A call for an interview takes a job candidate one step closer to landing a job with the company. An interview is the only opportunity to impress the interviewer. One should be aware of the types of interview so that one can prepare well.
This article will explain all you need to know about various types of interviews.
An interview is a formal meeting between job candidates and firms. It is a vital part of the selection process. It helps the firm to assess their personality, knowledge, and skills based on their answers. The firm gets an idea of whether they are suitable for the job position.
From the job candidates’ perspective, an interview enables them to showcase their professional abilities and strengths. They can prove why they are a better job candidate than others. A successful interview kick-starts their career in a new direction. A failed interview helps them analyze their weaknesses and work on areas of improvement.
Each company follows its format of interviews. The interview pattern can vary according to the nature of the job or the criticality of the requirement to fill the position. Check out some of the most common kinds of interviews.
This is a basic and generic interview style. It involves one interviewer and one interviewee. The interviewer will ask the interviewee a few unstructured questions. A few examples of such questions are:
Related: Tips on How to Introduce Yourself in an Interview
This is also a popular format among different types of interviews. A telephonic interview is a job candidate’s first point of contact with the company. Several companies conduct telephonic interviews for the initial evaluation of a job candidate.
For example, the US multinational company Amazon has a structured phone interview process for job candidates. If they are selected, the company may call them for an in-person interview.
Most firms have turned to this type of interview after the COVID-19 pandemic. The interviewer takes the interview on a teleconferencing app such as Zoom, Google Meet, or GoTo Meeting. A video interview saves time and logistics costs for both candidates and the companies.
A video interview can be for onsite, offsite, remote, or work-from-home job positions.
Related: 7 Tips to Succeed in Online Interviews
Different kinds of interviews include case interviews in a format. It is a like a case study based on real-life scenarios. The interviewer gives a business situation or technical problem. The job candidate has to provide a solution. This interview helps the interviewer to analyze their problem-solving skills.
The case study can be verbal or written. It can be short or long. Case interviews require quick and proactive thinking on the interviewees’ part.
Puzzle and riddle questions play an important role in some interview types. Usually, firms conduct puzzle interviews for information technology job positions. The purpose is to test the candidate’s critical thinking, lateral thinking and problem-solving aptitude.
Here is an example of one such question:
A birthday cake has to be equally divided into 8 equal pieces in exactly 3 cuts. Determine the way to make this division possible.
A conversation about a job opening over lunch also falls in the category of various types of interview. A lunch interview usually takes place in a café or a restaurant. The informal or casual setting puts the interviewee at ease.
The idea behind a lunch interview is to determine the interviewee’s behavioral and social skills. It is especially useful for the interviewer when the job involves teamwork, customer relationship or client meets.
Some kinds of interview include a hands-on demo of the job candidate’s expertise. The interviewer assigns them a task to observe their performance during a real-life work situation. This is called a working interview.
A working interview assesses whether the job candidate can do what they claim on their resume or during verbal discussion. This interview may last for a few hours or days.
This is another common format in different types of interview. In a panel interview, the interviewees have to answer questions from several interviewers. These interviewers belong to different departments in the company.
The panel interview questions can be open-ended, technical, situational or behavioural.
This type of interview is usually held for freshers at a college campus or other venue. However, some career fairs also target unemployed individuals or working professionals looking for a change.
A career fair allows employers to pre-screen candidates for a job. If candidates are shortlisted, the company will call them for the next round of interviews.
The interview types also include a series of interviews. The candidates have to appear for several rounds of interviews with a different interviewer each time. The interview questions and pattern may vary in each interview.
The purpose of a serial interview is to assess the candidates from all perspectives. Every time they go to the next round, it increases the chances of their selection.
Among other types of interview, job candidates should also expect behavioural-based questions. A behavioural interview helps an employer determine how they would perform in a specific situation. The interviewer is looking for their past work experiences to predict their future performance.
Here are a few sample behavioural interview questions:
Give an example of a time when there was a work conflict with a colleague. How did you handle it?
Describe an incident when a customer escalated the issue for poor service. What did you do?
How do you set your priorities when you have multiple deadlines?
Related: Tips to Sound Smart during Personal Interviews
Apart from understanding what are the types of interviews, job candidates also need to pay attention to present themselves. Here are a few useful tips:
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It is tough to say which type of interview is easiest. Every interview has its pros and cons. Most interviews assess a job candidate’s responses, skills, qualifications, body language and several other factors. Sometimes, candidates have to expect the unexpected during some interviews.
A traditional interview is the most common among different types of interviews. It happens face-to-face and in person at the company location. However, video interviews are also becoming common if the interviewee or interviewer is located remotely. A panel interview is also a popular format for managerial, executive or other senior job positions.
Most of these interviews last for 30 to 60 minutes.
It is natural for job candidates to get nervous before and during a job interview. They can follow these tips to increase the chances of clearing the interview:
– Prepare a neat, accurate and professional resume.
– Make sure to carry an updated resume to the interview.
– Research about the company.
– Prepare for generic questions.
– Brush up the knowledge, especially if the interview is for a technical or technology-based role.
– Dress appropriately for the interview.
– Greet the interviewer with a smile.
– Answer all questions with confidence and clarity.
– Focus on the strengths.
– Customise the answers to the job description.
– Ask only relevant questions to the interviewer.
– Close the interview with a polite thank you.
An interview is a basic formality for any job position. It helps the interviewer to assess the job candidates’ potential. It is highly unlikely for the employer not to interview for a job. However, some jobs like content creation, graphic designing or social media marketing may not require an interview.
The employer may evaluate candidates’ profiles solely based on their previous work. The employer may also skip an interview if they are a freelancer or have exceptional credentials. In the end, it is entirely the employer’s discretion to conduct an interview or not.
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