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Your Guide To Success
Interviewers use several different types of interviews, questions, and techniques to determine your capabilities. Therefore, it is to your advantage to be well prepared for a variety of possible interview situations. It is always better to be prepared for both expected and unexpected interviews and interviewers.
The resume gets you an interview, the interview gets the job.
Goals of an Interview
Interviewer
- To fill a position with the best possible person to do the job.
- To evaluate what you can do for the organization.
- To determine how your personality, skills, etc. fits with the position or company.
Interviewee
- To be sure you understand the job and company.
- To sell yourself. Provide additional information about what you can do for the organization.
- To decide if the company and position provides what you desire.
Types of Interviews
Although the most common type of interview is one-on-one between the interviewer and interviewee, there are other types of employment interviews. You should be aware of these since you may unexpectedly encounter one of the less frequent interview types sometime during the interview process. If you are asked to return for a second or third interview with the same organization, you may face a different type of interview than during the first round of interviews.
Information/networking interviews
Once you have identified a career field in which you are interested, you should talk to people who are working in that field. This can provide valuable information about particular jobs and careers, especially the skills and experience that employers are seeking in various positions. It can also provide a contact for your network when you start seeking a job, or lead directly to formal job interviews. A sample Information Interview handout is provided at the back of this booklet.
Series interviews
One relatively common type of interview is the ‘series interview’ – meeting with several individuals within the same organization, one at a time. After this series of interviews, the individuals with whom you met will get together to compare notes and collectively make a hiring decision. It may seem like you are repeating yourself during these interviews, but remember, for the person interviewing you, it is their first interview with you. You should treat each interview as if it were your first.
Panel interviews
One of the more stressful types of interview is the panel interview. In this type of interview, you are interviewed by several people at the same time. It is extremely difficult to control this type of interview. As you answer one person’s question, it is hard to gauge how other panel members are responding. In addition, there may be an obvious difference of opinion between two panel members. Your response may gain the support of one, but lose the support of the other.
Group interviews
Although this type of interview is uncommon, they do occur. In group interviews, the employer will interview several applicants at the same time and observe the interpersonal skills of the applicants. Often a question will be posed to the group or the group will be given a problem to solve. If an applicant exhibits positive leadership behaviors in the group setting, employers tend to believe that person can take charge and be a leader in the workplace.
Preparation for the interview is essential. You can then relax and be yourself. |
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