How to excel at ten different types of interviews

Every interviewer will have their own personal preference for different interview styles. Each interview format will require a slightly different approach on your part as the interviewee. Take note of the tips below and you won’t go wrong!

1. The phone interview

Phone interviews can take on a number of different guises. From a 5-minute screening chat to 1-hour thorough conversations, each can play a crucial role in whether or not you’re successful in being invited to the next stage. Key points to consider are fairly obvious… but important! Ensure you’re located in a quiet spot where you’re unlikely to be interrupted, have strong phone signal and a fully charged phone.

2. The video conference call

Video calls are a very common interview format now. Make sure you’re in a well-lit and quiet location, are connected to Wi-Fi, and have a Plan B if technology fails you! The Plan B could be a phone call, FaceTime or Skype audio. If you’re not prepared, a poor experience of cutting in and out may significantly and negatively impact the experience.

3. The lunch interview

If you’re lucky enough to be taken for lunch on your interview, please don’t forget your manners. That means being polite to the wait staff, holding your cutlery properly and probably not ordering the spaghetti. Remember what mum used to tell you about elbows on the table? This is THE moment when it matters.

4. The panel interview

Panel interviews can be the most daunting kinds of interviews, essentially because you’re facing a firing squad aiming questions at you left, right and centre. In these scenarios, remain calm, acknowledge all of your interviewees when you speak, and maintain open body language.

5. The group interview

In a group interview, you’ll typically be asked to complete a task or solve a problem as a team. In these sorts of scenarios, you’ll need to impress in some small way. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to lead the group, but you will need to think about how you might demonstrate value in a team scenario.

6. The team interview

Meeting the team is a great way for both parties to assess cultural fit. It also generally means you’ve impressed the key decision maker, which is good. Woo the team with your personality and charm, and you’re sure to succeed.

7. The test interview

The test could take the form of presenting to a group, or it might just mean being assessed of your Microsoft office skills. Either way, these must be skills that the employer considers crucial to the role at hand. If there is an opportunity to prepare properly, take the time to do so rather than cramming and leaving it down to the wire. Get plenty of sleep the night before, and try meditation techniques for keeping any anxiety at bay.

8. The recruitment agency interview

A positive meeting or registration with a recruitment agency is essential if you’d like that agency to represent you and put you forward for roles. Be proactive and ask for feedback at the end of the interview. Then take it on board!

9. The puzzle interview

The likes of Google, Apple and other highly sought-after brands have been known to weave in puzzle questions into their interviews. An example might be: “If you’re in a small room with nothing but a bar of soap and feather, how do you get out?” Weird questions are not uncommon and can often work well to illustrate your thought process. Embrace them!

10. The traditional interview

And finally, the traditional interview. This is likely to be set in a meeting room with one or two interviewers who ask you a series of questions designed to reveal your suitability for the role at hand.

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Author Tiger Contributor Tiger Recruitment Team