I've been called to attend a telephone interview tomorrow (they are in Zurich, I am in Dublin). The position is for an accountant role with a global Swiss bank. Can anyone offer any advice i.e. what to expect, how to prepare, questions they are likely to ask etc?.
Thanks
Too drunk for a telephone interview?
I am not in your field . My experience has been:
1. They usually put you on conference; there is a panel of interviewers
2. Your background, last projects.
3. First level of technical questions (depending on your role)
3. More of HR type questions.
4. Your interests and reasons for moving to Switzerland.
Good luck
Make sure you are in a quiet room and have a good telephone line. If you didn't hear well or the line is bad suggest you hang up and redial (or suggest that they do) if it doesn't improve - don't be afraid to say you cannot hear them well enough (assuming you can't).
Today, I guess there can be an email as a first contact...
Do they call you directly and asking you to do a telephone interview at once?
Or there is a time arrangement about it?
Although I would wait for a call from a company, I would be surprised to do a telephone interview immediately during their first call.
I would like the telephone interview to take place a specific time in my quite room, with all my papers in front of me and ready to discuss.
Do they contact with the potential employee with email the very first time before the telephone interview? Or not?
Or the do not email and they call to arrange it for a convenient time?
1. Basics: Stand up, and make sure you're smiling into the telephone. Use a land line instead of a cellphone, if possible.
2. They can't see you nodding, so be cognizant of inserting little 'verbal nods' so they know you're still on the line and engaged, especially if they are explaining the position or talking for awhile.
3. Have your CV, the job description with keywords highlighted, notes to questions you're expecting, etc. in front of you. You can have all the notes and prep you want, since they can't see you!
Good luck, and hopefully we will be welcoming you to Zurich after you get the job!
I was once called by a recruiter while I was on a crowded train; he insisted on interviewing me immediately despite my protests that it was not a suitable time and place. The call was cut off twice when the train went into tunnels, and the guy even expected me to answer questions about my salary expectations in front of a carriage full of commuters (I refused). An absolute disaster - this is very much the exception though.
To avoid such unwanted situations, can I write down in cv or in cover letter, beside my telephone, something like "preferable email communication"?
But, because even with these hours, it is difficult to predict if I could make a conversation γiven the circumstances, maybe it was even better to additionally write about email contact as preferable way of a first communication (for further arrangements - interview). I just wonder if it is a good or bad idea, or indifferent.
All I am trying to do here, is to avoid a bad first impression for me, through a random phone call at an inappropriate time and place.
No company will call you like that for a telephone interview; they'll arrange a time either with you over email or with your agency.
Why do you want do work for this company?
Know your strenghts and your weaknesses - give at least 3 examples of each
Be able to give example of situations where you have been very successful, solved a problem etc..
Good luck!