Because a job opportunity is usually on the line, the types of interviews one is likely to encounter necessitate preparation and a fair amount of confidence. Formal interviews, phone interviews, panel interviews, sequential interviews, and even walk-in interviews are the most common types of interviews. Each of these interview types will require the candidate to demonstrate his or her abilities and demonstrate why he or she is the best candidate for the job; preparedness is the most important tool in the candidate’s arsenal, and regardless of the interview type, the candidate must be prepared to speak eloquently and professionally about the job and his or her qualifications.
A formal interview is probably the most common of the various interview types. In this type of interview, the candidate must meet the employer in person. In a specific order, the employer will ask several prepared questions — the same questions he or she will ask all candidates. The answers of the candidate may be recorded, and the employer is likely to take notes on them. Many of the questions will revolve around hypothetical scenarios, previous experiences, and qualifications. In an informal interview, the employer is likely to deviate from the scripted questions and steer the conversation in a different direction if he or she so desires.
Phone interviews are one of the few types of interviews that aren’t conducted in person, though video conferencing has now made this a thing of the past. Candidates and employers who are located in different parts of the state, country, or world conduct a phone interview. The questions asked in this type of interview are typically the same as those asked in a face-to-face interview, but additional questions about relocation and travel may be asked.
When a candidate is interviewed several people at the same time, this is known as a panel interview. Each person at the table will ask their own set of questions, and each interviewer will generally focus on a single topic to discuss. For example, one interviewer may inquire about the candidate’s background and experience, while another may focus on the candidate’s future objectives. The sequential interview is similar to the panel interview in that several people interview the candidate, but instead of all interviewers conducting the interview at the same time, they will each have a chance to interview the candidate one on one. This frequently necessitates the candidate answering the same question for several different people.