salary expectations.
Inputting these steps into your pocket is crucial to equip yourself with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, feel confident and be courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for the preparation for your interview, get in touch with Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can guide you through the interview preparation stages. Contact us today to receive the no-cost quote or call us direct for a chat with one of our consultants at 0800 024 129.
