Tips for your career
Non-traditional types of interviews
Phone interview
HR specialists use this type of interview more and more often for the following reasons:
- In case of a large number of applicants;
- When answering or making phone calls represents an important part of the work in the given position;
- To verify your CV and/or to get additional information;
- In case of limited time for organizing the first round of interviews;
- When an applicant would have to travel a very long distance for his/her interview.
You should not be afraid of a phone interview, but you should not underestimate preparation. It is especially important in such situations when the interview is not arranged for a definite time, but, for example, by the phrase: “We will call you during the day.”
If the phone interview would not come at a suitable time, do not hesitate to ask whether you can call back or arrange it for some other time. Your request will definitely be met.
Preparation
The initial preparation for a phone interview is no different from the preparation for a standard one. Please read the sections Preparing for an interview and How to behave during an interview again.
Have your CV and a pen at hand. Prepare short comments on everything you want to talk about and point out. Write down all your questions.
Phone interview
The phone interview has its pluses and minuses. The person who is talking to you cannot see your non-verbal communication (your smile, facial expressions). The only communication tool you can use is your voice. Therefore:
- Do not be impetuous. Speak slowly and use pauses. The interviewer will thus have a chance to make notes.
- Think about a suitable introduction when receiving a phone call. You will hardly convince anyone about the high level of your communication skills after picking up the phone and saying: “What’s up?”
- Should you have problems with bad connection, feel free to say that and to suggest that you will call back later.
- Do not read prepared information from a sheet of paper. It is easy to recognize from your voice. Also, your smile influences your voice.
It is very helpful for many people to stand during a phone call because their voice sounds more professional and more confident.
Assessment Centre
Some employers use a special diagnostic method, the so-called Assessment Centre (AC), for the selection of suitable candidates.
This method enables an assessment team to evaluate more candidates according to various criteria during a longer time period. The members of the assessment team can be internal (member of HR department, potential manager and colleague) and/or external (psychologist, HR consultant).
Assessment Centres vary greatly; they differ from each other according to the requirements of a given position. Generally these are composed of psychodiagnostic tests, individual presentations of candidates, and group tasks. The optimum number of participants (applicants) ranges from 5 to 8, and the usual AC duration is one day.
The members of the assessment team focus on e.g. your social and communication skills, analytical abilities, motivation, and will and ability to solve problems. The assessment criteria are always derived from the requirements of a given position. When searching for managers, the assessment tasks will obviously be focused on the ability to make decisions and to lead people; when searching for salesman, the focus will be on negotiation skills.
The AC will provide a complex and objective comparison of applicants to the employer. You will get a picture of how the company is managed, its corporate culture, and you will have a chance to meet some of your potential colleagues and senior managers.
Preparation
The preparation for the AC is not much different from the preparation for a standard interview. Try to find out all the available information about the position you are applying for and all the criteria for a successful applicant, because the AC will be especially focused on those.
Stay relaxed during the entire AC. Do not pretend anything; you will not manage to do so for the whole day anyway. Try to keep an optimistic mood and a sense of humour. Do the maximum and do not be disappointed if you do not succeed this time. Each passed AC is a very useful experience, which will help you develop your personality.
