Types of Interviews
Companies use screening tools to ensure that candidates meet minimum qualification requirements. Computer programs are among the tools used to weed out unqualified candidates. (This is why you need a digital resume that is screening-friendly. See our resume center for help.) Sometimes human professionals are the gatekeepers. Screening interviewers often have honed skills to determine whether there is anything that might disqualify you for the position. Remember-they do not need to know whether you are the best fit for the position, only whether you are not a match. For this reason, screeners tend to dig for dirt. Screeners will hone in on gaps in your employment history or pieces of information that look inconsistent. They also will want to know from the outset whether you will be too expensive for the company.
Some tips for maintaining confidence during screening interviews:
Highlight your accomplishments and qualifications.
Get into the straightforward groove. Personality is not as important to the screener as verifying your qualifications. Answer questions directly and succinctly. Save your winning personality for the person making hiring decisions!
Be tactful about addressing income requirements. Give a range, and try to avoid giving specifics by replying, "I would be willing to consider your best offer."
If the interview is conducted by phone, it is helpful to have note cards with your vital information sitting next to the phone. That way, whether the interviewer catches you sleeping or vacuuming the floor, you will be able to switch gears quickly.
On the opposite end of the stress spectrum from screening interviews is the informational interview. A meeting that you initiate, the informational interview is underutilized by job-seekers who might otherwise consider themselves savvy to the merits of networking. Job seekers ostensibly secure informational meetings in order to seek the advice of someone in their current or desired field as well as to gain further references to people who can lend insight. Employers that like to stay apprised of available talent even when they do not have current job openings, are often open to informational interviews, especially if they like to share their knowledge, feel flattered by your interest, or esteem the mutual friend that connected you to them. During an informational interview, the jobseeker and employer exchange information and get to know one another better without reference to a specific job opening. This takes off some of the performance pressure, but be intentional nonetheless:
Come prepared with thoughtful questions about the field and the company.
Gain references to other people and make sure that the interviewer would be comfortable if you contact other people and use his or her name.
Give the interviewer your card, contact information and resume.
Write a thank you note to the interviewer.
Astounding as this is, the Greek hazing system has made its way into professional interviews. Either employers view the stress interview as a legitimate way of determining candidates' aptness for a position or someone has latent maniacal tendencies. You might be held in the waiting room for an hour before the interviewer greets you. You might face long silences or cold stares. The interviewer might openly challenge your believes or judgment. You might be called upon to perform an impossible task on the fly-like convincing the interviewer to exchange shoes with you. Insults and miscommunication are common. All this is designed to see whether you have the mettle to withstand the company culture, the clients or other potential stress.
Besides wearing a strong anti-perspiring, you will do well to:
Remember that this is a game. It is not personal. View it as the surreal interaction that it is.
Prepare and memorize your main message before walking through the door. If you are flustered, you will better maintain clarity of mind if you do not have to wing your responses.
Even if the interviewer is rude, remain calm and tactful.
Go into the interview relaxed and rested. If you go into it feeling stressed, you will have a more difficult time keeping a cool perspective.
Interviewing simultaneously with other candidates can be disconcerting, but it provides the company with a sense of your leadership potential and style. The group interview helps the company get a glimpse of how you interact with peers-are you timid or bossy, are you attentive or do you seek attention, do others turn to you instinctively, or do you compete for authority? The interviewer also wants to view what your tools of persuasion are: do you use argumentation and careful reasoning to gain support or do you divide and conquer? The interviewer might call on you to discuss an issue with the other candidates, solve a problem collectively, or discuss your peculiar qualifications in front of the other candidates. This environment might seem overwhelming or hard to control, but there are a few tips that will help you navigate the group interview successfully:
Observe to determine the dynamics the interviewer establishes and try to discern the rules of the game. If you are unsure of what is expected from you, ask for clarification from the interviewer.
Treat others with respect while exerting influence over others.
Avoid overt power conflicts, which will make you look uncooperative and immature.
Keep an eye on the interviewer throughout the process so that you do not miss important cues.
Lunch interview
A lunch interview is simply an interview held over lunch. It takes a different approach and different preparation. The interview will probably be slightly longer than normal.
Lunch Interview Etiquette
Do not worry too much about lunch interview etiquette, employers are more interested in your ability to do the job rather than your table manners although a certain level of education and manners have to be shown. If you follow the normal table manners you will be fine unless VIP dining is part of the job.
Do not: Sneeze on food. Dunk bread in soup. Be rude to the waiter. Get drunk. Place elbows on table. Speak with your mouth full of food. Chew with your mouth open.
Lunch interview Tips
Check out the restaurant. The menu could be on their web site. If not, stop by and have a look.
Choose a small, light meal. You will be talking more than the interviewer so he will finish first.
Avoid meals which will give you a strong breath.
Avoid meals which require a lot of chewing.
Avoid things that have a lot of fluid, such as soups etc.
Avoid things that are hard to eat such as lobster, oysters and the like.
Give more attention to the interviewer and less to your lunch.
Make sure your lips are clean and wipe them often. Choose something in the same price range as your interviewer.
Do not complain about the food.
Do not complain about the food.
Do not drink alcohol during your lunch interview.
If unpredictable situations happen during the lunch interview stay composed and show a sense of humor.
Follow the what to wear for a job interview guide.
If unpredictable situations happen during the lunch interview stay composed and show a sense of humor.
Follow the what to wear for a job interview guide.
Video Interview Benefits
The use of video interviewing is growing. It started with high tech companies, but diverse employers are increasingly aware of the benefits of web based video interviewing. There is consistency - all candidates are asked the same set of questions. Questions can be specifically tailored for the job the employer is hiring for. Hiring managers have the opportunity to replay, review, and rate the interviews online, so they can compare candidates without having to remember who said what or review their notes.
The Video Interview Process
The company selects candidates for video interviews. Arrangements for an interview are scheduled - either at a company office, an off-site location with a webcam setup, or via a webcam sent to the applicant. A tutorial will provide instructions on the webcam and the interview. There will be 10 - 15 questions related to the job the company is hiring for. The applicant will have 30 seconds to read the question and two minutes to respond.
Mark also shared his suggestions on how to get ready for a video interview and how to make sure your interview goes well.
Video Interview Tips
Review all the instructions. Ask for help (which is typically available online or by telephone) if you're not sure how the webcam works or if you have questions.
Follow the directions.
Dress appropriately in professional interview attire, just like you would for an in-person interview.
Practice - if you have a webcam, record yourself to see how you appear on camera.
Be aware of your surroundings and the lighting.
Look at the camera, not down at the desk or table.
