Introduction:

Interview:

An interview is essentially a structured conversation where one participant asks questions, and the other provides answers. In common parlance, the word “interview” refers to a one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee.

What is an interview and its purpose?

The interview is a conversation in which you and an employer exchange information. Your goal is to present yourself as the best candidate for the position and also to learn more about the position and the interviewer’s organization to determine whether both are well suited for you and your career goals.

Major Types of Interviews:

• Informational Interview.
• Screening or Telephone Interview.
• Individual Interview.
• Small Group or Committee Interview.  
• The Second or On-Site Interview. 
• Behavioral-Based Interview. 
• Task Oriented or Testing Interview.
• Stress Interview.

Types of Interview:

1. Traditional Interview:

Traditional interviews require answers to broad questions, such as “Tell me a bit about your background” or “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” The questions usually cover an applicant’s work history, education, personal interests and career goals.

2. Serial Interview:

A serial interview involves a group of people, but not all at once. You are handed off from person to person. In a serial interview, you typically are passed from the initial screener to a line manager to a top manager and perhaps a half-dozen people in between.

3. Behavioral Interview:

Behavioral based interviewing is interviewing based on discovering how the interviewee acted in specific employment-related situations. The logic is that how you behaved in the past will predict how you will behave in the future, i.e., past behavior predicts future performance.

4. Lunch Interview:

A lunch interview is just what it sounds like, an interview that occurs during lunch. Managers often choose lunch interviews when they are particularly busy and need to find time to fit the interview into their schedule.

5. Phone or Skype Interview:

Telephone interviews are often conducted by employers in the initial interview round of the hiring process, this type of interview allows an employer to screen candidates on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and salary expectations pertaining to the position and the company. A Skype interview, otherwise known as a video interview, is one in which the entire interview is conducted via video chat on your computer. As technology continues to advance, more and more interviewers are turning to Skype and video interviews as a way to connect with potential hires.

Here are some tips and tricks that will help you to know that what things you have to focused before going to an interview;

1. Do your Homework:

It will also help you make a list of important and meaningful questions you can ask them during the interview; this will make the interview more conversational than one sided. Doing your homework will also help you answer the most commonly ask interview questions, which we review on our page Interviewing Questions.

2. Practice your Questions:

Practicing your answers will help you feel more comfortable talking about yourself. As you practice, you will start to sound and feel more comfortable. This is one of the few times in life when you’re expected to brag, and practicing your answers ahead of time can make it feel less awkward.

3. Practice your Interview Techniques:

Practicing your answers will help you feel more comfortable talking about yourself. You will already have an idea of the main points to cover. Practicing out loud helps you decide which words to use.

4. Planning your Journey:

Knowing you have prepared for the journey ahead will help relax your nerves, build your confidence and allow extra time to focus on the task at hand. Preparation is Key! Time permitting, it’s a good idea to do an advanced trial run of your journey, then you can plan your timings accordingly.

5. Stay Focused:

In order to concentrate during the interview, think of one or two things that you would like your interviewer to remember you for. Is it your knowledge, communication skills or project management achievements? Zeroing in on a few things will keep your brain alert and fixated.

6. Get Well Sleep:

Getting a good night’s sleep is the most important thing you can do before an interview. When you’re well rested, you’re more alert and focused, and you won’t have to resort to caffeine or sugar to stay awake. Of course, it can be hard to sleep because you’re anxious about the interview.

7. Eat Healthy Breakfast/Lunch:

It jump-starts your metabolism and provides the energy necessary to get you through a long day. When considering which foods to eat for breakfast before an interview, a few factors need to be taken into account: You need a steady stream of energy, heightened focus, strong memory retention, and sweet-smelling breath.

8. Stay Calm and Confident:

But even the most prepared candidates can get butterflies when they hit the interview room. The ability to stay composed, however, may make or break the meeting. Calmness demonstrates poise, instills confidence, and promotes the clear-headedness necessary for thinking on your feet.

Showing confidence in interviews will help you make a better first impression and be more memorable so you can get more job offers. You’ll also start to FEEL more confident if you use these steps in your interviews. So it’s a win-win. You’ll be more relaxed and be able to give much better answers.

9. Well Dressed:

The way you dress for an interview gives potential employers their first impression of how you present yourself professionally. Even if you look great on paper, if you don’t dress appropriately for an interview, you give the impression that you lack respect for yourself and those you are meeting with.

10. Good Communication Skills:

You need to know what you want and how you are going to attain it. Being an excellent communicator can help propel your career. Good communication skills can aid in helping you land an interview and pass the selection process. Being able to articulate well provides a significant advantage!

11. Have Patience:

Patience allows an employee to understand a scenario at work for what it is, but not get overwhelmed and stressed out about it. Demonstrates leadership skills. Most employers start looking inward at their team for signs of potential leadership skills from the first moment of hiring.