Telephone Interviews

1. Telephone Interviews Telephone interviews are a popular way for some employers to reduce the number of face to face interviews that they have for a vacancy. It is important to be prepared for a telephone interview at a moment's notice. You never know when a recruiter may call and ask if you have a few moments to talk. However, if they call at a time that isn’t convenient, it is perfectly fine to tell the recruiter that now isn’t a good time to speak, and arrange for a suitable time for them to call back. It is easy to feel like you should automatically say yes – but you could end up doing yourself a disservice – particularly if you aren’t somewhere quiet or don’t have a CV or any notes in front of you. When you are on the call, expect the same sort of questions that you'd have at any normal interview, mostly based on the job description and the reasons why it appeals to you. • Top Tips • Make sure that the telephone number that you put on your CV or application form is the right one. If you won’t have credit on your mobile to listen to a voicemail, then consider putting a land line number down as well • Do some background research on the company and the job beforehand • Practise speaking on the phone to a friend or someone you know to make sure you are clear and sound enthusiastic • Be pleasant to everyone you speak to at the company, not just the interviewer • Try not to talk too quickly, even though time is limited • Keep examples of things you have done succinct and clear. If you want to give more detail, check with the interviewer e.g. "I can go into more depth about that if you wish" • Don't make lots of notes and have them scattered around. There won’t be time to search for answers during the interview • Be prepared with bullet pointed note cards, make reference to obvious questions and also to key facts you wish to make about yourself • Some candidates like to look smart even though they can't be seen. Looking reasonably smart rather than wearing shorts and t-shirt might put you in a better frame of mind • You may want to sit behind a desk or stand, rather than slumping on the settee • Choose a quiet location where you are unlikely to be interrupted

2. Telephone Interviews

3. Assessment Centres & Group Interviews • Assessment centres • An assessment centre is most likely to be a series of tasks and activities that are structured around a one-, two- or three-day period to assess your suitability for a job. • You might well be faced with: • Interviews • In-tray exercises • Presentations • Tests • Group exercises • Social events such as dinner or lunch with prospective colleagues • Top Tips • Ensure you have all documentation, notes and resources you might need with you - organised clearly • Read the job specification and person specification, think about the job competencies required and consider what the assessors might be looking for • Identify your knowledge, skills, interests, experiences, strengths and weaknesses. Then match them to the job competencies • Don’t think about what the other candidates are doing, put your own skills, qualities and attributes into action during the interview • Maintain a friendly and positive manner and remember you are being assessed even in 'informal' situations

4. Assessment Centres & Group Exercises • Group Exercises • Before any tasks begin, it is likely that there will be an icebreaker – you might be asked to provide some sort of introduction for yourself, or possibly some sort of introduction for someone else in the group. Make sure you prepare your answer beforehand. Your intro doesn’t need to be long, provided it is on point and engaging • Your body language can make all the difference. Try to appear attentive and alert, showing your interviewers that you are interested and listening to what they and the other in the group have to say • Be inclusive during the tasks. A very important aspect of leadership is the ability to include others thoughts and views as well as your own – after all, most work involves team work!