Types of Interviews

Interviews can come in many different shapes and forms, from an official, multi-interview recruitment process to an informal meet and greet at your local Starbucks. Ultimately, all interviews have one common goal: to determine if you are a suitable fit for both the position and the organization. It is also important and helpful to view this as a two way street. The employer is looking to see if you fit with the organization, but you are also trying to determine if the position/organization is a good fit for your wants and needs as well.

One on One Interview

A typical job interview is one-on-one between a candidate for employment and a hiring manager. The interviewer will ask questions about the applicant’s experience and skills, as well as about work history, availability, and the personal attributes the company is seeking in a new hire.

Behavioral Interview

Behavioral based interviewing is interviewing based on discovering how the interviewee acted in specific employment-related situations. The logic is that past performance predicts future performance.

Group or Panel Interview

A panel job interview takes place when an applicant for employment is interviewed by a panel or group of interviewers. There may be one candidate and multiple interviewers, multiple candidates and one interviewer, or several candidates and several interviewers.

Interviews in a Public Place

Employers sometimes schedule job interviews in a public place, like a coffee shop or restaurant. It could be because they are hiring for a field position and they don’t have a local office. Or, it may be more convenient to interview candidates in a setting other than the office, especially if they don’t want current employees to know that they’re hiring.

Open Interview

An open interview is an interview for employment where companies accept job applications during a block of time when all applicants can attend. Interviews are held on a first-come, first serve basis.

Phone Interview

Employers use phone interviews as a way of identifying and recruiting candidates for employment. Phone interviews are often used to screen candidates in order to narrow the pool of applicants who will be invited for in-person interviews.

Video Interview

Video interviews are becoming more commonplace in the workplace. As hiring becomes more global, both for employers and candidates, video interviewing is a way to expedite the interview process. Make sure you set up your computer in an environment that is: well lit; quiet; clean and neutral (a blank wall is fine. You want a backdrop that lets the interviewer concentrate on you). You should also be sure you prep your appearance for a video interview. Dress and groom as if you were going to an in person interview.

Second Interview

A second interview may be a one-on-one interview with the person you originally interviewed with, other staff, or it can be a day-long interview. You may meet with management, staff members, executives, and other company employees.

Testing

In a number of organizations, such as those in hospitality industries, applicants might be required to complete personality, temperament and/or skills based testing to further assess the extent to which they align with the company culture.