There is nothing quite as nerve-racking and daunting as job interviews – no matter how many times you’ve done them. It’s not easy for everyone to stay calm and collected, upbeat and enthusiastic during nerve-racking moments like those.
It takes a lot of practice and breathing exercises to get to the point where job interviews aren’t as stressful. There are also some tips and tricks that can help you get ready for the interview and land any professional job in Australia you want. So, without further ado, here are those helpful tips.
1. Do your research
Our first tip has to do with researching the job position, the company, and the person who’ll be interviewing you. This tip is paramount and it should never under any circumstances be skipped. Why? Because by knowing about the company and the job position, you’re showing them your interest and knowledge.
Find all the information you can about your employer or the company, things such as their origins, history, values, mission, and so on. You’ll be able to find all the information online. As for the position you’ll be applying for, discover what your role would be, your responsibility and duties, and similar information.
When it comes to the person interviewing you, it’s also important that you know their name, and use it during the interview. Additionally, try to make a personal connection with them, as well. This will help you get the job you want.
And if you’re working with a professional recruitment agency in Sydney, make sure you hire a reputable agency and that you get to know your recruiter.
2. Practice presenting yourself
Not everyone is good at talking about themselves but practice makes perfect. The more job interviews you go to, the better you’ll get at talking about yourself, and you’ll even get more confident.
You can also practise at home. When rehearsing and practising, make sure you’re relaxed and have someone ask you questions. If you need to, write down the questions and your answers. This is especially important for people who rarely talk about themselves.
3. Know your resume
Writing a CV is not the end of your job. You also need to know how to explain your CV in detail. The ideal would be to present your professional story in three minutes usually around the time they ask you general questions.
Your resume, education, and all your experiences provide you with a great real-life context. So, learn how to effectively use it during the interview.
4. Brush up on interview skills and non-verbal communication
In addition to knowing your resume and being well-acquainted with the company where you want to land the job, you should also brush up on your interview skills and non-verbal communication.
The point of the job interview is for the interviewer to see how good of a listener are you, whether or not you can do small talk, and if you have empathy. This is all very important because it will determine whether or not you can fit into the company’s culture.
Body language and non-verbal communication are also highly important during job interviews, and that’s why you should mind them as well. Mind your posture, stance, handshake, eye contact, and how you introduce yourself. First impressions are crucial.
How you sit and where you hold your hands can also play a significant role, so be mindful of those things as well.
5. Prepare ahead of time
But that’s not all. You also need to present yourself in the best possible light – meaning how you dress and how you look. It may seem like choosing outfits for job interviews is a nightmare, but it’s really not – it’s quite simple.
For most interviews, the dress code is professional, which means a suit jacket, white button-down, and slacks are appropriate. Regardless of the company’s culture and dress code, you should always look professional for your first interview.
But putting on a professional outfit is only half of the job done, you should also look good. A haircut or a hairdo, clean and manicured nails, ironed clothing, and beards trimmed. The interviewers are likely to take in the whole picture, not just your outfit.
6. Get there at the right time
Never, ever, under any circumstances be late for a job interview. Not only is this terrible manners but also a very unprofessional move. And you want to put your best foot forward the first time around not the opposite.
That’s why you should plan your route and transportation at least a day before the interview. Decide which form of transportation you’re going to be using – a car, bike, bus, or something else.
Then plan accordingly – if you’re driving, you need to know where to find parking. If you are going by bus, which bus will get you to the wanted location, buy the tickets in advance and check to see if there will be any delays, and so on.
In addition to all these tips, you also need to be confident. Your body language and how you express yourself, tell a lot about your confidence – so work on those the most. And don’t disregard the practice and research either.
