3 Types of Interview
The purpose of an interview is to exchange information about you,
the job, and prospective employer. For this reason, preparation is
critical. Always research a company, know your skills and abilities,
be professional and be yourself.
The Informational Interview
An informational interview is NOT a job interview, but an
opportunity to meet with an individual currently working in your
career field of interest. It allows you to gather information and
obtain advice, learn about what is current within the field, identify
contacts and assist with career decisions and job search. An
informational interview should be treated as a professional interview.
Informational Interviewing allows you to gather details and obtain
advice. The following questions will get you started:
- How did you get into this line of work?
- How do most people get their jobs in this field?
- Why did you take a position with this company?
- What is your function in this company?
- What do you like and dislike most about your job?
- What is a typical day like at this company?
- Can you describe the company culture?
- Can you describe the industry?
- What do people in this career have in common?
- What types of positions are typically available in this company?
- What skills and experience would you look for in an entry-level
job applicant?
- What kind of work experience, education or training would be the
best preparation for this career?
- What are the short and long-term opportunities for growth in
this company?
- What is the salary range for this career?
- What trends do you see taking place in this profession?
- What do you see yourself doing in five years?
- What is the one thing you would have wanted someone to tell you
about this career?
- What advice would you give someone who is thinking about this
career?
- Do you know of other people who might be willing to give me
additional information?
- Can you recommend any sources for more information?
The Behavioral Interview
A behavioral interview is structured and controlled by the
interviewer. It requires candidates to answer questions based on past
behaviors. The premise is that past performance is the best predictor
of future performance. The interviewer questions and probes for
detailed behavioral evidence of what a candidate said, did, felt,
though and what the results were of various situations. Answers should
be based on what was the situation, what was your response, and what
was the outcome. There may be a lot of follow-up questions such as,
“Can you give me an example”, “What did you say” and “What was the
result.” The interviewer may take copious notes and test for
consistency in responses.
The Case Interview
A case interview is broadly defined as an interview geared
around solving problems on the spot. It is one of the most common
interview formats, especially for consulting firms. It requires
specific and exhaustive preparation, quick thinking, keen insight, and
intelligence. The case interview is designed to gauge exactly how
detail oriented you are by giving you a problem and seeing how you
work it out. The case interview can take many forms, but in every
form, the interviewer is trying to judge all or some of the following:
Logical Thought Processes, General Business Knowledge and Acumen,
General Knowledge, Comfort with Quantitative Analysis, Creativity, and
Communication Skills. All cases fall into two broad categories – long
and short (the reference being to time). Listen to the interviewer for
cues on this issue, and know the structure of the interview before
going on. >> Sample Case Interview
Questions
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