Job Search 101: The Different Types of Interview

Recruiters have their own ways of judging potential. Different types of interview narrow down their search for the right candidate to save them time. But if you're job hunting, you'll need to know what you're up against.

Learn more about the types of interview here and what you can do.

The Importance of Knowing the Types of Interview

Preparation is essential to boost your chances with recruiters. And part of that process means understanding the different types of interview you'll face.

Knowing what makes them different, you can prepare for your interview better. It will also help you stand out against other candidates and attract recruiters.

Different Types of Interviews

Recruiters use various interview types to understand you and other candidates as employees better. Some may even use more than one type to judge your skills.

How many types of interview do you need to prepare for? Here's a look at some of the most common ones.

1. Behavioral Interviews

   These dig deeper into the candidate's past experiences. Here, you'll highlight some of your achievements, mistakes, and other related details. Companies use this type of interview to help them predict how you might act as their employee.

2. Case Interviews

   These interviews test your problem-solving skills and attitude toward work. In this type, recruiters will give you a problem you'll have to solve or fix. It may be a real case they're facing or a fictional one.

3. Stress Interviews

   A stress interview shows how you'd naturally manage a stressful situation. The recruiter might give you a time-sensitive problem to solve. But they may also make noises and try to distract you while you're doing it. In this type of interview, the criteria are your multitasking and problem-solving skills.

4. Competency-based Interviews

   Competency-based interviews dig into your strengths and weaknesses as an employee. Companies use this to find someone who matches the criteria they want. The better you show your capabilities, the better your chances will be.

5. Group Interviews

   Group interviews are meant to recruit multiple candidates in a short time. The recruiter can ask questions to all or each candidate in a room. Some cases may even have you working with other applicants to judge your performance.

6. Panel Interviews

   This type of interview puts you in the hot seat. You need to impress multiple recruiters who may include managers from departments or experts in the company. You must impress all of them to ensure you'll get hired.

7. Video Interviews

   Interviews for remote positions are usually online for more convenience. Here are the two major types.

   1. Real-Time

      Recruiters video-call you online in real-time to ask questions about your background. But you may have to download specific software for this. The criteria for judging are usually the same as in-person interviews.

   2. Asynchronous

      Unlike real-time calls, an asynchronous interview can be done anytime and anywhere. Instead of a live call, you'll record your answers and send them to the recruiter. It's ideal when you and the recruiter have a big time difference.

8. Phone Interviews

   Phone interviews can be a casual step in a company's hiring process or the first in a multi-part recruitment. Candidates shortlisted for a role usually undergo this.

9. Restaurant Interviews

   Off-site interviews are an informal way of getting to know the candidate. But this is usually a test to gauge your personality and general behavior. Even if it seems relaxed, it's still important to stay alert and act professionally.

Be Ready for Any Scenario, Any Time

Recruiters take different approaches to test the potential of every candidate. As such, they can use different types of interviews to find what they need. For their part, job hunters must be ready and know what they may be up against.

Learn how to efficiently prepare for interviews by visiting Career.com today.