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