How to Win the Job Interview: Know the 3 Types of Interviews to Achieve Success

By knowing the kinds of interviews used and thediscuss the prospect of your employment with their
reason an employer is using a particular type for yourorganization.
interview you will be better prepared because youThere are companies where, if just one person
understand the process and you know what theyopposes your employment, you will be eliminated as
are looking for at each step of the way. It isa viable candidate. Because you have a panel for this
imperative that prior to your interview you find outtype of interview, it is very important to realize that
what kind the company uses because you will wantyou must connect with each person there. It is
to focus your preparation in that direction.advisable to maintain primary eye contact with the
BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEWperson who asked the question that you are
This is the most commonly used type of interviewcurrently addressing. However, you will also want to
by employers. With this interview technique, theglance at other panel members and make direct eye
interviewer will ask questions that require you tocontact with each of them periodically. This will
describe situations where you have demonstratedensure 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 compareddemonstrating that you work well with others and
to other candidates. Interviewers utilizing this methodare a team player.
will usually have a few skill categories to evaluate youTeam 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 havefront of a panel that wants to control the interview,
several situational questions. When asked a questiondo not turn it into a power struggle. Relax and follow
it is best to first determine which skill the interviewertheir lead when this occurs. However, continue to
is looking for and gear your answer towards thatanswer 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 comfortablenot uncommon for different people to ask you the
type of interview because it is what they havesame question at different times during the interview.
usually gone through before, and it is more oftenThis is not poor communication on their part, but
used for one-on-one settings. In this case you arerather a common tactic to see if you will answer it
more likely to be at ease talking back and forth withthe same each time. Remain consistent.
only one person rather than a panel. It is also theMULTIPLE INTERVIEWS
best one for you to hit a home run in if you areThese can take place in succession, one right after
properly prepared because you only have to impressthe other on the same day among separate, key
one person, not a group.individuals of the company, or may be placed days
PANEL INTERVIEWapart depending upon the firm's situation and
Many companies, especially those larger in size orcircumstances. You might interview with one person
revenue will ask several people to sit in on thein each session, or perhaps with a panel or two on
interview in order to obtain a wider perspective ofseparate sessions, and a combination thereof. Multiple
you, your skills and abilities as viewed by a variety ofinterviews on the same day are very taxing, both on
people. Depending upon the position you arethe candidate and on the organization. But firm's using
interviewing for, the panel may be comprised ofthis method do so because it affords for a shortened
peers at the workplace: office managers, hiringevaluation period and can help move the hiring
managers, president, vice president, and/orprocess along at a much quicker pace. They are
supervisors at different levels. These interviewsespecially used if the firm is paying to bring a
usually consist of three to five interviewers with acandidate in from out of town, and time and money
stake in the selection of the candidate for theare of the essence.
organization. They are likely the people you will workWith 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 thisemployed 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 questionsyou run the risk of giving less than your best
as a whole, while at other interviews one or twoperformance and this could drop you from the
people may ask all of the questions. Regardless ofrunning. Thus, it is imperative you discover this in
the set-up, be aware that everyone in the room withadvance when you are confirming your interview
you is evaluating you and will meet afterwards toappointment details.