Interview types

Interview types can vary depending on the companies’ size, structure and their company culture. Some of the most common types of interviews are below:

Screening Interview

A screening interview is meant to screen you ‘in’ or ‘out’ of the interviewing process; it may be conducted either over the phone or in person. This type of interview will be very structured and run to a set time. The interviewer will use direct questions to qualify and explore the information in your CV. Be prepared, professional and confident.

Selection Interview

This may be a one-to-one interview and could be based on broader questions about yourself and your career history and future career plans. The aim is to evaluate your suitability for the position and will be an excellent opportunity to sell yourself and will give you the opportunity to highlight your key skills, experience and accomplishments.

Panel Interview

A panel interview will consist of more than one interviewer; they may be from different departments or have differing levels of responsibility. This interview may be fast-paced and more intense, but don’t feel the need to rush your answers. Take time to breathe and do pause, when answering, to ensure you have gathered your thoughts.

Don’t be intimidated by this type of interview, they tend to be less subjective as you will not be subject to one individual’s bias. Don’t forget to speak to the entire panel when answering questions and make eye contact with everyone.

Video or Skype interviews

Interviews over video links or Skype are becoming quite common but present a whole new set of things to think about, a virtual interview is not the same as a face to face one and again preparation is the key.

You should still dress professionally even if the interviewer may only see your upper body throughout the interview, being dressed formally will put you in right frame of mind.

Think carefully about where you will hold the interview – what can the interviewer see behind you, is there any obtrusive background noise and is the lighting good enough to light your face so that your interviewer is not staring at a shadowy figure throughout.

Ensure you have a handle on the technology before the interview. If you haven’t used Skype before, set up a practice interview with a friend. Ensure you are happy with how you come across, check the microphone settings, the picture quality and ensure you have a strong, consistent internet connection.

Get everything set up minutes before the interview, have all your notes and a glass of water to hand and remember to look at the camera, not at the screen so you are maintaining eye contact. Smile and keep a relaxed and pleasant facial countenance. As difficult as it might seem, try to forget you are talking to a screen and try to imagine that the interviewer is in the room.