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Career Tips
Job Interview Types
There are different types of job interviews you may participate
in during the hiring process. Here are the major ones and tips on how to handle them.
- Stress Interview
- Stress interviews are a deliberate attempt to see how you handle
yourself. The interviewer may be sarcastic or argumentative, or may keep you waiting.
Expect this to happen and, when it does, don't take it personally. Calmly answer each
question as it comes. Ask for clarification if you need it and never rush into an answer.
The interviewer may also lapse into silence at some point during the questioning.
Recognize this as an attempt to unnerve you. Sit silently until the interviewer resumes
the questions. If a minute goes by, ask if he or she needs clarification of your last
comments.
- One-On-One Interview
- In a one-on-one interview, it has been established that you have the
skills and education necessary for the position. The interviewer wants to see if you will
fit in with the company, and how your skills will complement the rest of the department.
Your goal in a one-on-one interview is to establish rapport with the interviewer and show
him or her that your qualifications will benefit the company.
- Screening Interview
- A screening interview is meant to weed out unqualified candidates.
Providing facts about your skills is more important than establishing rapport.
Interviewers will work from an outline of points they want to cover, looking for
inconsistencies in your resume and challenging your qualifications. Provide answers to
their questions, and never volunteer any additional information. That information could
work against you. One type of screening interview is the telephone interview.
- Lunch Interview
- The same rules apply in lunch interviews as in those held at the office.
The setting may be more casual, but remember it is a business lunch and you are being
watched carefully. Use the lunch interview to develop common ground with your interviewer.
Follow his or her lead in both selection of food and in etiquette.
- Committee Interview
- Committee interviews are a common practice. You will face several members
of the company who have a say in whether you are hired. When answering questions from
several people, speak directly to the person asking the question; it is not necessary to
answer to the group. In some committee interviews, you may be asked to demonstrate your
problem-solving skills. The committee will outline a situation and ask you to formulate a
plan that deals with the problem. You don't have to come up with the ultimate solution.
The interviewers are looking for how you apply your knowledge and skills to a real-life
situation.
- Group Interview
- A group interview is usually designed to uncover the leadership potential
of prospective managers and employees who will be dealing with the public. The
front-runner candidates are gathered together in an informal, discussion-type interview. A
subject is introduced and the interviewer will start off the discussion. The goal of the
group interview is to see how you interact with others and how you use your knowledge and
reasoning powers to win others over. If you do well in the group interview, you can expect
to be asked back for a more extensive interview.
- Telephone Interview
- Telephone interviews are merely screening interviews meant to eliminate
poorly qualified candidates so that only a few are left for personal interviews. You might
be called out of the blue, or a telephone call to check on your resume might turn into an
interview. Your mission is to be invited for a personal face-to-face interview. Some tips
for telephone interviews:
Anticipate the dialogue: Write a general script with answers to questions you might be
asked. Focus on skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Practice until you are
comfortable. Then replace the script with cue cards that you keep by the telephone.
Keep your notes handy: Have any key information, including your resume, notes about the
company, and any cue cards you have prepared, next to the phone. You will sound prepared
if you don't have to search for information. Make sure you also have a notepad and pen so
you can jot down notes and any questions you would like to ask at the end of the
interview.
Be prepared to think on your feet: If you are asked to participate in a role-playing
situation, give short but concise answers. Accept any criticism with tact and grace.
Avoid salary issues: If you are asked how much money you would expect, try to avoid the
issue by using a delaying statement or give a broad range with a $15,000 spread. At this
point, you do not know how much the job is worth.
Push for a face-to-face meeting: Sell yourself by closing with something like: "I am
very interested in exploring the possibility of working in your company. I would
appreciate an opportunity to meet with you in person so we can both better evaluate each
other. I am free either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. Which would be better for
you?"
Try to reschedule surprise
interviews: You will not be your best with a surprise interview. If you
were called unexpectedly, try to set an appointment to call back by
saying something like: "I have a scheduling conflict at this time. Can I
call you back tomorrow after work, say 6 PM?"
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