How To Nail Different Kinds Of Interviews

Your job evaluation is not only based on a 2-page resume, but mainly on the way you fair in your interview.

Different interviewing methods ensue different lookouts and even more varied ways in which you should respond to each of these different testing styles and methods. Preparing for an interview does not only need best of your skills and knowledge to be put to use, but also being aware of the different formats of interviews and what should be your approach to each of them.

Apart from this, researching the company and preparing for the questions likely to be asked is mandatory.

From group interviews to a lunch interview to even a presentation interview, there are many different methods of knowing if the interviewee is apt for the job.

We will guide you through the varied interview styles and how you can bag that ‘so-desired job’ using these simple tips when the unexpected interview sessions are what you can expect.

The Traditional face-to-face interview

In the traditional set-up, the hiring manager intends to know if your skills match the requirements of the company and the questions asked are simply resume-based, about your job experiences and what new values will you bring to the company. “Why should we hire you”, “Say something about yourself” or “Where do you see yourself in two years” are the common questions for this type of job interview. Most companies swear by this method when it comes to formal interviews.

Your answers should be well-prepared and you must be as precise, honest and specific as you can be. You need to be convincing enough with your answers for the interviewer to consider you as the ideal candidate.

Multiple rounds of Interview

Well, it can be tricky when you have to go through several rounds for getting employed at one position, especially when you are asked the same question in every round. It becomes very difficult to give different answers or adopt varied approaches to the same question each time. These interviews might take place on the same day or over few weeks. These interviews can be traditional, group and panel interviews. While private companies and small start-ups will wrap it up in a single interview or at the most a written exam and an interview, a bigger company or a multinational firm will conduct several rounds.

The fact that you are called for the second round makes it evident that you have been good enough in the first round and they would like to know more about you before deciding whether or not to absorb you. You might meet three to five people, people from the department you have applied for, the HR, a supervisor and one of the office employees who is at a higher rank.

Your presence of mind, alert self and zealous personality will crack the deal. Make sure you get to know everything about the structure of the company, the processes involved, the challenges and responsibilities of the job position, et al before you accept the final offer. Your comments, tips and viewpoints on the company’s agendas and newer techniques might be asked for and appreciated if you do well at this.

Phone Interview or Screening

Lasting from 10-30 minutes usually, a phone interview requires your utmost attention to what the person at the other end asks and wants to know. Your CV, the job profile, your references, if any, are the most required items that you need to place in front of you while attending the phone call. The phone interview may eventually lead you to the one-on-one interview. The questions are generally asked by the HR and range from your previous job experience, your areas of expertise to knowledge areas and skill sets.

However, as you cannot be judged on your body language, it is essential that you reply with organized, polished answers in a positive-sounding, vibrant, enthusiastic tone. Choose a place where there is negligible background noise and has a pleasant temperature. Avoid multi-tasking and getting distracted. Your already prepared answers to common questions can come in handy here. If asked about the salary and your current or previous CTC, just mention a range or say that you need to assess the job position and compensation benefits of the company before negotiating the salary.  Don’t forget to find out what the next step is.

Group Interviews

This kind of interview is usually conducted with two or more applicants together and there are also two or more interviewers. The applicants are pitted against each other where all have applied for the same position. These interviews are conducted to test if you can maintain your calm and composure and yet give an idea of your professionalism and leadership skills when under group pressure. Your methods of handling stress, your fluency at answering and your interactions will be carefully noted.

Just do not let stress take the better of you and handle the situation keeping in mind that you deserve to be in the company as much or probably even more than the other candidates.

Panel Interviews

This is an even more critical situation for interviewees than the group interviews as this interview is conducted by more than one of the authorities who interview you all at the same time. Your ability to handle pressure situations is put under test.

You need to address each interviewer personally and maintain eye contacts with each of them while you give your answers. Stay collected and patient even if you see one of the panellists busy with his/her laptop. S/he is as carefully noting your body language and answers as the others.

Web conferencing/Video or Skype Interview

If the corporate office is far from where you stay, and then web conferencing might be a common way to interview. You may have this interview at home, or any other branch of the company that is remotely located. It would be a mistake to treat this interview casually as they would still be expecting the same level of professionalism as in a traditional interview. Your body language is studied here too and if you are doing this interview from home, the space within the visibility range of the camera must be neat and decent, and there should be no distracting background noise. Switch off your cell phone or keep it on a silent mode and ensure that the environment around you is as quite as possible.

Lunch Interviews

Even if the interview setting is a more relaxed one, you need to maintain the same professional etiquettes as you would in a proper official setup as your actions, behaviour and responses are monitored and noted. Try to strike a chord with the interviewer here and go by the table manner rulebook. Also avoid any experimental dishes or drinks and take care not to order expensive food on the menu.

It may be a little unnerving to eat in front of a complete stranger however, it might be good opportunity for you to show your potential boss that you are as composed and professional in a setup outside office as you will be in a corporate office environment.

This can be a follow-up interview and may involve more than one company member and this is conducted only to test how well you can fit in in the company culture. Your questions about the company will be more than welcomed here.

Presentation Interview

Sometimes the managers want to see you perform than listen to what you have in mind and what you can do. You might be given a business issue and asked to present solutions or give innovative ideas to the same through a presentation. 15 minutes or less is what you will get for this.

Outline the basic problem and give as many solutions as possible. But focus on solutions you think are the apt or best ones. Think and mention the resources needed for implementing the solutions. Present the content in a logical way on the board or screen and do not try out any fancy methods.

Behavioural Interview

Here you are more checked for your handling of stressful situations and behavioural patterns rather than correct or acceptable answers. Your past actions are what you are judged upon rather than what you promise for the future. You may be asked questions on how you have handled tacky situations in the past like tough clients or questioning your knowledge, maybe in your previous job.

You can format your resume accordingly for this kind of interview and include some of the work challenges and how you overcame them.

Stress Interview

This interview can include rude and sarcastic comments and questions and you may have to wait long before the interview is finally conducted. The voice might be firm and they will intentionally leave long pauses in between their questions to unnerve you, but your calm replies will be what will win you the job.

Some other types of interview situations include case and structured interviews. You may be given on-the-spot assignments and written tests that are all based on testing your skills, experience and knowledge. Be yourself, have a decent body language, avoid extra gestures, maintain eye contact and be prepared for the questions. Wear a positive attitude and bang on! You are ready to get the job.