Help - telephone interview for job at HMRC

HappyG1rl

Toots - don't worry too much. I've had a telephone interview before to assess my technical competences and it sounds worse than it is. You just have to prepare by analysing exactly what you have done in your past jobs. What kind of job is it? do you need to know a lot about different taxes or is it administration or call centre work. That might help us work out how to help you.

davetrousers

Surely the technical questions will be about accountancy. So probably be wise to swot up a bit, percentages are probably a good one. I don't know really it's not my area.

I always say to people that they should see an interview as a way of determining if you would like t work there. So if the guy (interviewing) seems like a bit of an !!!! then you probably won't want to work there.

As it's a phone interview you could have some notes in front of you. Probably a good idea to have one saying Keep calm and talk slowly and clearly.

Savvy_Sue

Aw, Toots, try not to let it stress you, try to be positive about all those comments on your profile.

I remember when I was leaving a job and helping my boss recruit, she said "These CVs look scary!" And I said "Just think what mine would look like then!" And truly, when I updated it, it was EXTREMELY scary! In fact it was SO scary that when I was telling the boys I'd got a job managing a team of admin staff, one of them said "How did you get to be so important?" :rotfl:

I do understand how it can be stressy to look at your cv, but I would recommend it. Say you've said you're a good team player - if you haven't already given an example of that then think of what example you'd use. And your technical skills, you've got that worked out already. And your people skills: I've just read another post by you, so you could maybe think of examples where people found you approachable, and how you were able to help them.

Try to smile occasionally - it comes through even on the phone. And good luck!

LittleVoice

Toots wrote: »

T

I suppose I'm a bit worried because when I was asked about myself by another agency recently one of the things I said was that I have good technical ability and the consultant said "what makes you think that?". I was stumped. I've said this loads of times before and not got that response. I suppose I should have said that my professional exams confirm it and that I've years of experience in a variety of organisations and named the good companies on my c.v. but I was so shocked at the way he spoke that I didn't say this.

But you would if you were asked on another occasion. - We all learn as we go along.

Because my interview is over the telephone if I get asked something that stumps me I'm not going to get a second chance.

But you don't have to give replies like lightning - take time if you need it - just let them know you are thinking rather than just going silent without warning!

I suppose I could think of evidence to support every comment in my profile but this just stresses me and makes me think they're trying to catch me out.

Look on it positively - they are seeking to confirm what you have said. Don't look on it in the negative way that they want to trip you up.

Good luck for Monday and the next stage too.

jobbingmusician

Are you applying for the type of job where the public will ring you up for advice on tax matters? If you are likely to have the public ring you up, they might just go for the type of telephone interview where they try to wind you up, to see if you can keep your cool.

Just a thought, for you to be aware of