Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson
The purpose of a job interview is for the interviewer to determine if you are a good fit for the job and if you are qualified to hold the position. Employers can use a variety of different types of job interviews to screen applicants that will help them in making that determination.
A job interview can be stressful and you should prepare for the many types of interviewing questions by researching the type of job and industry that you applied for as well as the potential employer. You must plan and prepare to ask as well as answer questions at the interview.
The types of questions that you may be asked can differ depending on the job interview style. There are seven types of job interviews that can be used by the interviewer. You need to become familiar with each one to determine which type and style of interview that you will be attending.
1. Traditional Interview - A one-on-one range of questions asked by the interviewer to determine your ability to communicate and their impression of weather you are a good fit for the job.
2. Panel or Committee Interview- A meeting with two or more interviewers at the same time. Can be a more difficult interview due to encountering several different personalities during the interview.
3. Behavioral Interview - You are asked to demonstrate knowledge and abilities using examples in response to a certain situation.
4. Stress Interview - An aggressive and confrontational interview to see how you would perform under pressure. You may want to re-evaluate whether or not you want to work for this type of company before accepting the job.
5. Screening Interview - A traditional interview by phone or in person that has a two part segment that is used to eliminate applicants that are not qualified after the first segment of the interview.
6. Meal Interview - A casual setting for a business lunch or dinner where you will be observed carefully. The interview should procede on common ground where you follow the lead of the interviewer in food selection and etiquette while your social skills are evaluated.
7. Group Interview - An informal type discussion with other applicants where the interviewer introduces a subject and leads the discussion. The goal is to see how you interact with others and how you use your knowledge and reasoning to win others over. If you do well in the group you will have a second interview.
As with all interviews, you should always follow up using professional etiquette and sending a “Thank You” to all of the interviewers while taking advantage of the opportunity to recap your stand out qualities that appeared to be of interest during the interview.
