|
Interview Types and How to Prepare
In most companies, interviews are the only or most important
tool to make a hiring decision. As a job-seeker, you should
always go to an interview with a fresh mind and clear objective
of what you want to accomplish. There are several different
types of interviews and you often will not know what kind of
interview you'll encounter until you arrive. It is important to
understand these different types of interviews and how to
prepare for them.
Due to time constraints, telephone interviews are becoming more
common. It is a typical way to make a preliminary assessment of
a candidate's qualifications. Sometimes phone interviews are
scheduled in advance; others are calls with no advance warning.
If the time is inconvenient for you, it is acceptable for you to
let the caller know and arrange an appointment another time.
-
Find a quiet place and have all of your job search material
such as, your resume, cover letters, references, etc.
-
At the beginning, make sure to verify the name and title of
the interviewer. Be sure to use it during the interview and
write him/her a thank you note after the call.
-
Your answers should be brief and focused. Don't forget to give
the interviewer the chance to cut in if he/she has any question
or wants to change the subject.
-
Ask questions regarding to the job, company, hiring process,
etc.
This type
of interview is efficient to have several people interview you
at one time instead of individually.
-
Remember to speak with all the people in the interview group,
not just the one who asked you a question. However, focus your
attention on the person asking the question.
-
Usually there is one key person who controls the interview.
This interviewer could be your direct manager or the decision
maker, so pay special attention to them.
-
When the interview is finished, you should thank the entire
group and address any specific comments or requests to the lead
interviewer.
If you are applying for a small company that doesn't have a
recruiting program, you may meet an inexperienced interviewer.
The inexperienced interviewer may not know how to take the lead
and will let you take control the conversation. He/she may not
ask the appropriate questions related to your skills or
background.
The interviewer wants to know how your past performance can
predict your future work. You will be asked about how you
handled previous situations. Many people make mistake by not
providing enough detail or examples.
Make sure you include all of the following details:
- Situation: explain in detail the problem (company problem)
- Task: what was your task
- Action: how did you solve it
- Result: what was the result
A stress interview is designed to put a candidate under stress
to assess his or her reactions. One example is that the
interviewer will bring up a controversial subject and disagree
with you.
- Stay calm, don't take it personally. Remember that what you
answer isn't important, but how you answer is.
If you are applying to a consulting firm or similar, it's likely
that you will encounter this kind of interview. It helps the
interviewer analyze your critical thinking skills. For example,
the question may be "How many motorcycles are in Siem Reap city?" The interviewer is interested to know the process you use
to get to the answer.
Back to
Top
|
