Group Interviews or Assessments are increasingly being used by hiring managers as a quick and effective way to narrow down the candidate pool.  Candidates are invited to an assessment centre where, through the use of role play and problem solving tasks, hirers can identify the candidates who may best fit their requirements and select them for individual interview or more detailed assessment.

From a candidate standpoint, however, group interviews can be a little unnerving - you want to stand out from the crowd but without appearing arrogant and overbearing. You want to step up and exhibit leadership qualities, but not come across as dominant or bullying.  It can be extremely tricky to find the right balance and you need to give this careful thought before the interview.

During group interviews you will be observed to see how you communicate with others.  You should speak up and voice your opinions but also listen to others and respect their views too.  Don't be dismissive, opinionated or disrespectful of others.  If one candidate is dominating the discussions, going into overdrive and putting others down, whatever you do, don't rise to the bait - don't rise to their level.   Exercise a little assertiveness, calm things down a little, consider carefully what you want to say and then deliver your point calmly and succinctly.  Then perhaps ask another candidate to expand on their views.

It's important that candidates get along with each other, even though they are competing for the same roles.  This is especially important when you'll be working as part of a team and therefore need to establish good working relationships with your peers, clients and suppliers.

When undertaking group assignments, try to relate your solutions to the hiring organisation although, depending on the task, this is not always possible.  But if you've done plenty of research on the hiring organisation, it should be easier to make your solutions relevant at every opportunity.

As with any interview, as it concludes the group will very likely be asked whether they have any questions.  If you've prepared well, this is a great opportunity to stand out - but be careful not to show off!

The interview process starts when you arrive at the venue.  Your behaviour in reception is often observed and it is imperative that you show impeccable manners and make a good impression with everyone, including the receptionist who may be asked for feedback.  If other candidates are in the waiting area, strike up a conversation, build rapport and treat everyone with equal respect and courtesy.  Keep in mind body language, eye contact, tone of voice and the all-important smile and never try to be something you're not... try to be natural.

If you want help with interview techniques and preparation, please get in touch. 
We can help you prepare for Skype, Video, Telephone and Face-to-Face Interview Preparation.

To set up a call, please email: mail @ CompellingCVs.co.uk

Companies are increasingly using Skype to do business and that includes job interviews.  It's an efficient way to conduct first-round interviews, especially if candidates are geographically diverse.

I've yet to see anyone look good on Skype and I find that the quality of the call can detract from the process, so you'll need to do everything you can to get the best out of the experience.

Here are my tips for preparing for Skype interviews:

1. Treat a Skype interview like a real face-to-face interview.  This is not the same as talking with your pals.  It's a formal interview... your opportunity to make an impression and to shine.  Dress the part - top to toe.  Although the interviewer will only see your head and shoulders, dressing the part will put you in the right mindset and will come across in your demeanour.  As with any interview, your hair, teeth, fingernails, etc should all be squeaky clean.
2. Ensure that the space behind you is clutter free and there is no background noise.  Ideally the space behind you should be a blank wall with no distractions.  You should be in a quiet room totally free of noise and distractions.  That includes family, friends, children, pets, radio, TV and street noise.  Close the windows and doors.  Turn off all other programmes on your laptop or computer and make sure you turn off mobile phones too.  You don't want any distractions.  The interviewer should only be able to hear YOU - nothing else.
3. Make sure you've done your homework and researched the vacancy and the company.  Have a short list of questions ready to ask at the end of the interview, but don't ask questions if the subject has already been covered.  At this stage the questions should be about the role and the company - not about pay and benefits.
4. Re-read the job specification, your CV and your prepared questions before the interview commences, so it's all fresh in your mind.  Be prepared to answer questions about how you've handled a specific situation or how you would approach a problem.
5. Be ready about 10 minutes early.  Use the loo, make a drink (room temperature water is best), have paper and pencil ready, and keep the job specification, your CV and questions to hand.
   
6. The webcam and computer screen should be level with your face so you are not looking up or down at an angle.  There needs to be sufficient light so the interviewer can see you clearly.  You'll need to remember to look directly at the webcam itself during the interview - not at the screen.  Stay focussed and make "eye contact" with the camera.
7. Don't fidget during the interview.  No scratching your head, clicking pens, squeezing stress balls, bouncing or swivelling on your chair. Be natural but not too casual.
   
8. Answer the call professionally. When the Skype call comes through, take a deep breath, smile and answer the call professionally.  Stay positive and focussed and "engage" with the interviewer.  Listen carefully to the questions.  Answer comprehensively but keep your responses relevant... don't ramble off subject or give too much information.  Stick to the question.
   
9. End the call courteously.  At the end of the interview thank the interviewer for their time and for the opportunity.  It's ok to ask when you might expect to hear back from them.  Make sure you've definitely disconnected the call before you utter another word.
   

We offer interview skills training at Compelling CVS, so if you'd like a mock interview or a little more advice, please get in touch or click here to find out a little more about our Interview Skills Training Service.

Good luck!

In today's madly competitive job market, it's a great achievement to secure an interview, but sadly you've only just cleared the first hurdle.  Now you have to shine at the interview and perhaps at 2nd and 3rd stage interviews, depending on the role and how thorough the recruitment process is.

If you asked for our 3 top tips for interview success the answer would be very simple...  Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!

Interviews are a two-way process.  Not only is the employer assessing you, but you are assessing them too!  So use the interview to glean as much information as possible.

• Read the company's website and their annual report.
• Read up on their marketplace and competition.
• Read the job description thoroughly.
• Use this information to generate informed conversation and to prepare some interesting questions to ask at interview.
• Stay off the alcohol the night before, and have a good night's sleep.
• Make sure you know EXACTLY where you are going for the interview.  Allow plenty of time.  Don't arrive late, but don't arrive too early either.
• Take a copy of your CV with you and don't be afraid to refer to it if you need to check dates, etc. It's worth taking a spare for the interviewer too.
• Take the job description and any other information with you. Read it en route and make a note of any questions you would like to ask.
• You may be asked to produce ID - passport or driver's licence.
  
• If you've been asked for any other documentation (qualification certificates, etc), remember to take them with you in a clean folder.
  
• Don't be afraid to take notes during the interview.
• Don't be negative about your present or past employers.
  
• If you are a smoker, don't smoke before-hand, however nervous you may feel. All business premises are non-smoking nowadays, and you will carry the smell of cigarettes into the interview with you - not attractive.
• Make sure you are presentable.  That includes hair, teeth, shoes, fingernails.  People notice the smallest things and you don't want to be remembered as the candidate with dirty fingernails.
• Turn off your mobile phone before you enter the business premises, and don't turn it back on again until you are well out of earshot.
• Stand up when you greet the interviewer and give a firm hand shake - not too limp and not too bone-crunching either.
• If you're offered a drink, stick to water.  Avoid coffee and biscuits - less potential for making a mess.
  
• Position yourself comfortably on the chair, not on the edge. Sit up straight and stay focussed.  Make lots of eye contact, but not so much that you freak out the interviewer! 
  
• Make sure you answer the actual questions.  Listen carefully, consider the question and then answer it directly and concisely.  Try not to answer "yes" or "no".  Expand a little, but don't waffle.  If you don't know the answer, don't lie; perhaps admit that you haven't come across that before but you'd be interested in learning more about it.
• Try to establish a rapport with the interviewer but don't be over-familiar; keep it professional.
• Be nice to the receptionist and/or secretary. They play a very important role within the company and could become your greatest ally.

We could give you many more interview tips but at the end of the day, the interview is a sales pitch.  You are selling yourself.  If the interviewer doesn't like what they see and hear, they won't buy.  It's as simple as that.

Interview preparation is key so remember our three top tips...  Prepare, Prepare, Prepare.

Good luck!

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If you didn't read Part 1 of my blog on Video Interviews, you might want to read that article first...

• You must remember to talk directly into the webcam - maintaining eye contact as if you were talking directly to the interviewer.  It's often tempting to look at the screen or refer to notes... don't!
• When you are answering questions, try to inject some enthusiasm into your voice.  This can be difficult when you're talking to a camera, so you may need to practice this in a mirror.
• Maintain a good posture - don't slouch and don't wriggle - but don't be rigid either.  If your chair is a swivel type, lock it into the upright, static position.

It's a good idea to practice video interviewing with a friend - possibly recording the interview over Skype.  Enlist the help of someone you trust to give you positive, constructive feedback, and who will help you to identify problems and to improve your performance.

• Pay attention to body language, enthusiasm and eye contact (with the webcam), and then make adjustments to your performance, until it becomes more refined yet natural.
• During practice interviews, get into the mindset by dressing appropriately and creating the correct room-setting - so that you are in true interview mode, even though you're just rehearsing.

All recruiters will set different interview questions, so we cannot provide details of what you will be asked.  However, since video interviews are not interactive, questions will be static - totally