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