Interview Types

Every interview you participate in will be unique: the people you meet with, the interview setting, and the questions you’ll be asked will all be different from interview to interview. The various factors that characterize any given interview can contribute to the sense of adventure and excitement you feel. But it’s also normal to feel a little nervous about what lies ahead. With so many unknowns, how can you plan to nail the interview no matter what comes up?

A good strategy for planning is to anticipate the type of interview you may find yourself in. There are common formats for job interviews, described in detail, below. By knowing a bit more about each type and being aware of techniques that work for each, you can plan to be on your game no matter what form your interview takes.

Check with your career services office to see if you can do a mock interview to get some practice. Also ask if your school subscribes to a service such as Big Interview, a platform that allows you to use virtual tools to practice your interview skills.

You can view the transcript for “Big Interview – Simple Software for Better Interview Skills” here (opens in a new window).

Screening Interviews

Screening interviews might best be characterized as “weeding-out” interviews. They ordinarily take place over the phone or in another low-stakes environment in which the interviewer has maximum control over the amount of time the interview takes. Screening interviews are generally short because they glean only basic information about you. If you are scheduled to participate in a screening interview, you might safely assume that you have some competition for the job and that the company is using this strategy to whittle down the applicant pool. With this kind of interview, your goal is to win a face-to-face interview. For this first shot, though, prepare well and challenge yourself to shine. Try to stand out from the competition and be sure to follow up with a thank-you note.

Phone or Web Conference Interviews

If you are geographically separated from your prospective employer, you may be invited to participate in a phone interview or online interview instead of meeting face-to-face. Technology, of course, is a good way to bridge distances. The fact that you’re not there in person doesn’t make it any less important to be fully prepared, though. In fact, you may wish to be all the more on your toes to compensate for the distance barrier.

Best Practices for a Video Interview

Test your technology. Make sure your equipment (phone, computer, Internet connection, etc.) is fully charged and works. 

Set up your space. Make sure the environment is quiet and well-lit. Position your camera at eye level and choose a neutral background that is not distracting.

Dress professionally. Avoid wearing distracting patterns. If you are unsure of what to wear, dressing more formally instead of too casually is a safer choice.

Prepare your materials. Have a copy of your resume, cover letter, and relevant documents nearby and note-taking implements handy.

Make eye contact by looking at your camera when speaking. It may seem awkward not to look at your interviewer’s face on the screen but looking directly at the camera will result in you appearing to make eye contact with your interviewer.

One-on-One Interviews

The majority of job interviews are conducted in this format—just you and a single interviewer—likely with the manager you would report to and work with. The one-on-one format gives you both a chance to see how well you connect and how well your talents, skills, and personalities mesh. You can expect to be asked questions like, “Why would you be good for this job?” and “Tell me about yourself.” Many interviewees prefer the one-on-one format because it allows them to spend in-depth time with the interviewer. Rapport can be built. As always, be very courteous and professional. Have a portfolio handy of your best work.

Panel Interviews

An efficient format for meeting a candidate is a panel interview, in which perhaps four to five coworkers meet at the same time with a single interviewee. The coworkers compose the search committee or search panel, which may consist of different company representatives such as human resources, management, and staff. One advantage of this format for the committee is that meeting together gives them a common experience to reflect on afterward. In a panel interview, listen carefully to questions from each panelist, and try to connect fully with each panelist. Be sure to write down names and titles so you can send individual thank-you notes after the interview.

Serial Interviews

Serial interviews are a combination of one-on-one meetings with a group of interviewers, typically conducted as a series of meetings staggered throughout the day. Ordinarily, this type of interview is for higher-level jobs, when it’s important to meet at length with major stakeholders. If your interview process is designed this way, you will need to be ultra-prepared as you will be answering many in-depth questions. Stay alert.

Lunch Interviews

In some higher-level positions, candidates are taken to lunch or dinner, especially if this is a second interview (a call-back interview). If this is you, count yourself lucky and be on your best behavior because even if the lunch meeting is unstructured and informal, it’s still an official interview. You are not expected to pay or even to offer to pay. But, as always, you must send a thank-you note.

If a meal is part of the candidate selection process, even if it is not called an interview and is described as a chance to learn more about the company, treat it like an interview.

• Do not order an alcoholic beverage, don’t order something messy to eat, and don’t order the most expensive item on the menu.
• Do make sure to use your best table manners.

Group Interviews

Group interviews comprise several interviewees and perhaps only one or two interviewers who may make a presentation to the assembled group. This format allows an organization to quickly prescreen candidates. It also gives candidates a chance to quickly learn about the company. As with all interview formats, you are being observed. How do you behave with your group? Do you assume a leadership role? Are you quiet but attentive? What kind of personality is the company looking for? A group interview may reveal these traits.