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There is a wide variety of interviews jobseekers can face. You have the traditional interview, panel interview, competency based interview, internal interviews and of course the phone interview.

From experience many jobseekers cut corners with a phone interview as most seem to be relaxed about the thought of answering questions away from the glaring eyes of the interviewer.

It is important to prepare for phone interviews and below is a few phone interview tips.

1. Ensure that you use polite and proper phone manners.

2. Have your CV beside you for references

3. Ensure that there will be no disturbance or disruptions during the call.

4. Pause after each question and do not rush to answer the question, think it over first of all and take your time to answer it.

5. Have a pen a paper to take any notes that might assist you.

6. Focus on the hard facts with examples. Phone interviews can be short and to the point. You need to ensure that you get your message across.

7. At the end of the interview ask about feedback or the next stage of the process.

Some additional information that may help – interview tips skills, interview questions and answers and how to handle competency based interviews.

Lets face it interviews can be a difficult experience with nerves, lack of confidence or rustiness breaking the best of us. Interviews can be conquered and you can improve you performance and results. HOW? It’s all about your INTERVIEW PREPARATION. As Roy Keane famously said – “Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail”

Most jobseekers requesting interview support are obsessed with interview questions and rightly so as interviews consist of a series of questions. The problem with only focusing on questions is that many jobseekers prepare text book answers which lack impact or crumble when the questions they prepare are not asked. I guess it is a bit like exams where some students gamble by only preparing for 1 or 2 exam questions. There is much more to interview preparation that practicing a few questions BUT for the purpose of this post I will address a few popular interview questions and answers.

Why did you leave (are you leaving) your current role?

Describe when are you most motivated in your current job?

How would your last boss describe you?

What can you do for us that other candidates can’t?

Interviews can be challenging events which can through up a wide variety of possibilities. There are many different types of interview that you can face such as traditional interviews, competency based interviews or behavioural interviews, panel interviews and phone interviews. But what about the different types of interviewer. Below are different types of interviewer that you may face at interview and how to handle them.

The different types of Interviewers

“Buddy” Interviewer – They will smile and joke and get you to relax at interview. They can fall into two categories – just a poor interviewer who wants to be liked OR a skilled interviewer trying to get you to relax and reveal more information. You need to be friendly with this interviewer but don’t drop your guard.

“Inquisitor” Interviewer – This interviewer has a poker face and never cracks a smile. Normally throws a stream of tough questions. Try to remain calm and project confidence. Don’t be put off by the tough exterior as all interviewees will get this treatment. This type of interviewer believes that the real you will come out under pressure.

“Laser Beam” Interviewer – These interviewers have one topic and will focus on this area. The best approach is to try to satisfy their request for information on this issue. This will normally satisfy their agenda.

This article was provided by an interview expert in Ireland offering interview coaching across Dublin, Meath, Louth and Kildare.

If you would like to read about three additional types of interview visit this post.

Interview Tips, Skills & Techniques

I came across an interesting employer survey by law firm in the UK called Peninsula. The survey asked employers t identify what they disliked most about jobseekers. Well here is what the survey found.

These are the top 10 reasons why jobseekers do not land their dream job:

1. 26% of those surveyed disliked candidates with improper dress.

2. 19% of those surveyed said lateness was their greatest frustration. The survey also revealed that 1 in 7 jobseekers arrive late to interviews.

3. 15% of employers dislike candidates too focused on money and salary.

4. 11% of employers surveyed disliked jobseekers that were cynical towards colleagues past or future.

5. 9% of employers rated a limp handshake as a major NO.

6. 7% surveyed were not impresses by jobseekers that lacked direction and career ambition.

7. 5% indicated that poor eye contact was a key hate.

8. 4% said lack of research into the company put them off jobseekers.

9. 3% said poor verbal communications and mumbling was a reason to reject jobseekers.

10. 1% of employers surveyed disliked the know-all

An interesting point about the above findings is how much is non-verbal – improper dress, lateness, handshake, eye contact, research into the company. Interviewees are warned it is often not what you say that dictates interview performance.

There is no problem finding examples of interview questions on the internet. I have outlined a number of common interview questions to help you prepare for your next important interview. Over the coming weeks I will be telling you how to answer these questions. The secret to interview success is a combination of things BUT interview questions plays an important part.

Tell me about yourself?
Tell me what you know about this company?
Why did you apply for this job?
Why should we hire you?
What makes you different from other applicants?
What previous experience do you have relevant to this role?
How do you work under pressure?
How do you react to criticism?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
How do you cope with failure?
Do you prefer teams or working on your own?
What has been the biggest disappointment in your career to date?
What annoys or upsets you?
How would your fellow workers describe you?
How would a previous boss describe you?
What would you hope to achieve in the first year of this job?
Where do you want to be in five years?
What is the next important step in your career?
Why did you choose the qualification you did?
What other positions or types of companies are you considering?
What is your greatest achievement in your career to date?
Describe what you would do in your first week in the job?
Why are you leaving your current position?
Why do you want to work for us?
Tell me what you know about this position?
What are your salary expectations?
When are you available to commence employment?
Tell me about your interests and hobbies?
Describe yourself to me?
What questions do you have?

Need help with interview preparation – why not talk to an expert.