Strategies for Interview Success
Perhaps the most frightening aspect of job hunts is the daunting interview process. Fear of being interviewed is a natural consequence of seeking approval and validation from others, especially from your prospective employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may seem natural to certain people however, many are nervous about being asked about their career or past achievements. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort that comes with being asked to answer personal questions, the interview has become one of the most nerve-wracking parts that are required to hire.
This doesn’t need to be the situation.
Interviews are a great way for the applicant to prove their capabilities have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. It’s been a while since you’ve made it through the first step and your resume has made the cut through ATS scanners and your name being selected for an interview. This chance to present and further elaborate on your resume, experience as well as key abilities and abilities is the proverbial foot in the door: if you convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate, it boosts your chances to be selected for the next stage of the final selection process.
Luckily, you can prepare for interview questions if you’re struggling with fears about speaking about your achievements. Practice is key and, fortunately, interview questions can be rehearsed before the date. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can use to increase your chances at nailing that interview and impressing your future employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, mostly because they are trying to elicit information as well as since they want to help you come out of potentially contentious topics and issues. Take for example the question "Why are you resigning from your current position?"
The answer to the question could be due to management issues, or concerns with work-life balance, etc. Whatever the reason however, the manner the way you frame your answer will show your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your reasoning with as much objectivity as feasible. This means that you should eliminate all emotional responses, like responses that are based solely on feelings or emotions that are not supported by factual evidence.
Other questions to be prepared for are "What inspired you to apply for this role?", "Why should us choose to hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions such as "Why should be able to not employ 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. Introduce your idea and follow with a brief argument or explanation of the reason you reacted in a particular manner. Add details or go into more detail. Once you’ve explained everything thoroughly, go back to your previous point.
If you’re asked to describe your involvement in a task or project it is possible to apply to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond to selection criteria. When using STAR, you must state a situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the Result.
It’s all in the body language
Behaving naturally in a stressful situation could be a tall order However, you can make sure you are practicing professional communication. You can sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions of you and note your mannerisms. Are you moving or fidgeting around with a nervousness? Are you looking stiff, standoffish, defensive or aloof in your body or speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect your message you’re trying to convey? Do you display openness, sincerity and genuine concern?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses
Prior to the interview, make sure you read the job description again. In the event that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities described within to customize and modify your resume and other document of selection It is imperative to think about the job description and how you will package yourself for the interviewer. Be honest and upfront concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being realistic about your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your strengths as a potential customer. However, signalling your intent to address your weaknesses will also be notable.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is showing genuine interest in the role and in the business. The best person to inquire is the interviewer. If you noticed something interesting in the job description, or if you’ve got any questions not answered by their FAQ page or guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or the general page for hiring about section), raise these after the interview, when your interviewer encourages you to ask questions. A few questions that you can ask your employer:
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the job, if I am offered the chance to be part of the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on right now"
"What are the possibilities to advance and further education?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
The salary package and other benefits are generally advertised with the job (or as part of a range, if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still be interested in knowing what you’re expecting to earn. The most important thing to do is include a range that you’d like your earnings to fall instead of offering an exact or fixed 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 choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Consider additional perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you consider your salary expectations.
Inputting these steps into your bag is vital for ensuring you are in confidence to answer the toughest questions. Be confident, self-assured and be courageous.
If you need assistance with documents related to recruitment or credentials as well as the preparation for your interview, contact Perth Resume. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable consultants are able to help you through your preparatory steps. Contact us now for an free quotation or call us direct for a chat with one of our experts on 0800 215 100.
