At this stage not a lot you can do but...

Be yourself - they have shortlisted you so like what they see.

Be precise - don't ramble too much.

Be interested in them and their challenges.

Good luck

Hi Marina,

Firstly well done in getting the interview - they must be impressed by your CV. I conduct a lot of telephone interviews and I find that the 'best' interviews are the ones where the candidate listens to what I am asking them and clearly answers the questions.

I suggest to research the company - be clear on not just why you want to do the job but why you would like to work for that organisation. Then be familiar with the job description and have examples to show where you have previous experience and/or would know how to approach the areas of responsibility.

Be clear on what you can offer to the company and role, and show your interest perhaps with some relevant questions if they have not been answered during the interview.

I'm sure that others will have more advice to offer you. Good luck!

Hi Marina

The big recruitment agencies and (I think) job boards often have sample interview questions that may help with your general prep (not sure if you've had fairly recent interviews for other types of roles, just not HR). Also, it might be worth looking up any posts on HE on this forum to give you an indication of what unique HR issues they face.

Good luck!

Ishbel

In reply to Keith:

Thank you feeling a bit nervous but what will be will be!

In reply to Ishbel:

Many thanks for your advice just writing a few notes now!

In reply to Ishbel:

Thank you

Hi Marina,

Preparation is key - prepare for this interview in just the same way as you would a face-to-face interview. In a previous role I telephone interviewed extensively, and it is surprising how many people don't take them seriously enough - including someone running to catch a bus!

Make sure you have somewhere quiet to sit for the interview, where you won't be disturbed.

I tend to find that telephone interviews are very structured and a series of questions to identify specific skills sets. As Susan has already highlighted, you should be able to identify these from the job spec - then carefully match these to your career history and pick out some really strong examples.

Make sure you know who will be interviewing you, and do a bit of research on them, as it should be a good indicator of the level of interview questions, etc. and don't forget to have some inciteful questions into the role/organisation prepared. Again, this is an area that I find many telephone interview candidates fall down.

Most of all, they have selected you for this interview from your CV, so believe in yourself and what you have to offer. Good luck, and let us know how you get on!

Nicola

Hi Marina,
I hope the telephone interview went well today!
Moving forward to the face to face interview you may be interested in our Interview success webinar which is free to CIPD members, more information can be found here: shop.cipd.co.uk/.../career-management-webinars-1.
The career hub also has interview simulators and also numerous helpful hints and tips for both telephone and face to face interviews.

:)

In reply to Jenni:

Sorry to jump on the post. I have tried to access the link Jenni, but I am getting an error message

In reply to Laura :

No problem, if you email careersupport@cipd.co.uk i can send you the relevant information, alternatively if you type 'career management' into the search bar on the CIPD website you will be able to find the relevant information. Thank you for letting me know the link is giving an error message, I will look into why!

I have now figured it out and amended the link accordingly, so you should be able to access the page. http://shop.cipd.co.uk/shop/cipd-training/career-management-webinars-1 

Thank you to everyone who sent me messages of support, what a great community this is! I was lucky enough to be shortlisted following the telephone interview and have been asked to interview for a more senior role. Interview is on Friday if anyone has any further advice it would be gratefully received. The role is in the University sector as a Senior HR Business Partner. Also does anyone have a model for a workforce plan? Many thanks again.

In reply to admin:

Well done, Marina... and good luck for Friday!

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