Here Are 8 Kinds of Job Interviews You Have To Be Ready For

A successful job search has many components, from a resume that stands out to a well-prepared strategy in handling a job interview. Getting ready to make that first impression at a job interview goes beyond simply knowing what to answer when the interviewer says, "Tell me about yourself," or asks, "What are your weaknesses?". It also entails preparing for different types of job interviews that you may encounter, from the traditional one-on-one interview to a brainteaser interview. Take the time to study them so you will know not just what to do or answer but also how to handle unusual questions. Here are 8 kinds of job interviews you have to be ready for.

The Traditional One-on-One Interview

This is the type of interview you will most likely encounter as it is commonly used by companies. Expect to be interviewed by a human resources officer or the manager you will be reporting to. Prepare for a question and answer session wherein the interviewer will ask you to say something about yourself and why you applied for the position.

Ask a trusted friend to help you practice, and then ask for feedback on how you fared. Determine areas for improvement and how you can manage them as the date of the job interview approaches.

The Phone Interview

The phone interview is conducted for many possible reasons. It lets a company expand its search to jobseekers living out of town, and also allows for the pre-screening of applicants before they are invited for an interview in person or for testing. Expect questions similar to those asked in a traditional one-on-one interview. Prepare your answers to questions such as " What are your strengths and weaknesses ?" or "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Make sure you are in an ideal spot where it's quiet and you have good reception. Speak clearly and answer every question enthusiastically. Remember that the interviewer cannot see your facial expression, so try to respond enthusiastically. Phone operators and sales people share this nifty trick: Talk on the phone with a smile in order to sound friendly.

The Video Interview

For many reasons, the video interview is also becoming more popular among hirers. The COVID-19 pandemic further necessitated the need for video interviews as a safer alternative to physical meetings. This type of interview addresses the limitation of the phone interview, while maintaining the efficiency of the hiring process. It is almost as good as a face-to-face interview because the hirer can talk to you and see you at the same time. Only, it is done through a computer or mobile phone screen. Prepare for a panel interview as well, since more managers can join the video call. It is possible for you to be asked questions like "How would you describe your working style?" or "How do you deal with pressure?".

There are many platforms that can be used for a video interview, so make sure you are familiar with the basic functions. As with a phone interview, choose a quiet place with minimal distraction. Dress appropriately in your complete job interview outfit.

The Group Interview

While job interviews are usually just between a hiring officer and a jobseeker, there is another type of interview wherein more than one candidate is interviewed at a time. A group interview is often used by hirers when there are several job positions that need to be filled, such as when they are building a new team or department. Interviewing you together with other candidates lets them see how you will work with the team who may become your colleagues in the future. Prepare to answer questions such as " How would you describe yourself to stand out from this group of applicants?" or "What role do you see yourself filling if we put you all in a team?".

This is a good chance to show that you are a team player, so participate actively in any group exercise or test that the interviewer may give. If it is a problem-solving activity, do not hold back and take the opportunity to showcase your abilities and talents.

The Stress Interview

It may be unusual, but a stress interview puts you in an uncomfortable situation just to see how you would react. It's similar to an interrogation scene in a police drama where a cop tries to intimidate you and get your attention by screaming at your face. In this type of job interview, you may be asked: "What makes you think you can survive here?" or "What makes you think you're the right person for this job?". The hirer may even employ similar intimidation tactics by saying, "I am not impressed with your resume."

Stay cool and calm during this type of interview. Remind yourself that this is just an act—and a way to see how you would handle such a situation. Don't take it personally. Take a moment to think of how to react in a professional manner.

The Case Interview

The case interview is a specialised type of interview wherein a problem or issue is presented and you are expected to solve it. Interviewers for banking and management consulting jobs often employ this method. It's a test of your analytical and problem solving skills, and a chance to showcase your ability to work under pressure. Prepare to work on cases such as these: "Create a plan that would make Company X double its earnings from the previous year" or "The launch of New Coke in 1985 was a massive failure on the part of the soft drinks giant. Show how this could have been avoided today by describing how you are going to market the soda's new formulation to the public."

It's important not to rush in coming up with an answer. Study the case carefully and then come up with a viable solution. Make sure you will be able to explain how you arrived at the conclusion. More often than not, there is no single correct answer here, but what the interviewer will evaluate is the analytical process involved in coming up with your answer.

The Career Fair Interview

An on-site interview at a career fair is also common, since this is where the pre-screening process is held before candidates are invited for a second interview. Companies who also process job applications within one day employ this type of interview to make hiring efficient. In a virtual job fair, you can join chat room discussions with hirers as well. Some questions you may encounter include: "What brings you to the career fair?" or "What makes you different from all the attendees here?".

It is likely that you will not have the luxury of time so you have to make a good impression immediately. For starters, make sure you have basic information on the companies you plan on visiting at the career fair. Get straight to the point and offer reasons why you are the right person for the job. Be prepared with a mental list of your strengths, particularly those that match the needs of the position you are applying for.

The Brainteaser Interview

"How would you move Mount Fuji?" or "Describe the colour red to a blind person." These questions are far from the usual ones you will encounter during a job interview, and may leave you confused. This is called a brainteaser interview, which was originally used by Microsoft to screen candidates, and later on employed by other tech companies as well as companies in the marketing, banking, and finance industries. As with the case interview, you are expected to showcase your problem-solving and analytical skills in a brainteaser interview. It gives hirers an idea of how your mind works and how quickly you can come up with an answer.

Even if the questions seem bizarre, don't let them rattle you. There is no way of predicting the exact questions to be asked, so you will need to bank on stock knowledge, critical thinking skills, and an out-of-the-box way of thinking in order to ace this type of interview.

There is no such thing as being overly prepared during a job search. While some of these types of interview are rarely used or specific only to certain industries, being aware of these will ensure that you stay ahead of the competition and increase your chances of being hired.

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