Interview Readiness Blueprint
A major and difficult aspect of job hunts is the daunting interview process. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. Although expressing their opinions about themselves might come naturally to some people but others feel nervous about being asked questions about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps out of modesty and the anxiety that comes from being asked personal questions Interviews have become one of the most stressful parts in the process of hiring.
This does not have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a great way for the applicant to show that their competencies are, their achievements, and potential. You’ve completed the initial step and your resume has made an appearance on ATS scanners and you being considered for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and further elaborate on your profile, work history and the most important skills and knowledge is the aforementioned step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer you have what it takes that increases your chances of passing the next stage of the final selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews even if you’re having fears about speaking about your accomplishments. The practice is essential, and fortunately, interview questions can be practiced in advance. The key to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some helpful tips you can follow to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Be comfortable with difficult questions.
Interviewers are able to ask tough questions in part, to gain information as well as since they want to help you navigate your way out of potentially contentious questions and issues. Consider, for instance, the question "Why are you leaving your current position?"
The answer may be because of management issues, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason, however, the manner that you formulate your answer will show your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your responses with as much objectivity as possible. This means removing any emotional responses , such as responses that are based solely on emotions or feelings that are not supported by factual evidence.
Other questions to prepare for are "What inspired you to apply for this job?", "Why should we hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions like "Why should we not take you on?" 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. Lead with your point and then follow it up with a short note of the reason or reasons the reasons you responded in a certain manner. Then, add examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained you can go back to your previous point.
Similarly, if you are required to explain your participation in a task or project, you may employ to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is often used when responding on selection criteria. When using STAR the first thing you need to do is write the situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the final result.
It’s all in the body language
Acting naturally in a stressful environment can be difficult, but you can always make sure you are practicing professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or have a trusted companion to inquire about your concerns and note your mannerisms. Are you moving or fidgeting around with a nervousness? Do you appear uneasy, aggressive or reserved in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with the point you are trying to convey? Do you communicate authenticity, openness and genuine concern?
Consider your strengths and weak points.
Prior to the interview, ensure that you review the description of the position. Assuming you read the job description and used the roles and responsibilities described therein to modify and customise your resume and other document of selection, it is important to review 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 can allow the interviewer to see your selling points as a prospect. However, signalling your intent to work on your weaknesses will also be important.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the job and within the company. The best person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you noticed something interesting in the job description, or if you have questions that were left unanswered by their FAQ page or guide questions (which are typically found within the job description or their general hiring page about section) You can raise them during the interview, when your interviewer invites you to ask questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer:
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the jobif given the chance to work alongside members of your staff?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline right now"
"What are the possibilities to further develop and learn?"
Know what your salary expectations are.
Other benefits and packages for salary are typically advertised along with the position (or on a list, if applying through SEEK). But, interviewers might ask you how much you are expecting. A good tip is to offer a range within which you’d like your earnings to be, rather than providing an exact, fixed amount. Keep your range tight instead of giving a wide margin. For instance, if think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a reasonable range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anything in the range of $10,000. Also, be aware of other perks and benefits as well and consider these when you are evaluating your salary goals.
Having these preparatory steps in your purse is important for ensuring you are in ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, confident, and confident and be courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials and for the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants can help you through your preparatory phases. Contact us now for the free quotation or to call us directly to speak with one of our experts on 1300 648 974.