Strategies for Interview Success
One of the most daunting aspects of job hunting is the fear of an interview. The fear of an interview is a natural consequence of seeking recognition and acceptance from other people particularly from prospective employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may seem natural to certain people however, many are nervous about being asked questions regarding their professional or previous accomplishments. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort arising from being asked to answer personal questions interviews have turned out to be one of the biggest and most intimidating aspects of the hiring process.
This does not have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a crucial way for the applicant to prove their capabilities are, their achievements, and potential. It’s been a while since you’ve been through the first step with your resume passing it through ATS scanners and being shortlisted for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate on one’s profile, employment history, and key skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a step to the front and if you can convince the interviewer you’re a good fit this increases your chances of passing the next phase of the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews if you have apprehensions about talking about your achievements. Training is the key to success and luckily, interview questions can be practiced prior to the time. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some helpful tips you can use to increase your chances of getting through that interview and impressing your future employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, in part, to get information from you as well as in order to help you navigate your way out of potential contentious issues and issues. Take for example the question "Why are you leaving your current job?"
The answer to the question could be due to management issues, or concerns about work-life balance. No matter the answer, however, the manner the way you frame your answer will demonstrate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your response in the most objective way is possible. This means eliminating any emotional responses such as responses based on emotions or feelings and are not supported by facts.
Other important questions to ask are "What inspired you to apply for this role?", "Why should us choose to hire us?", or trick questions like "Why do we not employ you?" The key is not to lose your cool and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and follow up with a short reason or summary as to why you chose to respond in a specific manner. Next, provide examples or further elaborate. After you have explained thoroughly you can go back to your previous point.
Similarly, if you are required to explain your participation in a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could use to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond the selection requirements. When using STAR, you must state the context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the results.
It’s all in body language
The ability to act naturally in difficult situation can be difficult but it is possible to learn to communicate professionally. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask you questions and note your mannerisms. Are you moving or fidgeting about nervously? Do you look rigid, aloof, defensive or reserved in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect what you want to convey? Do you display genuineness, honesty and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, make sure you go over the description of the position. In the event that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and responsibilities outlined in the description to make changes to your resume and other selection documents It is crucial to think about the job description in order to accurately describe yourself to the interviewer. Be open and honest regarding your weaknesses and strengths. Being open regarding your strengths will allow interviewers to recognize your unique selling points as a potential client. However, signalling your intent to work on your weaknesses will also be important.
Prepare questions
Another important aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest for the position and the business. The best person to approach to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you have noticed something intriguing on the resume or you have questions that have not been answered on their FAQ page or their guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or their general hiring page about section) Bring them up during the interview, when your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the job, should I be offered the chance to be part of you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway in the present"
"What are the chances for further development and training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Other benefits and packages for salary are usually advertised alongside the position (or within a set of options, for those applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still be interested in knowing what you’re expecting to earn. An important point to remember is to offer a range within which you would like your salary to fall instead of offering an exact number or a set amount. Make sure to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing a wide margin. For instance, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a reasonable range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Consider additional perks and benefits in addition to these when you consider your salary goals.
These steps to prepare in your purse is important to ensure you have the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, self-assured and bold.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for interview preparation, contact Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants can guide you through the interview preparation phases. Contact us today to receive an free quote or contact us directly for a chat with one of our experts on 1300 290 659.
