Knowing the various types of job interviews used in the hiring process improves a job seeker’s interview success for two reasons. First, interviewees can prepare for the various interview types and second, interviewees can anticipate the likelihood of having a certain style of interviewing given the vacancy.
Regardless of the interview type, our Interview Like a P.R.O. can help you prepare.
Assessment Centered Interviews
Recruiters use assessment centered interviews to evaluate work behaviors and job skills of potential employees. Here, interviewers simulate work scenarios to observe interviewee actions. For example, a Graphic Designer might be prompted to draft a brochure in thirty minutes and the interviewer may follow up wit questions about design choices. These responses and the draft are then used in the final assessment of interview performance.
Behavioral Style Interviews
Behavioral style interviews are popular in structured corporate work environments. Users of behavioral interviews believe that past behaviors are the best indicators of future behavior. Using the behavioral format for questions, recruiters focus on the past actions of interviewees. Then, recruiters listen for answers that show desired behaviors, prior knowledge, relevant skills and work abilities. The questions asked require answers with very specific examples of real behavior.
The interviewer uses these answers about past behaviors to make assumptions about future behavior of the interviewee. This type of interview requires detailed responses. Whether or not interviewers use behavioral questions, interviewees should focus answers on specific experiences. Behavioral questions sound like: Tell me about a time you disagreed with your supervisor?
Chatbot Interviews
These types of job interviews are new and require interviewees to interact with chatbots. These chatbots are not unlike artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Siri, Alexa, and Cortana. Because this is still relatively new, the rules are not yet clear for these types of interviews. Our advice is to be authentic and respond fully. Also, know your rights! Some states require that employers disclose how they are using chatbots or AI in the job interview process.
Case Interviews
Case Interviews are used a lot in business and science disciplines. Here, job applicants are given a business problem to solve. Consulting firms are known to use this interview approach. In the meeting, interviewees get data and information. The data could include fiscal or operations information and a narrative about a sequence of events. Some or all of the information could be pertinent to decisions needed made by the company. The case interview gives employers a view into how you analyze data, plan or make decisions.
Competency Based Interviews
These types of interviews require answers that show how a specific skill has been used. An example of a competency based question for understanding customer service skills might be: Tell me about how you handled an irate customer who asked to speak with your supervisor? Your answer should demonstrate a certain level of mastery of that competency. These are similar to behavioral based interviews.
Group Interviews
Many people participate in group interviews, which may involve either one candidate and multiple interviewers or multiple interviewers with a group of applicants. One challenge for candidates is figuring out how to stand out among other applicants and make a memorable impression on the interviewers. Interviewees often worry about appearing conceited or monopolizing attention. Based on the group interview, the recruiter will select a smaller pool of applicants for further consideration.
Informational Interviews
These interviews are not screening interviews by a recruiter for a company to fill a vacancy. These types of interviews are used by job seekers or anyone who is curious about a day-in-the-life of a certain career professional. Informational interviews are a great career planning research technique to use in a job search to get insight into a profession or industry.
Panel Interviews
The panel interview is a specific type of group interview. Tag-team interview or team interview are other names for panel interviews. In this approach one interviewee meets with a panel or a group of interviewers. The panel of interviewers could include a potential hiring manager and a HR staff member.
Video Interviews
At this point, plenty of us are familiar with Zoom and Microsoft Teams interviews. These technologies allow interviewers to add new dimensions to the telephone interview. Companies use this method to reduce time and travel costs for potential job applicants. In many cases, employers will use video interviews for the first round of screening.
Stress Interview
Interviewees undergo psychological stress in this type of interview. For high pressure jobs, employers want to know if you’re able to maintain composure and problem solving skills when the stakes increase. Some leadership positions, law enforcement officers or even investors and air traffic controllers undergo this method of interviewing.
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