Interview Preparation Tactics
The most daunting aspects of the job search is the dreaded interview round. Interview fear is a natural result of wanting to seek the approval and support of others particularly from prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may come naturally to some people However, some are uncomfortable being asked about their professional or previous accomplishments. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become among the more intimidating aspects of the hiring process.
This doesn’t need to be the case.
Interviews are a crucial opportunity for applicants to showcase their abilities are, their achievements, and potential. You have already been through the first step and your resume has made its way through ATS scanners and being considered for an interview. This is the chance to showcase and elaborate further on your resume, experience and the most important skills and experience is the equivalent of getting a foot in the door when you convince the interviewer that you’re a good fit this increases your chances of passing through the next stage of the selection process.
There is no need to be worried about preparing for interviews even if you’re having doubts about speaking about your accomplishments. The practice is essential and luckily, interview questions can be practiced before the date. The key to a flawless interview is preparation, and here are some helpful tips you can implement to improve your chances of nailing the interview and impressing potential employers.
Be comfortable with difficult questions
Interviewers pose challenging questions partially because they wish to gather information however, also because they want to help how you can get rid of potential contentious issues and worries. Consider, for instance, the question "Why have you decided to quit your current position?"
The answer to this question could be due to problems with management, or concerns about the balance between work and life, etc. Whatever the reason however, the manner that you express your answer will show your capacity to be an objective and fair observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your reasoning with as much objectivity as can be. This means that you should eliminate any emotional responses such as answers that are based purely on feelings or sentiments that are not supported by facts.
Other important questions to ask are "What inspired you to apply for this position?", "Why should be hiring us?", or trick questions like "Why should be able to not take you on?" 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. Introduce your idea and follow with a brief argument or explanation of the reason you reacted in a particular manner. Add specific examples or provide more details. Once you’ve thoroughly explained, go back to the previous section.
Similarly, if you are required to explain your participation in a particular project or task then you can utilize an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding on selection criteria. When using STAR you will need to write the context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken, and lastly, the final result.
It’s all in body language
The ability to act naturally in stressful situation may be difficult, but you can always practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a trusted friend to ask questions of you and note your mannerisms. Are you fidgeting or shifting about with anxiety? Are you looking stiff, standoffish, defensive or aloof in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions consistent with your message you’re trying to convey? Do you display authenticity, openness and genuine enthusiasm?
Think about your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before the interview, ensure that you go over the description of the position. Assuming you read the job description and used the roles and responsibilities described within to customize and modify your resume and other selection documents It is essential to review the job description and how you will package yourself for the interviewer. Be candid and open on your strength and weakness. Being truthful about your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your selling points as a potential client. However, showing your determination to improve your weaknesses will be just as important.
Prepare questions
Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine interest for the position and the company. The most appropriate person to ask is the interviewer. If you’ve noticed something you like in the job description, or if you have any questions that have not been answered through their FAQ or the guide questions (which are usually found in the job packet or their general hiring page about section), raise these at the conclusion of the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer
"How do I become the best person for the jobif given the chance to be part of the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on currently"
"What are the chances to advance and further education?"
Know your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are generally advertised with the job (or in a variety, when applying via SEEK). But, interviewers might ask you how much you are expecting. The most important thing to do is provide a range in which you would like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact, fixed amount. Try to keep your limits to a certain extent instead of allowing a a wide margin. For instance, if you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of other benefits and perks in addition to these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital to equip yourself with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, self-assured, and be bold.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for interview preparation, contact Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants can help you with your interview preparation phases. Contact us today to receive your free quotation or to call us directly to speak to one of our experts on 0800 215 100.
