Optimizing Your Interview Preparation

The most difficult aspects of job hunting is the daunting interview process. The fear of an interview is a natural consequence of seeking acceptance and approval from others, especially from your prospective employers. While speaking about themselves may come naturally to some people however, many are nervous about being asked about their career or past successes. Perhaps out of modesty and the discomfort that comes with being asked questions that are personal to them, the interview has become one of the most stressful parts that are required to hire.

This does not have to be the scenario.

Interviews are an important means for the candidate to prove their capabilities have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve already made it through the first step, with your resume making an appearance on ATS scanners, and your name being considered for an interview. The chance to show and elaborate further on the profile of your employer, background as well as key abilities and abilities is the proverbial way to get noticed: if you convince the interviewer you’re qualified, it boosts your chances of getting through to the next step in the selection process.

It is a good idea to prepare for interviews even if you’re having doubts about speaking about your own achievements. The practice is essential, and fortunately, interview questions can be practiced prior to the time. The key to flawless interviews is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can apply to boost your chances of getting through that interview and impressing your prospective employers:

Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.

Interviewers pose challenging questions partially because they wish to elicit information as well as since they want 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 could be due to management concerns, or issues with work-life balance, etc. Whatever the reason but the way that you express your response will signal your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your response with the greatest objectivity is possible. This means that you should eliminate all emotional responses, like answers that are based purely on emotions or feelings and are not substantiated by factual evidence.

Other questions to consider are "What made you apply for this role?", "Why should be hiring the person we chose to hire?", or trick questions like "Why should be able to not hire 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 argument or explanation of the reasons you responded in a certain way. Next, provide examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained the topic, return to the point you made earlier.

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 apply the STAR Method, which is also usually used in responding the selection requirements. If you are using STAR the first thing you need to do is write the context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken followed by the results.

It’s all in the body language

Acting naturally in a difficult situation can be a challenge However, you can practice professional communication. Place yourself in front of a mirror or ask a trusted person to ask you questions and observe your body language. Are you flitting or shifting around with a nervousness? Do you look intimidating, stiff, defensive or shut off in your body language? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect what you want to make? Do you show genuineness, honesty and genuine enthusiasm?

Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.

Prior to your interview, ensure that you go over the job description once more. Assuming that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and responsibilities listed within to customize and modify your resume and other documents for selection It is crucial to consider the job description to honestly package yourself for the interviewer. Be upfront and honest concerning your abilities and shortcomings. Being honest regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your selling points as a prospect. But, indicating your intention to work on your weaknesses will also be relevant.

Prepare questions

Another crucial aspect of an interview is showing genuine enthusiasm about the job and the business. The best person to ask is the interviewer. If you have noticed something intriguing within the description of your job, or you have concerns that weren’t answered through their FAQ or guide questions (which typically are found in the job packet or their general hiring page about section) Make sure to bring them up during the interview, after your interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer:

"How do I become the best person for the job, should I be given the chance to join your team?"

"Does the company have any major projects underway at the moment"

"What are the potential opportunities for further development and training?"

Know your salary expectations

Benefits and salary packages are often advertised with the job (or as part of a range, when applying via SEEK). However, the interviewer may ask you how much you expect to earn. An important point to remember is to provide a range in which you’d like your salary to be based instead of giving an exact number or a set amount. Try to keep your limit to a narrow range instead of providing an expansive margin. For instance, if you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a sensible range would be anywhere in the $73,000 to $80,000 or anywhere within the $10,000 range. Also, be aware of other perks and benefits also and take these into consideration when you are evaluating your salary expectations.

Having these preparatory steps in your bag is vital for ensuring you are in capability to handle the toughest questions. Be confident, feel confident and courageous.

For help with the recruitment process, documents or credentials as well as 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 a complimentary quote or contact us directly to speak with one our consultants at 1300 192 621.

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