Telephone interview - preparation help/methods!
Discussion
So, in regards to this -
http://pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&f...
I made the cut! So I have a telephone interview on Monday Morning, something I've never done before.
I have been sent a more detailed description of what the role entails. I am led to believe the interview is about competency - and I will be expected to answer, in specifics, how I have dealt with a variety of situations.
I'm thinking that some 'crib sheets' stuck all over the wall in front of me is the way to go, nothing too lengthy but some pointers.
The role is a technical, field based, sometimes customer facing role for a Utilities company, under the spectrum of 'Asset Management'. Monitoring, and dealing with the performance of its network, reporting on it, and making it better.
So what I'm expecting is along the lines of sitations including things such as -
- Working in a team/dealing with others/clashes/differences of opinion
- Dealing with public/customer problems/irate people
- Dealing with H&S issues
- Prioritising work/problems that need solving
- Managing risk/cost/value of solutions I come up with
Can anyone think of some of the other typical things I might be asked?
Any other hints for telephone interviews? Can anybody in recruitment who does these give me some pointers?
I'm actually really excited about this job, more so than anything I've ever done, so I really want to make a good impression!
http://pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&f...
I made the cut! So I have a telephone interview on Monday Morning, something I've never done before.
I have been sent a more detailed description of what the role entails. I am led to believe the interview is about competency - and I will be expected to answer, in specifics, how I have dealt with a variety of situations.
I'm thinking that some 'crib sheets' stuck all over the wall in front of me is the way to go, nothing too lengthy but some pointers.
The role is a technical, field based, sometimes customer facing role for a Utilities company, under the spectrum of 'Asset Management'. Monitoring, and dealing with the performance of its network, reporting on it, and making it better.
So what I'm expecting is along the lines of sitations including things such as -
- Working in a team/dealing with others/clashes/differences of opinion
- Dealing with public/customer problems/irate people
- Dealing with H&S issues
- Prioritising work/problems that need solving
- Managing risk/cost/value of solutions I come up with
Can anyone think of some of the other typical things I might be asked?
Any other hints for telephone interviews? Can anybody in recruitment who does these give me some pointers?
I'm actually really excited about this job, more so than anything I've ever done, so I really want to make a good impression!
I had a bunch of notes easy to hand to look at.
Another tip I was given that I used was at the end to ask them if there were any questions they felt you hadn't adequately answered, lets you make sure they think they have got a proper answer from you for everything. My interviewer felt one of my answers would be better with more detail so I was able to add to it before the end of the inteview. Who knows what difference it made but I was put through to the assessment centre.
Another tip I was given that I used was at the end to ask them if there were any questions they felt you hadn't adequately answered, lets you make sure they think they have got a proper answer from you for everything. My interviewer felt one of my answers would be better with more detail so I was able to add to it before the end of the inteview. Who knows what difference it made but I was put through to the assessment centre.
snotrag said:
xr287 said:
ask them if there were any questions they felt you hadn't adequately answered
Brilliant 
That is the kind of thing I'm looking for...You really need to convey this: (and also why you are really after this job)
You can't get an enormous amount out of telephone interviews (IMHO I wouldn't hire on the basis of one), you would use them to dismiss people who were crap, can't talk on the phone, haven't bothered to do any research on the company.
No research on the company or job is a big no no at this stage. Also it may be a good idea to ask (politely) a little about the interviewer before you begin.
If they are the manager/functional person then you want to up the detail and show what experience you have, if they are HR (or worse external HR) don't bore them with details and concentrate on why you would like to do the job and what competencies you have.
Crib sheet pinned to wall is good.
Sanity check on pre-answered questions is good.
Ensure you have some good questions of your own when invited to take the floor towards end of process.
Do not make it obvious that you are rustling papers
No tea/coffee or food.
Googling answers will be obvious.
It may sound crazy but dress properly.
Avoid interruptions/distraction or background noise.
Ensure phone adequately charged.
Above all remember that your voice is clear and heard but also recognise that enthusiasm will be conveyed in timbre and tone.
Good luck
Sanity check on pre-answered questions is good.
Ensure you have some good questions of your own when invited to take the floor towards end of process.
Do not make it obvious that you are rustling papers
No tea/coffee or food.
Googling answers will be obvious.
It may sound crazy but dress properly.
Avoid interruptions/distraction or background noise.
Ensure phone adequately charged.
Above all remember that your voice is clear and heard but also recognise that enthusiasm will be conveyed in timbre and tone.
Good luck
Send a letter by paper thanking them for the interview, saying how much you want the job and why to the firm doing the recruiting. Firms rarely bin such letters as they (rightly) consider that a candidate who writes them is more motivated and is worth a second look.
By sending paper rather than email, the recruiter has to get out their recruitment file. Usually in so doing, they either put the letter on the top of the pile loosely, or else find your CV and staple or paperclip it to the CV, putting it on the top of the rest of the pile. Often they will also re-read the CV at the same time.
As such your CV or letter is the first thing the recruiter reads when opening the file again, and is first up for consideration, and is more likely to be read thoroughly as opposed to those at the bottom of the stack, together with a good reason why you are a good chap who wants to work for that firm.
If you work in sales or senior management I'd be happy to help further and indeed may have a vacancy for you.
By sending paper rather than email, the recruiter has to get out their recruitment file. Usually in so doing, they either put the letter on the top of the pile loosely, or else find your CV and staple or paperclip it to the CV, putting it on the top of the rest of the pile. Often they will also re-read the CV at the same time.
As such your CV or letter is the first thing the recruiter reads when opening the file again, and is first up for consideration, and is more likely to be read thoroughly as opposed to those at the bottom of the stack, together with a good reason why you are a good chap who wants to work for that firm.
If you work in sales or senior management I'd be happy to help further and indeed may have a vacancy for you.
Just done it - thanks for the advise guys, very helpful.
It was a HR person so the questions were quite broad - typical 'Tell me about a time when... ' type stuff.
Rather unlike me to be nervous, but I was a little this morning, although the lady was really helpful.
I also managed to go back and re-cover an area where she thought I'd missed a little, and she gave me some advice on something specific I should be researching as I'll be asked it again if I get through - which hopefully means at least she hadn't sub-consciously written me off, at least!
I found some interesting things out about the company and the job... decision expected quickly too, today or tomorrow... with proper interviews in the next week, so all very quick! fingers crossed. Many thanks for the help, there were some things I managed to do which I think were definitely positive, that I probably wouldn't have though of without your help - the power of PH strikes again!
It was a HR person so the questions were quite broad - typical 'Tell me about a time when... ' type stuff.
Rather unlike me to be nervous, but I was a little this morning, although the lady was really helpful.
I also managed to go back and re-cover an area where she thought I'd missed a little, and she gave me some advice on something specific I should be researching as I'll be asked it again if I get through - which hopefully means at least she hadn't sub-consciously written me off, at least!
I found some interesting things out about the company and the job... decision expected quickly too, today or tomorrow... with proper interviews in the next week, so all very quick! fingers crossed. Many thanks for the help, there were some things I managed to do which I think were definitely positive, that I probably wouldn't have though of without your help - the power of PH strikes again!
Edited by snotrag on Monday 10th October 10:31
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