Article by Adrienne Thibodeau

Source : Designer Today

We have already looked at a few types of interviews; the informational interview, and the phone interview. In this article I am going to discuss some other types of interviews that you might encounter in your job search.

Screening interview. The screening interview is common in cases involving a large pool of applicants, and is used primarily to weed out any unqualified candidates. The interview questions tend to focus on your qualifications, experience and skills. The point of the interview is to determine which applicants should be formally interviewed for the position. (Telephone interviews are often used as screening interviews.)

Meal interview. While the setting for a meal interview may seem more casual than a meeting held at the office, remember that you are still being evaluated. Approach the meal interview the same way you would approach a traditional interview. Try to match the interviewer’s food choices (don’t order lobster if the interviewer orders a sandwich), and try to choose something that will not be messy. Remember your table manners – don’t talk with your mouth full, keep your elbows off the table, and don’t slurp your soup. It is also a good idea to avoid alcohol, even if your interviewer orders a drink.

Panel interview. A panel interview is one in which you meet with multiple interviewers at the same time. You can prepare for a panel interview the same way you would prepare for a traditional interview. Try not to be intimidated by the additional interviewers. When dealing with multiple interviewers, direct your answer to the person who asked the question, though it is appropriate to make eye contact with each person involved.

Group interview. A group interview typically involves a group of applicants for the same position being interviewed together at the same time. This is usually done to test leadership skills and to evaluate the way the applicants interact with others. It is wise to keep in mind the position that you are applying for; if you are interviewing for a leadership position you may need to emphasize different traits than you would if you were interviewing to be a part of a creative team, but it is important to be yourself.

Behavioral interview. Behavioral interviews try to determine how an applicant would behave in certain circumstances. The questions often focus on how you handled different situations in the past. An example would be “Give me an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish and failed.” Be honest, but also try to maintain a positive attitude. If you can show that you learned something from a ‘failure’ it is more likely to impress a potential employer. The best way to deal with behavioral interviews is by using the “STAR” response. This mnemonic breaks down as follows:

· describe the Situation you were in or the Task you needed to achieve. If you can’t think of a relevant on-the-job experience, that’s fine. Use an example from a hobby or a volunteer experience.

· describe the Action you took, and then

· explain the Result – what was the outcome? Explain how the situation turn out, what you accomplished, and what you learned.

Stress interview. A stress interview is used occasionally by some employers to evaluate the way applicants handle stressful situations. Stress interviews can be presented in many ways. Sometimes the interviewer will ask questions very quickly, leaving you little time to think about your answers. Sometimes the interviewer may even cut you off in the middle of a response. They may be deliberately argumentative, or they may suddenly fall silent in the middle of the interview as though they are waiting for something. If this happens, don’t talk just for the sake of filling the silence. Wait patiently for the questioning to resume. If the silence persists for a minute or so, you can ask the interviewer if they would like you to provide clarification of your last comment. Recognizing these “scare” tactics for what they are can help you to put your mind at ease during a stress interview.

While there are many different forms an interview can take, they do tend to follow similar patterns. In next month’s article we will take a look at how to prepare for an interview.