| By knowing the kinds of interviews used and the | | | | discuss the prospect of your employment with their |
| reason an employer is using a particular type for your | | | | organization. |
| interview you will be better prepared because you | | | | There are companies where, if just one person |
| understand the process and you know what they | | | | opposes your employment, you will be eliminated as |
| are looking for at each step of the way. It is | | | | a viable candidate. Because you have a panel for this |
| imperative that prior to your interview you find out | | | | type of interview, it is very important to realize that |
| what kind the company uses because you will want | | | | you must connect with each person there. It is |
| to focus your preparation in that direction. | | | | advisable to maintain primary eye contact with the |
| BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW | | | | person who asked the question that you are |
| This is the most commonly used type of interview | | | | currently addressing. However, you will also want to |
| by employers. With this interview technique, the | | | | glance at other panel members and make direct eye |
| interviewer will ask questions that require you to | | | | contact with each of them periodically. This will |
| describe situations where you have demonstrated | | | | ensure that you are connecting with each of them as |
| certain skills. It is used to ascertain your reactions, | | | | well. The more people you can make a connection |
| behavior patterns, ability to think quickly and rationally. | | | | with during the interview will go a long way in |
| The answers you give will be scored and compared | | | | demonstrating that you work well with others and |
| to other candidates. Interviewers utilizing this method | | | | are a team player. |
| will usually have a few skill categories to evaluate you | | | | Team interviews often have additional elements that |
| on such as leadership, management, problem solving, | | | | an individual interview does not. If you find yourself in |
| team building, etc. Each category will most likely have | | | | front of a panel that wants to control the interview, |
| several situational questions. When asked a question | | | | do not turn it into a power struggle. Relax and follow |
| it is best to first determine which skill the interviewer | | | | their lead when this occurs. However, continue to |
| is looking for and gear your answer towards that | | | | answer their questions as thoroughly as you would |
| particular skill. | | | | for any other interview. In this type of interview it is |
| For most candidates, this is the most comfortable | | | | not uncommon for different people to ask you the |
| type of interview because it is what they have | | | | same question at different times during the interview. |
| usually gone through before, and it is more often | | | | This is not poor communication on their part, but |
| used for one-on-one settings. In this case you are | | | | rather a common tactic to see if you will answer it |
| more likely to be at ease talking back and forth with | | | | the same each time. Remain consistent. |
| only one person rather than a panel. It is also the | | | | MULTIPLE INTERVIEWS |
| best one for you to hit a home run in if you are | | | | These can take place in succession, one right after |
| properly prepared because you only have to impress | | | | the other on the same day among separate, key |
| one person, not a group. | | | | individuals of the company, or may be placed days |
| PANEL INTERVIEW | | | | apart depending upon the firm's situation and |
| Many companies, especially those larger in size or | | | | circumstances. You might interview with one person |
| revenue will ask several people to sit in on the | | | | in each session, or perhaps with a panel or two on |
| interview in order to obtain a wider perspective of | | | | separate sessions, and a combination thereof. Multiple |
| you, your skills and abilities as viewed by a variety of | | | | interviews on the same day are very taxing, both on |
| people. Depending upon the position you are | | | | the candidate and on the organization. But firm's using |
| interviewing for, the panel may be comprised of | | | | this method do so because it affords for a shortened |
| peers at the workplace: office managers, hiring | | | | evaluation period and can help move the hiring |
| managers, president, vice president, and/or | | | | process along at a much quicker pace. They are |
| supervisors at different levels. These interviews | | | | especially used if the firm is paying to bring a |
| usually consist of three to five interviewers with a | | | | candidate in from out of town, and time and money |
| stake in the selection of the candidate for the | | | | are of the essence. |
| organization. They are likely the people you will work | | | | With multiple interviews on the same day you need |
| for and with on a regular basis, but not always. | | | | to be at your best and knowing this method will be |
| Regardless, your composure is very important in this | | | | employed is absolutely critical for you to know in |
| sort of interview. | | | | advance so you can prepare. If caught off guard, |
| At some interviews the panel may ask you questions | | | | you run the risk of giving less than your best |
| as a whole, while at other interviews one or two | | | | performance and this could drop you from the |
| people may ask all of the questions. Regardless of | | | | running. Thus, it is imperative you discover this in |
| the set-up, be aware that everyone in the room with | | | | advance when you are confirming your interview |
| you is evaluating you and will meet afterwards to | | | | appointment details. |