There
are many types of interviews serving diverse purposes. Knowing what to expect can help you achieve
your goals.
1.
Informational Interview
The
objective of this interview is to ask for advice and learn more about a particular
career field, employer or particular job.
Interviewing experts in their field is one more way to become more
occupationally literate. The knowledge
that you gain here will make you a sharper and more informed. You will also make a contact and further
develop your network.
2. Screening
or Telephone Interview
A
phone interview is a very cost effective way to screen candidates. These can last anywhere from 10 to 30
minutes. You should prepare for it like
an open book exam. It is recommended that
you have in front of you your resume, the job description, a list of
references, some prepared answers to challenging questions and perhaps
something about the company. The vast
majority of communication is non-verbal.
Because they can’t see your body language, it is critically important to
have positive and polished answers with energetic tone and inflection. Be sure to ask what the next step is.
3. Individual
Interview
This
is the most common type and often called a “personal interview.” It is typically a one-on-one exchange at the
organizations offices. In order to best
prepare you will want to know the length of the interview which can usually
range from 30 to 90 minutes. If the
interview is 30 minutes you have to be concise and have a high impact with your
answers. If it is 60 or 90 minutes you
will want to go into much more depth and use specific examples to support your
generalizations.
4. Small
Group or Committee Interview
This
is where you will be meeting with several decision-makers at once. This can be an intimidating experience if you
are not prepared. It’s an efficient way
to interview candidates and allows for different interpretations or perceptions
of the same answer. Be sure to make eye
contact with everyone, no matter who asked the question. It’s important to establish rapport with each
member of the interview team. Try to
find out the names and job titles of the participants.
5. The
Second or On-Site Interview
After
your first interview, you may be asked back again for a “second date.” They like you enough that you made the first
round of cuts, but they would like to know more about you before making their
final decision. Second Interviews can
last either a half or full-day so it is best to check again and get an
agenda. You may be meeting with three to
five individuals. This may include a
representative from Human Resources, the department head, the office staff and
the department head’s supervisor. Be
alert and enthusiastic at all times! The
more you know about the structure of the process, the less anxious you are
going to feel and the better you will perform.
This is the last step before an offer is made.
6.
Behavioral-Based Interview
The
theory behind Critical Behavioral Interviewing (CBI) is that past performance
in a similar situation is the best predictor of future performance. CBI probes much deeper than traditional
interviewing techniques. You should
prepare by thinking of specific examples that demonstrate your competence in core
behaviors such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication, creativity, flexibility
and organizational skills. You will want
to tell your story and structure it by stating your answers in terms of the
situation, the task, what action you took, and what was the result or outcome.
7. Task
Oriented or Testing Interview
This
is a problem-solving interview where you will be given some exercises to
demonstrate your creative and analytical abilities. A company may ask you to take a short test to
evaluate your technical knowledge and skills.
Sometimes a presentation to a group is necessary to determine your
communication skills. Try to relax as
much as possible.
8.
Stress Interview
During
this rare type, the interviewer tries to bait you, to see how you will
respond. The objective is to find your
weaknesses and test how you hold up to pressure. Such tactics as weird silences, constant
interruptions and challenging interrogation with antagonistic questions are
designed to push your boundaries. The
question you have to ask yourself is: Do I want to work for a company that
treats me this way even before the offer is made? Rethink the corporate culture.
Copyright 2012, Dr. Thomas J. Denham, Careers
In Transition LLC – Albany.com – Friday, January 13, 2012