Depending on the interviewer (whether recruiter, head-hunter, large or small employer), different types of interview formats will be used. In this article, I’m going to cover the key types of interview formats.
The Stress Interview
As the name implies, they are used to target how well you perform under stress. To make them stressful, you could encounter rapid-fire questioning, criticism of your past or current interview performance, an unsmiling and unresponsive interviewer, a direct challenge, or even confrontation – maybe even unclear instructions.
The interview can become very heated and negative. If this is not your cup of tea, by all means, get up and walk out. The question you have to ask yourself, if they treat someone like this at interview, what will they be like as an employer?
If you decide to stay – The best approach with this type of interview is to keep your cool at all costs!
Another version of a Stress Interview – is the Good Cop and Bad Cop Interview. I’m sure you have seen enough TV cop shows to understand what is happening. Just keep in mind that the good cop is not on your side and don’t become flustered.
Panel Interview
The second most dreaded job interview is the panel interview, which is basically an interview, where there is more than one interviewer. If going for a government job, a panel interview is the norm and a panel of three will normally interview you. For the private sector, a panel interview is used when representatives from several departments want to be present.
Group Interview
A Group Interview is exactly that – basically all candidates are interviewed together or are in the same room, when provided a task or are networking. This is commonly used in an initial culling process and for positions such as Fight Attendants. People will be judgement how you work in a group, as teamwork is considered essential.
The Practical Interview
A practical interview is it name implies is literally an interview where you are asked to perform aspects of the job to prove you can do them. For example, taking a typing test, writing code, or presenting a solution to an organisation.
A Telephone Interview
A telephone interview is generally used to screen people out and is usually utilised to narrow down a large pool of applicants and as a way to minimise expenses involved in interviewing a large number of candidates, including out-of-town candidates.
Video Interviews
Increasingly organisations are using video interviews. Like the telephone interview, they are a way to narrow down a large pool of applicants and a way to minimise expense.
Another long distance type of interview is the Videoconferencing Interview and as the name implies, is simply an interview conducted via videoconference.
And finally there is
The Lunch Interview, which these days is a rare beast, but occasionally you might be invited to an interview or meeting that takes place over lunch or coffee.
So we have just covered some of the key types of job interviews that you could encounter. Different versions abound and every place has their own take on how to conduct an interview. More innovative practices tend to be utilised in forward thinking, or technology based companies.
However, whatever interview you encounter, you will be able to successfully cope if you prepare!
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