Getting the Job You Desire: Preparing for Various Interview Types |
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Posted By: Heather Eagar In: Job Seeker - Interview
If you’ve been on multiple job interviews then you know that you might encounter a different environment depending on the company you interview with. This is pretty common because every company has its own culture. And more importantly, each company – and even department – instills its own interviewing strategy. Sometimes you know what type of interview you’re going to walk into and sometimes you don’t. So to be prepared for anything, let’s take a brief look at varying interview types.
If you’ve been on multiple job interviews then you know that you might encounter a different environment depending on the company you interview with. This is pretty common because every company has its own culture. And more importantly, each company – and even department – instills its own interviewing strategy.
Sometimes you know what type of interview you’re going to walk into and sometimes you don’t. So to be prepared for anything, let’s take a brief look at varying interview types.
The Screening Interview
Often times, when you apply for a job, the company will look over your resume and cover letter as a sort of filtering process to determine whether you’re generally qualified for the job. However, on occasion, a company might go one step further by conducting what is known as a screening interview. In this interview – which might be conducted in person or over the phone – a representative will ask you some questions to determine your interest in the job and basic qualifications.
Structured Interview
Another interview type that you might be prepared for – and that is quite common – is the structured interview. In this type of interview, the interviewer will ask specific, predetermined questions meant to explore experience, skills and personality traits. The goal of this type of interview is to find the ideal candidate. Very often, this interview is the determining factor in whether you will be hired for a position.
Stress Interview
This type of interview style is rarer than others because it is a bit unorthodox. During this interview, the interviewer will try to intentionally upset you to see how you might react under pressure. You might be asked questions designed to make you feel uncomfortable. Or the interviewer may interrupt you while you’re speaking.
Group Interview
The group interview is pretty much just what you think it is. It is a number of representatives from the company opting to interview you at the same time. Often times, each member of the group is designated a style of questions to ask (ex. stress). However, other times, the interviewers may be allowed to start a sort of “free for all” as long as they don’t step on the toes of other interviewers.
Multiple Interviews
If you have been moving up the corporate ladder over the past few years then you may have noticed that you first started with structured interviews only. However, as you’re moving higher up the chain, you may be participating in multiple interviews.
Multiple interviews are usually a combination of several types of interviews you’re already familiar with. For instance, you may first undergo a screening interview so they can determine whether you’re qualified to move on to the next step. Then you may attend a group interview where multiple representatives will have an opportunity to determine your qualifications. Finally, you might go to an informal interview – possibly at a lunch – where you meet with one or more interviewers to talk casually about the job.
There are other interview types out there to consider, including targeted and situational. By knowing what’s out there, you can more easily prepare for any interviewing scenario you find yourself in.
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Comments
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Posted by: Jim B.
Defining the group and multiple interview was very good.
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Posted by: Joyce
I had a VERY unusual interview the other day, they called it a GROUP INTERVIEW. Literally, the invited 15 potentials to interview all at the same designated time. On the phone she said she wanted specifics brought to the interview, nothing usual, resume, 3 references, career highlights. We were ushered into a room with chairs set up in a semi-circle in rows and asked to take a seat. Then the interviewers asked us each to stand up and tell about ourselves personally. Next there were 4 questions they wanted us each to answer. What attracted us to applying for this job? What did we know about that type of business? Why they should give us the job? What talents did we have to lend to the job?They dismissed us and then said they would be doing call backs from their decision for secondary interview(s).How I felt? Dupped. I felt they should have told us when scheduling the interview their intentions. I felt the office manager was extremely controlling, demanding throughout the process. I felt the others interviewees (2) more relaxed and quite normal, joking and what not.I felt like of the 15 candidates only one was well suited for the position. Clearly there were many under qualified, numerous unprepared, even a couple overqualified candidates. Obviously, punctuality counted as did flexibility and outgoing nature of the individual(s).Honestly, it was an experience I chose not to repeat. However, in their defense, the job was posted on Craigslist and therefore weeding was necessary.With that said, most positions I have applied to as of late have had 150 to 200 resumes received. 10 are interviewed. 3 are called back for secondaries. A candidate is selected and the other 2 candidates are not notified of any progress.
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Posted by: Philip A.
Generally an OK article but no mention of situational (behavioral) questions. Also, no mention of IQ testing and psychological evaluations/screening that many companies use now a days.
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Posted by: Ari
I work in the Finance Department in law firms as an Accounts Payable Coordinator and often my first interview is always with someone from Human Resources... understanding now that this is a "screening" process, often it is a waste of time because the person has very little knowledge about the work process or logistics of the accounting business. I've always prepared questions that are really basic but important enough to fully grasp the position & responsibilities, but the HR Interviewer never can answer.
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Posted by: Andrew Booz
Please comment on the power behind the distance HR gets from telephone interviews.
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Posted by: Robert S.
another great article every job seeker should read
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Posted by: Theresa T.
Amen to that: I agree that ALL interviews are stressful, some more than others.
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Posted by: PHK Corporation
Just about all interviews are stressful.
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Posted by: ron venckus
you do not speak of behaviroal interviewing???
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Posted by: joblist4u.blogspot.com
good clasification interview information, it is very useful.
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