Interview

Definition: Interview refers to a formal, in-depth conversation between two or more persons,
wherein the exchange of information takes place, with a view of checking a candidate’s
acceptability for the job.

Objectives of Interview
▪ To evaluate the applicant’s suitability.
▪ To gain additional information from the candidate.
▪ To provide general information about the company to the applicant.
▪ To create a good image of the company, among applicants.
It is an effective tool for selection. It is two-way communication between interviewer and
interviewee, wherein the former seeks information, by way of questions and the latter provides
the same, through his/her verbal responses. However, the information flows in both directions. In
this way, the hirer learns about the applicant and the applicant also get a chance to know about
the employer.

Types of Interview
The various types of interview are explained hereunder:

1. Structured Interview: The interview in which preset standardised questions are used by the
interviewer, which are asked to all the candidates. It is also known as a patterned or guided
interview.
2. Unstructured Interview: The unstructured interview is one that does not follow any formal rules
and procedures. The discussion is free-flowing, and questions are made up during the interview.
3. Mixed Interview: It is a combination of structured and unstructured interview, wherein a
blend of predetermined and spontaneous questions are asked by the interviewer to the
job seeker. It follows a realistic approach which allows the employer to make a
comparison between answers and get in-depth insights too.
4. Behavioural Interview: It is concerned with a problem or a hypothetical situation, given
to the candidate with an expectation that he/she would solve. It aims at revealing the job
seeker’s ability to solve the problem presented.
5. Stress Interview: The employer commonly uses stress interview for those jobs which
are more stress-prone. A number of harsh, rapid-fire questions are put to the interviewee
with intent to upset him. It seeks to know, how the applicant will respond to pressure.
6. One to one Interview: The most common interview type, in which there are only two
participants – the interviewer (usually the representative of the company) and
interviewee, taking part in the face to face discussion, in order to transfer information.
 7. Panel Interview: Panel interview is one, in which there is a panel of interviewers, i.e.
two or more interviewers, but limited to 15. All the members of the panel are different
representatives of the company.
8. Telephonic Interview: Telephonic interview is one that is conducted over the telephone.
It is the most economical and less time consuming, which focuses on asking and
answering questions.
9. Video Interview: An interview, in which a video conference is being employed, to judge
or evaluate the candidate. Due to its flexibility, rapidity and inexpensiveness, it is used
increasingly.

Halo Effect
Halo effect refers to cognitive bias, wherein the interviewer makes a judgement about
the applicant’s overall potential for the performance of the job, considering a single
characteristic, like the way he/she talks, sits, dresses, etc.

Interviews also have several shortcomings, such as lack of reliability, i.e. no two
interviewers give similar points to an applicant after the interview. Further, lack of
validity and biases of interviewers may also trouble interview.

Importance of Interview:
Interview serves the following purposes:
1. Interview helps in selecting the candidate most suitable for the job.

2. It provides the candidate information about the organisation and the job for which he
applied.

3. Interview helps in knowing details about candidate’s personality.

4. It is a method of direct contact between the employer and the candidate. Employer can
observe physical characteristics of the candidates. It helps managers to check authenticity of
details in the application form.

5. It helps interviewer and the interviewee know each other in detail. Complete information
about the company can be given to the candidate and negotiations on salary and other terms
can be made.

Types of Interviews:
Interviews can be conducted one-on-one, in a panel, or as a group. Interviews can be
informal or formal, relaxed or stressful, directed or undirected.
Before preparing for an interview, the interviewee should find out how the interview will be
conducted.

He can ask the following questions when the interview is being scheduled:
1. How many people will be interviewing him?

2. Will he be the only person interviewed at one time?

3. What kind of questions will be asked?

4. How can he best prepare for the interview?

Most common interview questions and answers

1. Tell me a little about yourself.

Example answer: “I am a [positive adjectives] [x] professional with [x] years of

experience. I’m excited to find a role where I can [accomplish this goal] and
expand on my current skillset while also learning, growing and contributing to
a great organization that aligns with my values.”

2. What are your biggest strengths?

Example answer: “I’m very proud of my strengths in [learning new concepts

and tools quickly / communicating clearly with others / focusing on goals
and outcomes] and even though these are strengths I’m always trying to build
on them.“

3. What are your biggest weaknesses?

Example answer: “I’m very self-aware of the things that I can improve on,
which some would call “weaknesses” and those would be [proficiency with X
tool or program / giving feedback to colleagues or manager(s) / multi-tasking
under pressure]. I’m actively working on this, though, and am always getting
better.”

4. Why should we hire you?

Example answer: “Because I have all of the skills you’re looking for in this role
and the enthusiasm about the company that will help me thrive here. I also
believe I can contribute positively to the company culture by [X]….”

*The key is to be specific to THIS role and THIS company, and what you can
offer them rather than just what you can get out of the role.

5. Why do you want this job? (similar question also asked: “Why are you
interested in this company?”)

Example answer: “I want this job because the role matches what I am looking
for the next step in my career growth and also because I am very drawn to the
mission and values that this company stands for [such as X, Y, Z]. I feel like I
can provide a lot of value to the company but also grow with it.”

6. What motivates you?

Example answer: “What motivates me is [making customers happy /

creating campaigns from scratch, from strategy to execution / tackling different
problems and coming up with meaningful solutions to them]. I believe that I’d
be able to do that here.”

7. How do you think you will fit in this role?

Example answer: “I think I would fit really great into this role. From what I’ve
learned so far about the role and the company, I think there is a natural fit
when it comes to needs on both sides and it makes me excited to think about
getting to know the team and all the things I can learn and can contribute.”
8. What do you know about our company? (similar question also asked:
“How did you learn about us / the opening?”)

Example answer: “I know that this company is known for [X] and is in the [X]
industry. The company is based in [X] and has about [X] total employees. I
also know that it’s an attractive place to work for people like me who want [X].”
*You have to have actually done research on the company to answer this well!

Additional questions related to the ones above:

9. Describe your ideal role.
10. What type of environment are you looking to step into?
11. What are you looking for now?
12. What about this role / company attracts you?

13. Why do you want to leave your current job? (similar question also
asked: “Why are you looking?”)

Example answer: “There are a couple of main reasons I’m looking to move on
from my current job and that includes [wanting to gain X new skill or
grow current skill in X / more career growth in the direction I’m interested in].
*The key is to focus on positives and be future-focused, rather than focusing
on negative things about the present or past at your current role.

14. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Example answer: “In five years I’d like to be an established team member of
a company like this where I [will have mastered skills that I’m just learning
now / will take on new responsibilities and learn the next level of skills I’d need
to continue my career path / will have taken on a leadership role where I am
helping manage and grow others]”

15. How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?

Example answer: “I deal with pressure or stressful situations by

[reminding myself that things are temporary / making sure I stay grounded and
understand what I can and cannot change / knowing when and how to ask for
help from my team members or manager] and taking things one step at a
time.”
*This is a chance to demonstrate your ability to stay calm and work through
any tough situation, and also your emotional intelligence.

Additional questions related to the ones above:

16. Tell me about a challenge or conflict you’ve faced at work and how
you dealt with it.
17. Tell me about a time you disagreed with a decision. What did you
do?
18. What would your last boss / colleagues say about you?

Even more common interview questions:

19. What would your previous boss or colleagues say you excelled most
at / needed most improvement in?
20. Describe a time you exercised leadership?
21. Can you give an example of how you worked on a team?
22. How familiar are you with working with X (tool, language, etc.)?
23. What other companies are you interviewing with?
24. What do you like to do outside of work?
25. Why was there a gap in your employment between these dates?
26. Can you explain why you’ve bounced around to many different types
of roles (in unrelated areas)?