Interview Tips - Types of Interviews

Interview and Negotiate

Interview Tips
   • Types of Interviews
       º Informational Interviews

Schedule Interviews

Key Questions
   • Legal Interview Questions

Interview Follow-up

Salary Negotiation
   • Sample Salary Questions
     and Answers

Employee Benefits
    • Why They're Important
    • Types of Benefits
    • Useful Facts
    • Are You Ready to
      Negotiate?

There are many interview styles

Employers most often make the final decision to hire based on one or more interviews. Interviews are the best way for employers to verify qualifications and to evaluate how the person will "fit" into the organization. Different companies use different types of interviews.

Informational interviews
Telephone screening interview
In-person screening interview
Selection interview

Informational interviews

Informational Interviews are not job interviews. However, they are a good opportunity to get additional leads and referrals that will help you tap the “hidden job market” even when there are no current job openings.

Telephone screening interview

Employers use this type of interview to eliminate candidates based on essential criteria such as employment objective, education, or required skills. Since these interviews can often occur unexpectedly, it is important that your job search records are organized and kept where you can reach them at a moment's notice.

In-person screening interview

This interview is used to verify your qualifications for the position and to establish a preliminary impression of your attitude, interest, and professional "style." This interview is most often conducted by a professional screener from the company’s human resources department. At this stage, the screener’s goal is to determine if you are a candidate for meeting with the decision maker.

Selection interviews

These types of interviews are conducted by a decision maker. He or she meets with you to discuss your qualifications in detail and assess whether a working relationship can be established. You might be asked back to speak with the same person and/or with other managers or members of the work group. Each time, your ability to establish rapport and present yourself as the right person for the position is critical to achieving the next step. Even if there is only one decision maker, the opinions of the others will be sought and will probably have an effect on the outcome.

There are various types of Selection interviews:

Type of Selection interview	Description
Work sample interview	Gives you a chance to show samples of work you’ve done or demonstrate your skills. If you’re a graphic artist, for example, you show the pieces of work in your portfolio. If you’re a salesperson, you make a sales presentation. If you’re applying for a job as an office worker, you word-process a business letter.
Peer group interview	Provides an opportunity for you to meet and talk with your prospective coworkers. Just as in other interviews, the peer group will be evaluating you, determining how you "fit."
Group or panel interview	Consists of three or more people, all firing questions at you. Direct your answer to the individual asking the question, but strive to maintain some eye contact with the other members of the group.
Luncheon interview (also known as "The Meal")	Assesses how well you can handle yourself in a social situation. Company representatives may include the hiring manager, a human resources department member, and one or more peer employees. Choose your meal carefully. Make sure it is easy to eat, so you do not have to worry about spills.
Stress interview	Involves being asked offensive questions that are designed to deliberately make you uncomfortable. Keep your cool, take your time in responding to the questions, and when it’s all over, reward yourself.
Video conference interview	Uses video-conferencing technology to allow people from different locations to interview you without traveling. Practice in front of a mirror or have a friend videotape you to help ensure that you can effectively communicate via camera.

Source: Creative Job Search, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Page last updated in July 2008.