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Interviewing: Your Minute In The Spotlight
Originally By Amy Lindgren
TYPES OF INTERVIEWS:
There are many types of job interviews, some more common than others. It's
a good idea to understand the different styles, since you won't know in advance what you might find.
One-on-One
This is the most common type of interview. The job seeker and the employer
talk together, usually for 15 to 45 minutes. Often the interviewer will sit behind a desk or
table, with the applicant on the other side. Your main strategy in this interview will be to
form a bond with the interviewer and share the information that will help him or her decide to hire you.
Panel
In this situation, a group of three or more interviewers sit in a half-circle, or
at a long table, and the job seeker sits in from of them. Or everyone may be seated around a conference
table, with the job seeker at one end. The interviewers may all ask question, or they may have a
spokesperson. This type of interview can be confusing and stressful. On the other hand, it gives you
the chance to see many of the people you'd be working with. Your main strategy is to appear calm and
avoid making mistakes. You also want to make eye contact with each person, since it may not be clear
who is the decision-maker. Gather business cards from each person before you leave, or otherwise note
their titles and spelling of their names. You will need this information for your follow-up. It also
helps during the interview if you know the names of the interviewers.
Group
In rare circumstances, you might be "interviewed" by a group. For example,
a head librarian or school principal may be asked to appear before a group of students or library patrons
and answer questions. This happens rarely, and only after one or two interviews have already taken
place. Again, your strategy is to appear calm and avoid making mistakes.
Lunch
Sometimes the interviewer will invite a job applicant to a "lunch interview".
This can be very awkward, but it can also tell you a lot about a potential employer. Order simple
foods, don't drink alcohol, and don't talk with your mouth full! Use good manners and you'll be fine.
But beware: don't get so relaxed that you share information you meant to keep to yourself.
Tour
This usually happens after the formal meeting, but it's still a part of the
interview. In this case, the applicant is brought around the plant or office and introduced to other
workers. This is usually a very good sign. The interviewer likes you enough to spend time showing
you around. The hardest part about a tour is getting peoples names straight. Don't worry about it.
Just concentrate on looking friendly and competent.
Informal or Unscheduled
This most commonly happens when a job seeker stops by with a resume or
application. The manager may decide to meet for a few minutes, even though the interview wasn't
scheduled. You may have the advantage, since you knew you were stopping by and the manager didn't.
In this situation, keep an eye on the clock. You've interrupted the manager's work, so be ready to
leave after a few minutes. Always thank him or her for spending time with you.
Situational
This is really a style of interviewing, more than a type of interview. In this case,
the interviewer asks the questions as if you already had the position. "What would you do if" or
"Pretend you were supervising three workers and one of them" It helps if you think fast on your
feet. If that's not easy for you, you need to practice. The trick in situational interviews is to
appear confident but not cocky. Don't assume your way is the right way to do things. Instead, start
your answer with: "One thing I might do"
Stress
In this style, the interviewer does everything possible to make you uncomfortable.
Methods include staring at you, asking questions in a hostile way, giving you a bad chair to sit in,
intentionally mispronouncing your name, etc. The idea is to create stress and see how you react.
Luckily, these interviews are very rare. Being patient, respectful and slow to anger will help you get
through this meeting. If you are physically uncomfortable, feel free to change the situation. Ask
for a better chair, change positions so the sun is not in your eyes, etc.
No matter what type or style of interview you have, you can prepare yourself and do well.
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