Great news! Your candidature interested a hiring manager, you are already among the cream of the crop, now you just need to shine above the other candidates at the interview. Often companies use different types of interview methods to different types of jobs and you have to be ready to handle each of them. To make it easier, we prepared a list of advice that help you to pass any type of interview successfully.
1. Phone interview
This type of interview that everybody faced up with at least one time. The main aim of phone screening is to find out if you fit the company’s culture, values and have enough knowledge, experience, and qualifications for the position. As usual, interviewer asks direct questions, so you need to be prepared. We didn’t list the most common questions on phone screening interview, but here are some tips that help you to ace that phone call.
Dos
- Find a quiet place. If you have barking dogs and noisy children ask for a few minutes to get yourself relocated or dislodged from that situation.
- Clarify the details. Don’t be afraid to ask the basics about the company and the job if you don’t remember.
- Use notes to your advantage.
- Be initiative to keep trying to reach the recruiter, leave your phone number each time and your email address.
Dont’s
- Don’t answer questions right away
- Don’t rush. Speak slowly at all times, even a tad slower than you speak in real life.
- Don’t speak too much. Listen to the questions attentively and make your answers short and clear.
- Don’t be afraid of asking to set a time. It could be even that same day but later.
- Don't interrupt the interviewer!
2. Face to face interview
The next step after successfully passed phone interview is – one on one interview. The interviewer wants to see how you will fit into the company and will ask questions to test your listed skills and experience. Your goal is to build a rapport with the interviewer and market you to them. Check the list of tips to pass in-person interview perfectly.
Dos
- Preparations matters: make a research of the industry, company, and people you’ll potentially be working for.
- Dress the part and feel comfortable.
- Focus on the questions.
- Prepare questions to ask, because you’re interviewing them as well.
- Send ‘Thank you!’ notes to each person who interviewed you.
Be in a good mood.
Dont’s
- Don’t be late!
- Turn on your cell phone.
- Don’t go off on a rant and keep your answers short and to the point.
- Don’t keep silent and remember the interview truth “no questions = no interest”.
- Don’t lock yourself into a figure, give a range or explain you need to learn more about the position.
3. Stress interview
If you found two previous types stressful, forget about that, because this one will make you feel like a fish out of water. Stress interview stands out of a traditional interview and performed to see how you react to unexpected situations and pressures. The interviewer can be sarcastic, argumentative and rude with you. This is the attempt to unnerve you and evaluate how you act under this type of pressure. Don’t worry, check the tips.
Dos
- Stay cool!
- Expose your creativity and innovative thinking.
- Any answer suit. If you don’t know the answer tell the interviewer you will find out the answer and get back to them.
- Adopt and play with them.
- Make it fun.
Dont’s
- Don’t say I don’t know.
- Don’t give the emotions rule you.
- Feel the edge of the sarcasm.
- Don’t play rude too much.
- Don’t give in to emotions.
4. Panel interview
Some companies find traditional interview boring and implement other interviewing formats. Panel interviews is a dynamic one with more than one interviewer. It is performed as a time saver method and as a way to see how you deal under more pressures than at a traditional interview. There are different possible scenarios in a panel interview, you will probably be bombarded with questions, so follow panel interview tips to get ready.
Dos
- Find out who will be on the interview panel.
- Shake hands with each person.
- Repeat their names during the introduction.
- Maintain eye contact with the panel member who is asking the current question.
- Identify the type of the question and answer appropriately.
Dont’s
- Don’t mix up interviewers’ names.
- Don’t lose eye contact.
- Don’t change your communication style to different interviewers.
- Try not to lose conversation connection.
- Don’t ignore one of the interviewers. Connect with them as individuals.
5. Group interview
In comparison to the panel interview, in a group interview, you meet with multiple candidates. It may be more stressful because you sit next to your competitors but there’re some pros as well. It saves time and the interviewer sees which candidates work well with others and fit the best. These interviews test your style, professionalism, leadership skills and the ability to function in a group under pressure. You will be judged on your answers, and how you interact with a group of peers and in stressful situations. Check dos/ dont’s list to ace an interview!
Dos
- Provide unique examples and accomplishments.
- Point out problems you faced up with and tell what the solution was.
- Make it personal. Share what you’re passionate about or describe the worst job you’ve ever had.
- Make your answers unique and notable in comparison to another interviewee.
Dont’s
- Don’t pay much attention to other applicants answers. Concentrate on your own
- Don’t compare yourself to other candidates.
- Don’t bring up the rear. Be enthusiastic and initiative.
- Don’t make fun of other candidates.
6. Behavioral interview
This method can take place during any of the above interview types, and it’s a test as to how well you have handled certain stressful situations in your past. Following the interview rounds, an interviewer will examine behavior patterns rather than correct answers. Shortly, the interview aim sounds - “past performance predicts future performance”. Be ready to answer a series of questions but before check this out.
Dos
- Refresh your memory before going on an interview.
- Review your resume to come up with a list of challenges you faced up with.
- Use stories and perform them with a great passion.
- Demonstrate all your competencies through the story-telling.
Dont’s
- The story shouldn’t be more than 3-5 min long.
- Don’t lose eye contact.
- Don’t lie. Describe only real situations and your specific skills.
- Don’t panic if you can’t remember the appropriate story, feel free to ask 5 extra minutes.
7. Video interview
Have you ever opened Skype not for talking with relatives but for interview call? It may seems that video interview is performed in the same manner as a face-to-face interview. It’s even easier, you may think because you’re at home or in any other place where you feel safe and sound. But remember recruiter can still see you, hear you and now he/she partly in your comfort zone. So, get prepared reading some tips.
Dos
- Organize the place well: turn off house/cell phones, close windows, close the door.
- Check the Internet connection (3 times!)
- Check your Skype username
- Check your webcam and microphone work properly.
- Find a place with good, daily light.
Dont’s
- Don’t take the interview at home if you’re not sure that nothing distract you.
- Messy surroundings.
- Don’t take it at the noisy place like a coffee shop.
- Don’t talk too fast and remember there’s a human at the other end.
- Don’t use gestures too much.
Need more detailed interview tips, take a look and stay tuned!
