Strategies for Interview Success
One of the most frightening aspect of job hunts is the dreaded interview round. Interview fear is a natural consequence of seeking acceptance and approval from others, especially from your prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may be natural for some but others feel nervous about being asked questions regarding their professional or previous accomplishments. Perhaps out of modesty and the fear of being asked to answer personal questions, the interview has become among the more intimidating parts that are required to hire.
This doesn’t need to be the case.
Interviews are an important way for the applicant to show that their competencies have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve completed the initial step by submitting your resume to its way through ATS scanners and your name getting a callback. This chance to present and elaborate on your profile, work history, and key skills and abilities is the proverbial entrance into the interview: if you convince the interviewer that you’re qualified this increases your chances of passing the next step of the selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews in case you’re experiencing apprehensions about talking about your personal achievements. The practice is essential, and fortunately, interview questions can be practiced before the date. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some tips that you can use to increase your chances of aceing that interview and impressing your prospective employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions.
Interviewers ask challenging questions, mostly because they are trying to gain information however, also in order to help how you can get rid of potentially contentious questions and issues. Take for example the question "Why are you leaving your current position?"
The answer to the question may be because of management concerns, or issues about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer but the way that you formulate your answer will demonstrate your ability to be an objective and fair observer. Give a clear and honest explanation of your responses with the greatest objectivity can be. This means eliminating any emotional responses , such as responses based on feelings or sentiments that are not supported by actual facts.
Other important questions to ask are "What motivated you to apply for this job?", "Why should we hire the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions like "Why should us not employ you?" The key is not to lose your cool and arrange your thoughts with care.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Lead with your point and then provide a concise explanation or a brief summary of why you chose to respond in a specific manner. Next, provide examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained the topic, return to your previous point.
In the same way, if you’re asked to describe your involvement in a task or project, you may use to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is commonly used to respond to selection criteria. If you are using STAR the first thing you need to do is write an Situation,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the Result.
All it is in the body language
Acting naturally in a difficult situation can be a daunting task however, you can practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask you questions and note your mannerisms. Are you fidgeting or shifting around with a nervousness? Do you seem rigid, aloof, defensive or reserved in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions match your message you’re trying to convey? Do you communicate openness, sincerity and genuine enthusiasm?
Consider your strengths and your weaknesses.
Prior to your interview, be sure to go over the job description again. In the event that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and duties listed in the description to make changes to your resume as well as other selection documents It is imperative to review the job description and how you will package yourself for the interviewer. Be honest and upfront about your strengths and weaknesses. Being truthful about your strengths will allow interviewers to recognize your strengths as a prospect. However, signalling your intent to work on your weaknesses will be just as important.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is showing genuine enthusiasm in the role and in the business. The most appropriate person to ask for questions during the interview is the one you interview. If you’ve seen something that’s interesting on the resume or if you have questions that were left unanswered on their FAQ page or the guide questions (which typically are found in the job application or their general hiring page about section), raise these at the conclusion of the interview, when your interviewer asks you to pose questions. The most interesting questions you could ask your employer:
"How do I become an ideal candidate for the job, if I am given the opportunity to be part of the team?"
"Does the company has any major projects going on at the moment"
"What are the chances for further development and training?"
Know your salary expectations
Other benefits and packages for salary are generally advertised with the position (or on a list when applying via SEEK). However, the interviewer may want to know what salary you expect to earn. An important point to remember is to include a range that you would like your salary to fall rather than giving an exact, fixed amount. Make sure to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing an expansive margin. For example, if you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a sensible range would be in the $73,000-$80,000 range or anywhere within the $10,000-$10,000 range. Also, be aware of other benefits and perks in addition to these when you think about your salary expectations.
Inputting these steps into your pocket is crucial to ensure you have the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our friendly and highly trained consultants can help you through your preparatory phases. Contact us now for the free quotation or contact us directly to speak with one of our consultants on 1300 202 475.
