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

Their manifesto calls for careers education at an earlier stage and a new qualification which assesses numeracy, literacy, ICT and foreign languages.  They are basically proposing a shift whereby education is as much about preparing for the workplace as it is about academic achievement.

You can download the BCC Skills and Employment Manifesto here:
http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/policy-maker/policy-reports-and-publications/the-bcc-skills-and-employment-manifesto.html

Whether you're a business owner or a manager, it's never easy to have to let your staff go.  It's even more difficult if they've been loyal and hardworking members of your team and you've grown to like and respect them.  They may even have become family friends.

But there is something you CAN do to ease the situation and to help them prepare for their job search in what is currently an extremely difficult job market... 

You can provide them with Outplacement Support.

Staff will undoubtedly be anxious about losing their jobs.  They may be angry or shocked at the prospect of being out of work, they may think it's a personal (as opposed to a business) decision and their self-esteem may hit an all-time low.

They may feel aggrieved because they perceive the "survivors" as being less experienced or less competent and therefore feel that they have been unfairly singled out for redundancy.

They'll very likely be extremely worried about how they can meet their financial commitments and support their families.

If they've been in work or in the same job for some time, they may be completely out of touch with today's job market and not know how to go about updating their CVs, write cover letters or cope with the online recruitment revolution.

Whilst employees may be highly adept within their existing role, they may have developed skills gaps which will further hinder their progress in the job market. 

The last thing you want is for your former employees to feel overwhelmed and worthless which could result in depression and poor health.

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!

Companies are increasingly conducting the first round of interviews by telephone.  It makes sense... No-one needs to travel and it's easier to stay on track, time-wise.

This can present an ideal opportunity for you to shine, especially if you're not happy with your appearance.  It's a level playing field where appearance doesn't count.

But hold on...  Just because the interviewer can't see you, don't think you can attend the interview wearing your PJs or a scruffy old track suit; this is still a formal interview and you should prepare accordingly.

Before the interview

You must treat telephone interviews as you would any other interview.

If you're applying for a telephone sales, call centre or telephonist role, then you're in luck as you can use the telephone interview to demonstrate your excellent telephone manner.

Prepare for the interview by researching the company, its marketplace and the job itself.

Make sure you're available and ready at least 10 minutes before the telephone appointment - just in case the interviewer phones you a little earlier than planned.  And make sure that the phoneline is kept free for the call and, if possible, make sure they call you on a landline.  The call quality will be much clearer and hopefully there won't be any echo on the line.

Make sure you're somewhere quiet for the call with no background noise - that includes family, pets, TV, radio, washing machine, kettle, traffic, etc.  All noise will be amplified down the phone so it's really important that you are somewhere quiet without any interruptions or distractions.

It may sound obvious, but use the loo before the interview so you don't get caught short!  You might be on the phone for some time.

Dress for the interview as if it were a face-to-face meeting.  Although no-one will see you, it will help put you in the right mindset.

Have all your papers laid out before you - the job description, cover letter, CV and your list of questions (these are the questions you will have prepared when you did your research).  You'll also need a notepad and pen to jot down any information or questions. 

Keep some tissues handy and a glass of water to hand.  The tissues are in case you need to sneeze or blow your nose, by the way.... Not in case you burst into floods of tears during the interview!  The water should be at room temperature as cold water can play havoc with your vocal cords - especially if you're a little nervous.

When the phone rings, let it ring a couple of times before picking up. If you pick it up immediately, the caller may not have heard it ring which can throw them off guard and cause an awkward start to the interview.

During the interview

Take a deep breath, smile and pick up the phone.  Answer with a cheerful "Good morning, [James Watson] speaking".  Practice this until it feels natural.  You'll need to use this style when you start work so you ought to get used to it ASAP.

Sit up straight.  Or you can stand up during the call but don't pace about and don't be tempted to multi-task or check your emails.  Stay focussed.

Keep smiling!  It may sound a little ridiculous but smiling makes you sound brighter and more positive.  It comes across to the interviewer that you're a cheerful, positive person - exactly the sort of person they'd like to employ!

When the interview draws to a close, it's fine to ask what the next stage will be and when you can expect to hear from them.

Finish the call politely. "Goodbye, it's been a pleasure talking with you... learning about the role... hearing more about the project..."  Choose suitable words to match the situation.

Keep smiling and good luck!