A TEN minute phone interview!! What on earth will they want out of it?

[msrisotto]

I have this tomorrow. Don't really know how to prepare especially on such short notice. I assume it's a precursor to a 'proper' interview, especially as it is with their HR consultant rather than the person who i'd be working for. It is in health settings, for an unqualified job.

Any advice gratefully received!

Optimistic bump!

I wrote a carefully crafted reply then lost my connection. I will carefully craft another right now!

Don't give up!

First off, relax. This is 10 minutes to talk about yourself, think of it as free therapy!

You may be asked a version of ?why are you applying for this role??

The sort of answer you could give is along the lines of:

?I am moving on from my current role as an XXX. I saw your role advertised [wherever] and feel that my experience of ZZZ is highly relevant to the role?

Keep it short (30 seconds), relevant and make it sound enthusiastic

Don?t answer this with ?because I need a job!?

Have your CV or a list of relevant dates/jobs to hand and be prepared to expand a bit on previous roles you have held, emphasising the relevant bits of the role. Talk enthusiastically about these roles emphasising the positive.

It is quite possible that HR are doing this as a filtering process. People who have fibbed on an application or who cant hold down a conversation will be eliminated at this point.

Good luck!

Wear a suit.

You want to come across as keen and enthusiastic rather than desperate (dont cry or beg!). Ideally the HR bod will come away from the conversation having written 'worth an interview' on your application.

As this stage is on the phone you can have lots of notes (written out clearly) in front of you.

Be the beroca version of yourself but do be yourself.

TethersEnd - it's a phone interview, are you suggesting that the interviewer will be able to tell the difference between the rustle of a suit and the rustle of other clothing!

Thanks, I was planning on begging but now you've said that, I won't .
I've printed out loads of research which they won't ask me about i'm sure but I'll want to feel prepared anyway. Nervous!

I don't think the interviewer will notice whether i'm wearing a suit or not, being unable to see me and all!

Do keep to the point and try to avoid nervous waffling (I tend to be guilty of this). Sorry - I didnt think you would beg but it is a good idea to avoid any implication of you needing this job!

I didn't wear a suit or smart shoes i'm afraid.

So, I had it, she asked me ten million questions, had a tendency to cut me off before I was even half way through my answer, with the next question! At the end she said I came across fine to her, she'd pass her feedback on and they'd get back to me in about a week! I have no Idea what to expect, it was the most rushed interview i've ever had!

Thanks for your support though.

I had one of these on Tuesday, its weird isnt it.

Also in health care....erm msrisotto, you are not applying for the same job as me are you????

Usually when they cut you off it's cause you've hit what they need already fingers crossed

It is a filtering interview. Sounds like it went well. Good luck and hope you get to the next stage!

we use phone interviews a lot as a screen, particularly if we get lots of applicants. Mostly we want people to sound keen, interested, remember what company they have applied to work for and be able to say a little bit about it (the amount you could discover in a quick google).

It's amazing how many don't make it through and it saves us all time in the end.

Well done, I have my fingers crossed for you for the next round. Assuming you do get through, next time you do wear the suit but still no begging or crying!

but still no begging or crying

Gawd Gnome, you're so strict!