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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*Get your body language under control*
Yes, it's true. Actions speak louder than words. If you gesticulate wildly, twitch, avoid eye contact, jut your chin or behave in any other exaggerated way you will undoubtedly create an unattractive – and possibly unfair – image of your self.
Body language is used to express both conscious and subconscious thoughts, and can be as warm as a friendly glance - or as rude as turning your back on someone. It's crucial, therefore, that you understand how to use your body language to positive effect.
One trick is to ask a friend to identify any peculiar habits you might have – watch out for tapping feet, drumming fingers or playing with your hair. If you've got time, get your friend to video you giving a mock interview. That way you will see how your body language changes when you are under pressure or answering tricky questions.
Confident people tend to have an open, friendly manner so another technique is to observe their behaviour – and then emulate it. Usually this method helps you to avoid sending mixed messages, too.
During the interview, you can create rapport with the interviewer by maintaining good eye contact and looking interested and alert. Don't stare, though, as you will end up coming across as mad, bad or dangerous to know. Some experts also advise mirroring the way your interviewer is sitting and breathing but you need to be careful that you don't get caught out.
Above all, don't sway, tap your feet or hands, or touch your face, and avoid playing with pens, paper or anything else unnecessary as these all betray your nerves.
Last but not least, practise your handshake. You need to aim for a cool hand, firm grasp and good eye contact to create the best impression.
*In short:*
* Smile when you enter the interview room and maintain lots of eye contact throughout the interview
* Give a firm handshake as this shows you are confident
* Wait to be offered a seat and allow your interviewer to sit first
* If you are offered a drink it is wise to accept water as you can sip it if you dry up and it's less fiddly than tea or coffee
* Look and sound enthusiastic and alert
* Maintain an open upright sitting position and lean forward slightly
* Speak clearly and loudly
* Think before answering questions. Listen carefully and don't talk too much
* Keep a comfortable distance from your interviewer
* Do not slouch, fidget, scratch you ears or cover your mouth with your hands or fingers - or cross your arms in front of you
*Dress to impress*
Although the interviewer is assessing you on your CV, experience and skills they will nevertheless form an opinion almost immediately based on your dress and body language. We've already shown you how to improve your *_body language_*, but it's crucial if you are going for a job in the hospitality industry that you are well presented with crisply ironed clothes, combed hair, polished shoes, clean nails and so on. If the journey to the interview is likely to be long and sticky, check out in advance if there is a public facility nearby where you can wash and change before the interview.
Take note that no matter how casual the operation is, you should always dress smartly and professionally for the interview. If you dress to show respect you will be respected in turn.
*In short*
* Dress professionally. An interviewer will respond more positively to you and an employer is more likely to recruit someone who will best represent their company
* Ensure you have clean shoes, hair, nails and so on
*Plan your Journey*
You really don't want to arrive late for your interview. If you are nervous beforehand, just imagine how stressed you'll be if you can't find the address or miss that vital train – which is quite likely in an unfamiliar country or city.
Fortunately, it's quite easy to make sure no such disaster occurs.
The main thing is to get clear directions either from checking the hotel or restaurant's details on the internet or from the HR department. Then plan your route, factoring in extra time for any potential delays.
It will also help if you aim to arrive at the interview 10 minutes early, this will prove your punctuality and time-keeping skills, as well as giving you time to freshen up and gather your thoughts.
Make sure you have the name and contact number of the person you are reporting to for interview. This avoids any unprofessional confusion when you arrive and also means that if for some unforeseen reason you are delayed, you can immediately ring to apologise and explain. Should it be obvious that you will arrive very late, you may need to reconfirm that they still want you to keep the appointment. If they don't, suggest other dates and times when you are available.
*The interview*
It would be very unusual if the interviewer didn't spend a few minutes asking you about your journey, the traffic, the weather or other pleasantries before kicking into the formal interview. Be aware that although it helps you both to relax, this informal chat is still part of the interview and you will be assessed on the way you answer.
A big mistake many people make at this stage is to become over familiar or over friendly. You'll also get off to a bad start if you they ramble on about how you got lost or stuck in terrible traffic. It's much better to give short, friendly answers that hint at how well organized you are. For instance, by all means mention that the traffic was bad, but add that you had already factored that into planning your journey so it worked out well.
As you are applying for an international job, it is likely that you are being interviewed for a senior position. In that case, it is not unreasonable to address the interviewer by their first name if they use yours – or at least ask them how they would like to be addressed. If in doubt, don't address your interviewer by their first name even if they use yours. The culture in many countries outside the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region> - not to mention in large hotel groups – is formal, so it can be safer to use Mr, Mrs or Ms or any other relevant title depending on the nationality of your interviewer.
Be reassured that an interview isn't all about giving the right answers - in many cases there isn't a one. What's more important is that you come across as confident, genuine and, of course, talented.
*In short*
* Be confident and sell yourself without being arrogant
* Let the interviewer lead the interview
* Remember to switch off your mobile
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