Interview Formats and Styles

You will likely take part in several types of interviews, varying in format and function over the course of your professional career. The common interview types are virtual, in person, or on the phone. The questions and who attends the interview depends on the size of the organization and the organization’s needs. It is not uncommon for you to meet an executive quickly before or after the interview, or to have a potential coworker sit in on the meeting. In the past, one-on-one interviews were the norm, but interviews have changed significantly in recent years with panel and scenario-style interviews increasing in popularity. You will most likely be working with a team, so if the employer can see how you interact and respond to various people asking questions, they can better determine if you will be a good fit. When the recruiter calls to schedule your interview, ask what style of interview they will conduct; this will aid in your preparation.

Screening Interviews

Screening interviews are best characterized as “weeding-out” interviews. They ordinarily take place over the phone or in another low-stakes environment in which the interviewer has maximum control over the amount of time the interview takes. Screening interviews are generally short because they glean only basic information. If you are scheduled to participate in a screening interview, you might safely assume that you have some competition for the job and that the company is using this strategy to whittle down the applicant pool. With this kind of interview, your goal is to be selected for a face-to-face interview. For this first shot, though, prepare well and challenge yourself to outperform other candidates and stand out from the competition.

Group Interviews

Group interviews consist of several interviewees and perhaps only one or two interviewers who may make a presentation to the assembled group. This format allows an organization to quickly pre screen candidates. It also gives candidates a chance to quickly learn about the company. As with all interview formats, you are being observed. How do you behave with your group? Do you assume a leadership role? Are you quiet but attentive? What kind of personality is the company looking for? A group interview may reveal this.

Panel Interviews

A panel interview will comprise two to 10 people participating in an interview and asking you questions to determine your fit with the company. In most cases, each person on the panel will ask a series of questions. Individuals invited to be a part of the panel may consist of different company representatives such as human resources, management, and staff. It is a good idea to become familiar with their individual roles and have at least one question prepared for each (Doyle, 2021). During the interview, you can politely ask for a list of everyone you will meet along with their job titles if you have not been supplied the details.

If you happen to be provided with the names of interviewers in advance, take the opportunity to research each person on social media. Pay particular attention to their LinkedIn pages as you can learn their roles and more about their interests. Look for posts they have made about the company. This can help you understand their styles better. The panel interview is another method organizations use to see how candidates will operate in group situations (Doyle, 2021). This means you should be prepared for fast-paced questions, cross-talk from interviewers, and follow-up questions. Although panel interviews save time, the downside can be the potential for interviewers to come away with different opinions and perspectives from each other (Doyle, 2021). Panel interviews can be intimidating, but the organization was interested in you, so be confident in your achievements and show them you are the perfect choice for the position.

Virtual Interviews

For many companies, virtual options have completely changed the way interviewing happens. It is very possible your next job interview will take place virtually. Knowing what a virtual interview is, how to prepare for one, and the expectations for your performance will add self-assurance to your next interview in this format and help you in securing the job.

A virtual interview is like a face-to-face interview, but it is conducted using a virtual meeting platform like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. You will likely be asked the same types of questions. You may even participate in a panel interview virtually. The Harvard Business Review highlights a primary distinction between the communication and comfort level of virtual interviews. Unlike face-to-face interviews where the interviewer and interviewee are sitting only inches away from one another, the computer screen creates a sense of psychological safety. This may cause people to open up more than they might in person (Ringel, 2021).

The setup for a virtual interview takes time and needs to be professional and perfect if you want to convey to the interviewer that you are the right person for the job. This means you want a clear background, free of anything distracting. Avoid participating in an interview from your bedroom. If you must, go to your closet where you have a blank wall. The key is to make the interviewer focus on you and what you are saying, not on everything that is going on around or behind you. Turn on the camera and position your computer where you plan to sit during the interview. How does your face look on camera? Is the light in the room bright enough to see you clearly? Is there anything on or near the computer that will distract? Remove any objects that might tempt you to fidget.

Once your space is well lit and free of distractions, it is time to focus on the software. Have you used the video conferencing software before? If you haven’t, do a test run with a friend or family member to troubleshoot any problems before the interview. Ensure the sound and video are good quality. Some interviewers may consider it a red flag if you aren’t prepared and ready to go when the interview begins.

Making a connection during a virtual interview can be challenging making it necessary to think carefully about your Interpersonal communication skills. You should maintain eye contact with the camera rather than with your own image. To help accomplish this, you should hide your own image. This will prevent you from becoming distracted by what you look like on camera (Stahl, 2021). It is also important to pay attention to what you are doing with your body. Lean in as you would when having a face-to-face conversation with another person to demonstrate your attentiveness (Stahl, 2021).

The more comfortable you can become with virtual interviews, the better your chances will be of landing a job. Many job candidates mistakenly believe because employers have open positions, they will be willing to overlook various issues in the interview. According to the Harvard Business Review (2021), 72% of job candidates observed who did not receive a job offer, the majority appeared distracted, failed to meaningfully engage during the interview, or appeared to be reading from a script. Simply put, they failed to make an impression because of poor interviewing skills (Laker, Godley, Kudret, & Trehan, 2021). Remember, a virtual interview is the same as an in-person interview; it takes place over the network, but carries just as much weight and importance.