Interviews are integral to skilled migration; however, knowing what to expect when being interviewed abroad can be daunting.
Prepare well for your Australian interview by following these key strategies. 1. Arrive punctually and remain positive.
1. Research the company
Interviewers ask challenging questions to feel confident during interviews and demonstrate your interest in the role and the company. A great way to prepare is by reviewing an employer’s job description or researching them online; this will allow you to align yourself with their values, culture, and requirements for this position.
Researching a company will also prepare you to respond effectively when answering any personal questions that might come up during an interview, like why you want to work there and highlight its unique offerings. Furthermore, researching allows you to spot potential red flags, such as whether other employees or customers have had negative experiences with them.
Interviewers will most likely ask about your prior experiences, so preparing some specific examples is helpful. Be wary about criticizing any former employers in any negative light; when prepping answers, include any reasons for leaving, such as an unreasonable manager or policies, in your responses.
If you struggle to answer specific questions during an interview, practicing with friends or family before may help ensure natural, well-thought-out responses. Furthermore, make sure you write down and bring questions before attending to eliminate any last-minute scrambling for preparations while keeping your focus on what needs to be accomplished during an interview.
2. Prepare a few questions
An interviewer will often pose this question to gauge your motivations for wanting the job in their company and to understand your level of interest in working there.
To effectively answer this question, highlight your key strengths, how they align with the company’s needs, and how you could add value. Also, be prepared to explain gaps in your professional experience; honesty about weaknesses is a sign of character.
An often-asked interview question is, “Can you provide me with an example of when you overcame a work challenge?” Here, the interviewer wants to assess your ability to handle pressure and display problem-solving capabilities. When responding, use the STAR method (Situation Task Action Result). Pay particular attention when answering this question with experiences that directly impacted career success.
Keep your answers brief and don’t dwell on negative aspects of previous roles – this could come across as defensive and put off your interviewer. Also, avoid asking about pay and benefits, which can easily be found online and could come off rude. Finally, show some personality by including some fun or icebreaker questions; this will set you apart from the competition!
3. Be on time
Assuming you have been invited for an interview, your emotions likely range from excitement to nerves. No matter your situation, preparation for an interview can help set yourself up for success – this might involve breathing exercises, listening to a favorite song, or talking with a trusted colleague beforehand.
Be sure to calculate how long it will take you to travel to your interview location and account for any delays that might arise since being late can be seen as disrespecting their time. If driving there, ensure you have plenty of fuel in the tank and add additional time for traffic or public transport delays.
Maintaining eye contact is vital to creating rapport with an interviewer and showing that you are engaged with what they are discussing. Maintaining eye contact also signals confidence, increasing your chances of being chosen for an interview position. However, avoid looking away too frequently from them, which could signify nervousness or shyness.
Interviewers appreciate concise and specific answers; this shows them you have taken the time and thought through their responses, giving them confidence that they should hire you. Listen carefully when answering each question posed to you; do not stray from their intent.
Once an interview is over, you should send a polite email thanking those interviewing and reinforcing your interest in the role. This will keep your name at the forefront of their mind – potentially even leading them down a path that leads them directly into employment!
4. Make eye contact
Eye contact in interviews is important because it demonstrates your engagement and interest in what the interviewer says while signaling confidence. But it should never become intrusive – too long a gaze can come across as creepy or intimidating; briefly looking away to consider an answer or take notes is OK; just be sure that strong eye contact resumes shortly after that.
Some individuals struggle to maintain eye contact during interviews due to being nervous or shy, which is understandable but essential to practice before. Either with friends or looking in the mirror can help you get comfortable with this process; additionally, bring a notebook and pen so that taking notes gives you an excuse for periodic breaks from maintaining eye contact during an interview.
As well as making eye contact, it is also crucial that you actively listen to your interviewer. Without careful listening skills, they won’t understand whether you are interested in or suitable for the position.
As part of an interview, it’s also essential that any sudden movements or gestures be avoided. When answering a question about hobbies or interests, for example, briefly looking away may help when trying to formulate an answer, though too long could appear that you are lying. When being interviewed by multiple individuals, attention must be divided evenly so everyone feels engaged in the dialogue.
5. Be confident
Interviewing can be nerve-wracking. To reduce nervousness and increase chances of success, prepare in advance.
Be sure to do your research on the company you’re interviewing with before attending their appointment, whether that be their website, social media pages, or anything else available – researching will give you a deeper understanding of their organization as well as give you ideas for questions to ask their interviewer.
Familiarise yourself with the job description. This will give you an idea of what the employer is searching for in an ideal candidate, enabling you to align your skillsets accordingly. Also, take time to reflect upon your strengths and weaknesses, as your interviewer may pose questions on these areas. Avoid placing blame for weaknesses; instead, highlight ways they’re being improved by working on yourself to strengthen them further.
Keep a confident demeanor, even if you feel nervous; this will reduce stress and leave an excellent first impression on your interviewer.
Stay relaxed during an interview by smiling frequently and speaking clearly and calmly. If you need assistance staying calm, take some deep breaths or take a short walk before your interview begins. To reduce stress levels and boost confidence as you enter the interview room.