“ INTERVIEW ”

                                           “ INTERVIEW ”

An interview is a conversation where questions are asked and answers are given In common parlance, the word "interview" refers to a one-on-one conversation with one person acting in the role of the interviewer and the other in the role of the interviewee.                                      

 Different Types of Interviews

Formal? Informal? Panel? Telephone? .... Getting ready for an interview? Take a read of these different types of interviews and make sure you're ready for you're next time to impress.

So you’ve got your foot in the door and it’s time to shine at your first interview. All you have to do now is prepare. Easy! If you know how…

                 

The more you know about the style of the interview, the better you can prepare.

Screening Interview

Before you even get asked in for an interview, you might receive an initial phone call from the employer. It could be one of their Human Resources people wanting to ask you a series of questions that will help them decide if they want to bring you in for a face-to-face discussion. So be alert and on your best behaviour when your phone rings.

Selection Interviews

 

Selection interviews are typically conducted onsite at the hiring company. The purpose of a selection interview is to determine whether a candidate will be selected for the position he or she is interviewing for. A selection interview is typically more rigorous than a screening interview. At this point, a company is trying to decide whether or not you should either be moved to the next step in the hiring process or an offer is going to be extended, so there will be more scrutiny than with a screening interview. The company wants to know - Are you qualified for the job? Are you a good cultural fit? Can you make an immediate impact, or will you need extensive training? Questions will be more specific and your answers will need to be more detailed.

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The Telephone Interview

Often companies request an initial telephone interview before inviting you in for a face to face meeting in order to get a better understanding of the type of candidate you are. The one benefit of this is that you can have your notes out in front of you. You should do just as much preparation as you would for a face to face interview, and remember that your first impression is vital. Some people are better meeting in person than on the phone, so make sure that you speak confidently, with good pace and try to answer all the questions that are asked.
 

The Face-to-Face Interview

This can be a meeting between you and one member of staff or even two members.
 

The Panel Interview

These interviews involve a number of people sitting as a panel with one as chairperson. This type of interview is popular within the public sector.
 

The Group Interview

Several candidates are present at this type of interview. You will be asked to interact with each other by usually a group discussion. You might even be given a task to do as a team, so make sure you speak up and give your opinion.
 

The Sequential Interview

These are several interviews in turn with a different interviewer each time. Usually, each interviewer asks questions to test different sets of competencies. However, if you are asked the same questions, just make sure you answer each one as fully as the previous time.
 

The Lunch / Dinner Interview

This type of interview gives the employer a chance to assess your communication and interpersonal skills as well as your table manners! So make sure you order wisely (no spaghetti Bolognese) and make sure you don’t spill your drink (non-alcoholic of course!).

All these types of interviews can take on different question formats, so once you’ve checked with your potential employer which type of interview you’ll be attending, get preparing!

 

Here’s a list of interview formats that you should prepare your answers for;
 

Competency Based Interviews

These are structured to reflect the competencies the employer is seeking for the particular job. These will usually be detailed in the job spec so make sure you read it through, and have your answers ready for questions such as “Give me an example of a time you worked as a team to achieve a common goal.” For more examples of competency based questions click here.
 

Formal / Informal Interviews

Some interviews may be very formal, others may be very informal and seem like just a chat about your interests. However, it is important to remember that you are still being assessed, and topics should be friendly and clean!
 

Portfolio Based Interviews

In the design / digital or communications industry it is likely that you will be asked to take your portfolio along or show it online. Make sure all your work is up to date without too little or too much. Make sure that your images if in print are big enough for the interviewer to see properly, and always test your online portfolio on all Internet browsers before turning up.
 

The Second Interview

You’ve past the first interview and you’ve had the call to arrange the second. Congratulations! But what else is there to prepare for? You did as much as you could for the first interview! Now is the time to look back and review. You maybe asked the same questions you were asked before, so review them and brush up your answers. Review your research about the company; take a look at the ‘About Us’ section on their website, get to know their client base, search the latest news on the company and find out what the company is talking about.
 

General Interview Preparation

Here’s a list of questions that you should consider your answers for when preparing…

• Why do you want this job?
• Why are you the best person for the job?
• What relevant experience do you have?
• Why are you interested in working for this company?
• What can you contribute to this company?
• What do you know about this company?
• What challenges are you looking for in a position?
• Why do you want to work for this company?
• Why should we hire you?
• What are your salary requirements?

Ever experienced an interview not listed above? Have a story to tell about an interesting interview you've been on? Let us know by commenting below!

If you've found these helpful, please take a look at our other interview related blogs!

                   

Job interviewing never seems to get any easier - even when you have gone on more interviews than you can count. You are always meeting new people, having to sell yourself and your skills, and often getting the third degree about what you know or don't know. And, you have to stay upbeat and enthusiastic throughout each interview. That said, there are ways to make a job interview much less stressful. Invest a little time prior to the interview and it will be much easier to handle.

7 Interview Tips That Will Help You Get the Job Here are job interview tips to help prepare you to interview effectively.

Proper preparation will help alleviate some of the stress involved in job interviews and the more you prepare, the more comfortable and successful you will be interviewing.

1. Practice answering interview questions and practice your responses to the typicaljob interview questions and answers most employers ask. Think of concrete examples you can use to highlight your skills. Providing evidence of your successes is a great way to promote your candidacy. Also have a list of your own questions to ask the employer ready.

 2. Research Do your homework about the employer and the industry so you are ready for the question What do you know about this company? Know the interviewer's name and use it during the job interview. If you're not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the interview. Try to relate what you have learned about the company when answering questions.

3. Get Ready Make sure your interview attire is neat, tidy and appropriate for the type of firm you are interviewing with. Bring a nice portfolio with copies of your resume. Include a pen and paper for note taking.

4. Be On Time Be on time for the interview. On time means five to ten minutes early. If need be, take some time to drive to the interview location ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there. Here's more onpreparing for an interview.

5. Stay Calm During the job interview try to relax and stay as calm possible. Remember that your body language says as much about you as your answers to the questions. Proper preparation will allow you to exude confidence. Take a moment to regroup. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Listen to the entire question (active listening) before you answer and pay attention - you will be embarrassed if you forget the question. Check out these tips for avoiding job interview stress to help stay calm. Also review our interview tips for introverts.

6. Show What You Know Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.  When discussing your career accomplishments match them to what the company is looking for. Use examples from your research when answering questions, “I noticed that when you implemented a new software system last year, your customer satisfaction ratings improved dramatically. I am well versed in the latest technologies from my experience with developing software at ABC, and appreciate a company who strives to be a leader in its industry.” Here's how to make a match between your expertise and the company's requirements.

7. Follow Up Always follow-up with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the position. You can also include any details you may have forgotten to mention during your interview. If you interview with multiple people send each one a personal thank you note. Send your thank you note (email is fine) within 24 hours of your interview.

Ethical Issues in Interviews

These notes are based on good practice as identified in a survey of Ethics Proposals to the College.

·         It is important that procedures for interviews are laid out in writing, and are clearly explained to interviewees before interviews proceed. It is expected that interviewees will be supplied with the written version of these procedures.

·         Interviewees have to be happy with the location of the interview, and should be offered alternatives (public/private).

·         The interviewer should be aware of issues involving his/her own safety when undertaking an interview. Contact details of places visited on the day of each interview should be left with a friend or colleague.

·         Confidentiality is an important concern. Interviewees should not normally be named (unless their permission has been explicitly sought, and this should only be done where a name is essential for the pursuit of the research in question).

·         Permission. Any recorded contribution, in written form, on tape etc., or in notes taken from the interview by the interviewer, should be used in accordance with the wishes of the interviewee. If possible, interviewees should give their assent in writing and if this is not possible an explanation must be given. If material is to be published or preserved as a public resource, then permission will need to be explicitly given, preferably in writing.

Mark Kevin Geraldez

Nhel Alfred Abogado

Queenie Eloise Jimenes

Delfin Juanson III

John Raphael Dagcutan