INTERVIEWS SEBASTIAN BEJARANO FONSECA COOTRADIAN

What is a telephone interview? A telephone interview is a pre-scheduled interview that takes place between a recruiter and a candidate who has applied for a job role that takes place over the telephone. Telephone interviews are usually fairly straightforward and are mainly used to screen poor candidates out of an interview process, rather than to test high quality ones. Often, all recruiters will be looking for from candidates during a telephone interview will be a calm, confident telephone manner and an intelligent set of responses to interview questions.

Prepare for a Telephone Interview Although a telephone interview is relatively straightforward, even highly capable candidates can be rejected at this early interview stage if they are inadequately prepared or not used to speaking in a professional manner over the phone.

How to Have a Successful Interview Pre-Interview Clarify the details: Since you may not be in the same time zone as the interviewer (a common reason for phone interviews), be sure to clarify the time of the interview in both your time zone and the other, and confirm who is calling whom. Use notes to your advantage: The best part about a phone interview is that you can have your notes in front of you. So have a copy of your resume, extensive bullet points about the experiences or skills you want to mention, and full list of questions written out ahead of time for use during the interview. You have the gift of invisibility-use it to your advantage! Dress the part: This is more of a mental tactic than anything else. Looking nice puts you in the right mindset to be professional. Make sure all systems are go: Make sure you are in a quiet place with a charged phone and a glass of water. Call your mom or a friend beforehand from the room where you plan to have the interview, making sure they can hear you with no distractions. Also, keep your phone charger handy, just in case the interview is going so well that your charge starts to run down. Keep the end game in mind: Before phone and in-person interviews, I like to use this trick: Think of three characteristics you would like to portray during the interview Write those three attributes at the top of your notes, and as you glance down at them during the interview, you'll have a great reminder of how you want to present yourself.

During the Interview Don't answer questions right away: Since you can't see the body language of the interviewer, wait a half-second before starting to answer any question. Sometimes, people ask questions and then keep talking, and if both you and the interviewer begin speaking at the same time, it can be awkward to figure out who should keep going. Slow down: Speak slowly at all times, even a tad slower than you speak in real life. Phones can intensify the pace of your words. Use your hands: It's okay to gesture while talking, even if no one can see you. Gesturing will make the call feel more like a regular conversation, which will normalize the situation and help to calm your nerves.

Post-Interview Say thanks: Follow up with a thank you, just like you would in a face-to-face interview. And I also think it's nice, if an assistant set up the call, to send a quick note thanking him or her for helping facilitate the interview.

What is a group interview? A group interview takes place when a candidate is interviewed by more than one interviewer at the same time. Alternately, it can mean that a group of candidates are interviewed at the same time by a hiring manger.

Types of grupal interviews The first type of group interview is when each job applicant is interviewed by multiple interviewers. The group (or panel) of interviewers typically includes a Human Resources representative, the manager, and possibly co-workers from the department where the applicant would be working, if hired. The other type of group interview is when a group of applicants for the same position are interviewed together, by the hiring manager. In this scenario, you and other candidates would be interviewed together, in group.

Why Companies Use Group Interviews An increasing number of companies are using group interviews to screen job applicants. This change could be attributed to the desire to reduce turnover and the fact that teamwork is becoming more critical in the workplace, but the easiest way to explain it is that two heads are almost always better than one. When there is more than one person doing the interviewing, the chances of a bad hiring decision being made are reduced.

What Group Interviewers Look For Your Appearance. Attire, hygiene, and anything else that relates to your physical form will be judged. If you wear too much make-up or cologne, at least one of the interviewers will notice. If you forgot to put on deodorant or match your socks, at least one of the interviewers will notice. Your Presentation Skills. Interviewers will be paying special attention to how you present yourself. Do you slouch or fidget? Do you make eye contact when you converse? Did you remember to shake hands with everyone in the room? Your Comunication Skills. No matter what type of job you are applying for, you will need to be able to communicate. Specifil Skills that group interviewers look for is your ability to listen, follow instructions and get your ideas across. Your Interest Level. From the time the interview starts until it ends, interviewers will be trying to assess how interested you are in the job you are applying for. If you seem bored and unengaged during the interview, you will probably be passed by for someone else.

Tips to Help You Ace Your Group Interview Greet all of your interviewers individually. Make eye contact, say hello, and if possible shake hands. Don't focus on any one individual. You should make an effort to engage everyone in the group when you are asking or answering questions. Don't show surprise or annoyance when faced with a group interview. Prepare for the group interview by making a list of questions that you may be asked and practicing how you might answer them. If you are interviewed with other candidates it is better to lead than to follow. Interviewers may not remember you if you blend into the background. Skills you will be expected to demonstrate during group interview exercises include leadership skills, your ability to handle stress and pressure, teamwork skills and how well you take and give criticism. Be sure to keep this in mind when you complete the exercises. Thank everyone who interviewed you and remember names and titles so that you can send a written than you note afterwards.

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