Prepare yourself for any type of interview. Learn more at http://www.changeboard.com

1. Interview tips: effective interview presentation
from changeboard.com

2. Telephone interviews
In a telephone interview, the only thing your interviewer has to assess you
on is what you say.
Research shows that 95% of 800 recruitment and HR professionals
surveyed said candidates come across differently over the phone compared
to face-to-face.
Telephone interviews allow recruiters or employers to pre-screen a group
of candidates with similar qualifications before bringing them in for a face-
to-face meeting.
Top Tip: Make it count. By not taking the interview seriously, you could cut
yourself out of the running before you hang up the phone.
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3. Telephone interviews
Tips for success:
 Prep with the same diligence as you would a face-to-face meeting
 Make sure your environment is free of noise so you sound professional
and calm
 Use a landline instead of a cell phone if possible, to avoid reception
problems
 Give the potential employer your undivided attention
 Make sure you’re listening just as much as you’re talking
Top Tip: Be as polite and professional as you would be in real life; don’t
use any slang and avoid using over-familiar terms.
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4. Competency-based interviews
If you’ve ever been asked a question that started with: “Tell me about a
time when you…”, then chances are you’ve already experienced this type of
interview.
Competency-based questions are asked on the basis that your performance
in the job you’re going for can be predicted by your behaviour in past roles.
It’s one of the most popular interview types and requires significant
preparation.
Top Tip: Research the company and analyse the employer’s needs when
formulating your best possible answers.
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5. Competency-based interviews
Tips for success:
 Re-read the job description – can you prove your experience with each
responsibility and task listed?
 Go over your CV once more and make sure you can recall real-life
examples that will support the skills required for the role
 With each response, explain: the details of the situation, the actions you
took, and the impact you made on the business
Top Tip: Don’t belittle your past achievements: they might be just what
the interviewer is looking for.
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6. Competency-based interviews
Tips for success:
 Avoid using theoretical scenarios or using ‘we’, as this potential
employer is interested in you, not your former team
 If you find a question difficult, allow yourself the time to think about it
before you respond
 Have a list of things to ask prepared for the end of the interview; this
will show your passion and excitement for the position
Top Tip: Remember to breathe and speak steadily.
Try mentally counting 1…2… between sentences if you feel yourself rushing.
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7. Preparing for panel interviews
Above any other type, the key to a successful panel interview is
preparation.
There can be several people on the panel; either led by a chair who might
ask all the questions, or multiple people asking questions around different
subjects.
Top Tip: Engage the entire panel. Make eye contact with the questioner
and then move across the panel.
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8. Preparing for panel interviews
Tips for success:
 Research your interviewers to learn more about their background. This
will help you develop a relationship with them and allow you to tailor
your answers to them
 Do you have any common connections on LinkedIn?
 What’s their work history like?
 Do you have any commonalities?
 Don’t waffle; make sure you get to the point
Top Tip: Remember that the point of an interview is to sell yourself, so keep
this in mind when responding to any questions that they might throw at you.
changeboard.com

9. Dreading those tough
interview questions?
In Part 3 of this series, we’ll identify the trickiest ones
to answer and guide you through what you need to say
so you can land your dream job.
changeboard.com

10. For more tips…
… on interview success and applications as well as the
latest HR Jobs, go to:
www.changeboard.com
changeboard.com