types of interviews
The
Initial Interview
This interview takes place on-campus, at the company (on-site),
or over the telephone and usually lasts approximately a half-hour
or less. The interviewer is trying to narrow the candidate
pool so first impressions are extremely important during this
interview. Some employers may make a hiring decision based
upon this interview only
On-Site
Interviews
This interview is used to assess your "fit" with
the organization. Interviews are offered to the most promising
candidates and usually involve a good portion of the day.
During such a visit, you may meet with one person or many
people from a variety of departments. You will have the opportunity
to discuss job responsibilities, your qualifications and interest,
salary, and benefits. This is an excellent opportunity for
you to evaluate the job, atmosphere, and people with whom
you would be working. Some organizations also administer tests
of various types at this time.
If travel is involved in an on-site
visit, be sure that you understand the situation before accepting
the invitation. Travel arrangements for second interviews
are handled in one of the following ways:
• The employer representative will take care of everything,
including expenses.
• You will be expected to make all or part of the arrangements,
and the employer will reimburse you for all or part of the
expenses later.
• You will be expected to take care of everything, including
expenses.
Telephone
Interviews
Many companies screen applicants over the telephone. How well
you do will depend on your preparation for such calls and
the impression you make. Here are some tips:
• Any telephone calls during your job search could be
an employer. Answer the phone appropriately every time; first
impressions are important.
• Be sure to inform roommates and parents of the importance
of taking careful telephone messages for you.
• Your greeting on your answering machine should be
businesslike.
• Keep the following items next to your telephone: paper,
pen, copy of your resume, date book, a log of companies you
have contacted, your own course schedule including major exams/projects,
and a copy of the job description.
• Express your pleasure at receiving the call, but don't
act like you have won the lottery.
• Ask for a minute to turn down the stereo, close the
door and set the stage for privacy and quiet.
• Your voice is your only means to express energy and
enthusiasm.
• Use pauses effectively -- think about what you will
answer or ask next.
• Don't hang up before you know the next step and thank
the interviewer for calling
• Get the interviewer's full name, title and phone number.
We recommend this video: How to Ace a Telephone Interview and Get the Job on YouTube
Webcam Interviewing
Interviewing remotely is becoming more and more common for initial interviews. Keep these things in mind to make the experience a good one!
• Find a quiet place to do the interview.
• Test your webcam and the software or site you will be using.
• Make sure your microphone and sound settings are working correctly. Be sure that the microphone is set to a good volume, and that goes for your speaker volume as well. Practice speaking clearly through the microphone; you may find that you need to speak more slowly during a video conference, since there are sometimes lags when communicating over the internet.
• If possible, practice for the interview with a friend.
• You might think the situation is informal, but it's not perceived that way by the people interviewing you. Dress-up for the interview, even though it will be conducted over a webcam.
• Good video interview software will have a window that shows what you look like to the interviewer. Try to look into the camera when talking instead of the image on the screen. Posture is probably more important in this situation than it is in person. Make sure the area in which you're sitting is neat and nothing strange or interesting is showing that might distract the interviewer or make you look bad.
• Usually better to use an Ethernet connection instead of a wireless connection to reduce the possible video delay or loss of connection.
• Good idea to get your interviewers name and phone number, just in case you experience technical difficulties.
• Shut down your mobile phone or any other potential distractions within your control prior to the interview.
• Find out how much time has been set aside for your interview – people have a tendency to rush online, so this will help you to pace your answers better.
• Many people haven't done a video interview before and it's okay to tell the recruiter or hiring manager that you are new to the process.
• Avoid leaving the confines of the camera until the interview is completely administered and remember to thank the employer for his/her time and consideration of the interview session.
• Go about the interview much the way you would a face-to-face interview. As with any kind of interview, being prepared is the most important thing.
Behavioral
Based Interviewing
The basic premise of behavioral-based interviewing is the
best predictor of future behavior is past behavior in similar
circumstances. Instead of asking how you would behave in a
particular situation, the interviewer will ask how you did
behave. Below are tips for preparing for one:
• Recall recent situations that show favorable behaviors
or action (example: course work, work experience, leadership,
teamwork, initiative, planning, and customer service.)
• Be ready to describe the situation, your action, and
the outcome or result.
• Be sure the outcome or result reflects positively
on you even if the result itself was not favorable.
• Be honest. Don't embellish or omit any part of the
story.
Examples
Of Behavioral Interviewing Questions
Decision making/problem solving: How did you make the decision
to come to RIT and major in __?
Leadership: Have you ever been a member of a group where two
members did not work well together? How did you handle this?
Motivation: Give me an example of when you went above and
beyond the call of duty.
Communication: Have you ever had to "sell" an idea
to a group? How did you do it? Did they buy it?
Interpersonal Skills: Tell me about the most difficult or
frustrating individual that you have ever had to work with,
and how you managed to work with that person.
Planning /Organization: What do you do when your schedule
is suddenly interrupted? Give a specific example.
Informational Interviewing
One of the easiest and most effective ways to meet people in a professional field is to conduct informational interviews. Informational interviewing is a networking approach, which allows you to meet key professionals, gather career information, investigate career options, get advice on job search techniques and get referrals to other professionals.
The art of informational interviewing is in knowing how to balance your hidden agenda (to locate a job) with the unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the demands of your field. Thus, never abuse your privilege by asking for a job, but execute your informational interviews skillfully, and a job may follow.
What Can It Accomplish?
• It will expand your information
regarding a specific career/job market
• It will help to clarify your goals and serve as a
reality check for some of your assumptions/perceptions
• It will bring your career research to life by gaining
first-hand, current information from someone in your field
• It will establish the first link to eventual job targets
and build your professional network
• It may uncover hidden job opportunities
Whom To Contact?
• Those who work in settings
you like (e.g. manufacturing, business, government)
• People in career areas you are interested in (e.g.
process engineer, market researcher, systems analyst)
• Those who work in specific jobs in specific organizations
(e.g. process engineer at Intel, or graphic designer at Saatchi)
Where To Find These People?
Use your network, which is described above. You can also call community service agencies and trade organizations e.g., Rotary Club, business and professional organizations, women's organizations, Chamber of Commerce and alumni organizations.
What Motivates Professionals To Grant Informational Interviews?
The reasons are varied. Generally, most people enjoy sharing information about themselves and their jobs and, particularly, love giving advice. Some may simply believe in encouraging newcomers to their profession and others may be scoping out prospects for anticipated vacancies. It is common for professionals to exchange favors and information, so don't hesitate to call upon people.
How Do You Set Up Informational Interviews?
Personal referral is the most effective. Have a mutual acquaintance be the bridge to your contact. Telephone contact is the next best route if you don't have a personal referral. Letters are most effective when they are followed by a telephone call. Send a letter requesting a brief informational interview (clearly indicating the purpose of the meeting, and communicating the fact that there is no job expectation).
How Do You Prepare For Informational Interviews?
Prepare for your informational interviews just as you would for an actual job interview: polish your presentation and listening skills, and conduct preliminary research on the organization. You should outline an agenda that includes well-thought-out questions.
Learn as much as possible about the organization and something about the person you will be interviewing (e.g. title). Dress professionally and bring a copy of your resume (to be presented upon request).
Always remember to send a thank you letter to every person who grants you time and to every individual who refers you to someone.
Sample Interview Questions
Examples Of How To Make The Contact:
Case 1: Let's say you've identified someone you want to talk
to. You ask around and discover that Susan in your physics
class knows the person you're trying to contact. You have
decided to call, but what do you say?
"Hello, my name is . Susan Langford suggested that I
call you. I am considering a career in urban planning and
would be interested in any information or advice you could
share with me. Could we set up a time for about 20 minutes,
to talk about this?
Case 2: What if you don't have a personal
referral, such as in this case:
"Ms. Darcy, my name is _______ and I'm an RIT alumni.
I'm very interested in a career in the travel industry. I've
read your travel column in the paper and I understand you've
been involved in this field for some time. I would be interested
in your personal perspective about careers in travel. Could
we arrange an appointment time next week?"
Sample Questions For The Informational
Interview:
Know exactly what kind of information you want. The following
are examples of possible topics of conversation for the interview.
Use these, as guidelines, to come up with questions that are
important to you.
• How did you get into this
line of work? Get started in this job?
• How did you prepare yourself for this job? This profession?
• What is the most valuable thing you learned in college?
• Knowing what you know now, would you take the same
job again? Why or why not?
• What do you like most about it? Like least about it?
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
• What skills or personal qualities are necessary in
this career?
• What do you do in a typical day?
• What type of people do you work with?
• What are other specialties in this career area? Get
referrals if appropriate.
• What are your organization's goals at this time?
• Would you advise people to enter this career area?
Why or why not?
• What classes can I take, or projects can I do, to
prepare myself for this career area?
• What, in your opinion, is the job outlook in this
career area? What will affect its growth or decline?
• Where else could I find people involved in this activity?
What other settings or industries do, (e.g. accountants) work
in? Get referrals if appropriate.
• Are you active in any professional organizations in
our field and which would you recommend?
How to Conduct an Informational Interview:
• Arrive 10-15 minutes early
for your appointment.
• Be able to introduce yourself effectively in a minute
or two.
• Be prepared to discuss your own interests, skills
and values and how they relate to the career in which you
have interest.
• Adhere to the original time request of 20-30 minutes.
• Ask for referrals to other appropriate individuals
in the field.
• Stay true to your request for information - let the
individual you are interviewing bring up specific job openings.
• Always follow-up with a thank you note.
• Keep the door open to remain in touch with this new
member of your network.
• Evaluate your interview; did you accomplish your goal(s)?
• Contact referrals you received as soon as possible.