Different types of interviews

While students are busy studying, they should also be preparing for employment interviews. If you need assistance with your interview skills, visit the Career Development Center in Room 232 of the Wise Campus Center, or call us at 485-2125. We are dedicated to helping you with every aspect of your job search.

Some of the basic types of interviews include:

1) Telephone interviews are used to screen people quickly. In about five minutes, you need to make the recruiter feel that you are worth meeting face to face.

2) Face-to-face screening interviews are generally conducted by Human Resource Specialists. They are usually short in duration and are designed to screen out those applicants who are clearly NOT appropriate for a particular job. You must impress the interviewer with your enthusiasm and potential.

3) Stress interviews are designed to be stressful, with the theory being that the situation will show how you will respond to stress when it occurs on the job. The interviewer may use rapid fire questioning, silence or body language to make you feel your answer is unacceptable. The primary antidote to this type of interview is simply to recognize it when you see it, and do not become flustered or defensive.

4) Board interviews occur when several people interview you simultaneously. Be sure to make eye contact with all board members throughout the interview to keep them interested and to make them feel important.

5) Behavior-based interviews require you to provide evidence that you possess certain skills or knowledge. You will not be permitted to get away with generalities and should have six or more stories ready, which clearly demonstrate your skills or how you handled difficult situations.

6) Case Interviews are the GRE's of interviews. They test your analytical abilities.
The purpose of all interviews is to exchange information, project enthusiasm about yourself and your ability to perform a job, and to overcome any objections that may crop up. Research, study and rehearse for your interview; in other words, be prepared!