Strategies for Interview Success
A major and intimidating aspects of the job search is the interview stage. Fear of being interviewed is a natural result of wanting approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. While expressing themselves in a positive manner may be natural for some However, some are uncomfortable being asked questions about their work or prior accomplishments. Perhaps it is because of modesty or the fear of being asked questions about their personal life, the interview has become among the more nerve-wracking parts that are required to hire.
This doesn’t need to be the scenario.
Interviews are the best means for the candidate to prove their capabilities are, their achievements, and potential. You have already been through the first step with your resume passing it through ATS scanners and your name being considered for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate upon your profile, work history as well as key abilities and abilities is the proverbial way to get noticed: if you convince the interviewer that you’re qualified, it boosts your chances to be selected for to the next step in the selection process.
It is a good idea to prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing doubts about speaking about your achievements. Practice is key and luckily, interview questions can be rehearsed ahead of time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can apply to boost your chances at nailing that interview and impressing future employers:
Get comfortable around tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partially because they wish to get information from you, but also, since they want to help how you can get rid of potential contentious issues and worries. Consider for instance the question "Why are you leaving your current position?"
The answer to this question could be due to management issues, or concerns about work-life balance. Whatever the reason, however, the manner that you express your answer will show your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your responses with the greatest objectivity is possible. This means eliminating any emotional responses , such as responses that are based solely on sentiments or feelings, and are not substantiated by factual evidence.
Other questions to be prepared for are "What did you do to get this job?", "Why should be hiring your services?", or trick questions such as "Why do us not hire you?" The key is to not lose composure and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and then provide a concise argument or explanation of why you responded a certain way. Add details or go into more detail. Once you’ve thoroughly explained the topic, return to your previous point.
Similarly, if you are requested to provide a description of your participation in a project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could use this method. STAR Method, which is typically used to respond to selection criteria. In using STAR the first thing you need to do is write the context,followed by a Task,then a description of the actionstaken then the Result.
All it is in the body language
Acting naturally in a stressful situation could be a challenge however, you can practice professional communication. Sit in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask you questions and observe your body language. Are you shifting or fidgeting around in a tense manner? Are you looking uneasy, aggressive, or closed off in your body expression? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match the point you are trying to convey? Do you convey openness, sincerity and genuine concern?
Think about your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before you go to the interview, you should read the job description over again. In the event that you’ve read the description and used the roles and responsibilities described in the description to make changes to 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 on your strength and weakness. Being truthful about your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your strengths as a potential client. However, signalling your intent to address your weak points will be equally relevant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the role and in the company. The best person to approach for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you noticed something interesting in the job description or if you have any questions that have not been answered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or their general hiring page about section), raise these after the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer are:
"How can I be the most suitable person for the job, if I am given the opportunity to work with you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline in the present"
"What are the opportunities for advancement and further training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are usually advertised alongside the job (or in a variety, for those applying through SEEK). However, interviewers could want to know what salary you are expecting. A good tip is to provide a range in which you’d like your salary to be, rather than providing an exact or fixed number. Be sure to keep the limit to a narrow range instead of providing an expansive margin. For example, if you are expecting to earn $75,000 per year, a good range would be in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of additional perks and benefits in addition to these when you are evaluating your salary expectations.
Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital to be prepared with the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, be self-assured and bold.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can help you with your interview preparation phases. Contact us today to receive an free quote or phone us directly to speak with one our consultants on 1300 202 475.
