welcomewiki has just posted in the Career forum of Wiki Newforum under the title of How to give the perfect telephone interview.
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*Telephone Interviews*
Telephone interviews are frequently used when applying for jobs abroad as they can help to eliminate people in the early stages before arranging potentially costly face-to-face interviews. For detailed advice, click through to *_XXX_*
*Panel Interviews*
This might sound daunting if you haven't experienced one before, but if you remember a few key points you will be fine.
On the whole, it isn't much different to a one-to-one interview. When you are introduced to everyone, make a mental note of their roles and identify who you would be working for. Then just remember to try to address everyone when answering each question. Stay calm, answer clearly and honestly and don't forget to include illustrations of your skills in your answers.
*After the interview*
It's clearly up to the interviewer to wrap up the interview but don't forget to ask what the next stage is and when you can expect a decision.
Hospitality is a small world so if you decide you do not want the job it is important either to let the interviewer know during the interview or to write immediately afterwards.
Similarly, if you are still interested in the job you should send a note explaining that you enjoyed the interview and confirm your interest. Incidentally, this is a good opportunity to draw attention to any skills that perhaps you forgot to mention in the interview. So, you could say: "I have given some thought to what you said about handling budgets and …"
If you haven't heard within a few weeks, by all means make a follow-up phone call to check progress - but don't seem to be pestering.
*In short:*
* Allow the interviewer to wrap up the interview
* Thank the interviewer and confirm your interest in the company and the role
* Alternatively, thank the interviewer and politely explain that you don't feel the position is right for you
*If you don't get the job*
It's hard to believe that you won't get the job if you've got the right skills and you follow this advice. If the unthinkable happens, however, use the experience to assess where you could improve your interview technique.
Try to identify any factors that may have contributed to the outcome, such as lack of preparation or nerves. You can ask the interviewer for feedback and use any tips they give in future interviews.
If you would still like to work for the hotel, restaurant or contract caterer there is no harm in sending them a letter explaining that although you have not been successful on this occasion you would like to be considered for other related roles.
What you mustn't do is become depressed or take it personally – let's face it, there's a lot of competition for international hospitality jobs so you have done very well to get to interview stage.
*If you don't want the job*
You might be in the happy position of getting several job offers, you might be given a job offer that you decide you don't want, or you might change your mind about the company before you hear back from them. In each case, it is important that you get in touch immediately, ideally by telephone or email, explaining politely and professionally that you won't be able to accept the position.
*Top tip*
If you get called to second interview or accept a job offer, it might be useful to ask some questions about your colleagues during the process. This will help to prepare you for the first few days in the job when you will need to be sensitive to who does what in the department and be aware of other issues.
You could, for instance, find out how long each team member has been at the company, what positions they've held, where they've worked in the past and what the hierarchy is. If you are at managerial level, you may also want to know if there is any romance or bad feeling between members of the team. Try to be subtle by slipping questions into the conversation rather than sounding that you are launching an inquest.
Good luck …
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