Six common types of interviews and how to ace them

Job interviews allow you to make a good impression on prospective employers. Doing well in an interview can increase your chances of getting the job. Properly preparing for an interview lets you show your interest in the role and confidently demonstrate your skills and personality.

Employers may use different types of interview formats to narrow down their search. These can vary by structure, medium, and the number of interviewers.

Understanding the different types of interviews can help you reduce anxiety, prepare yourself and your responses, and stand out from other applicants.

We look at six common types of interviews and provide tips for acing them. Here's what we'll cover:

• What are the different types of interviews?
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What are the different types of interviews?

Here are six interview types that employers commonly use:

1. Traditional one-on-one interview

The most common type of interview is traditional one-on-one meetings, so it's essential to prepare for this format. In a one-on-one interview, a single interviewer asks you questions about your skills and experience. They focus on assessing your background, achievements, and fit for the company culture.

You can get yourself ready for a traditional interview by researching the company and its work culture. Make sure you practise your answers and prepare questions for the interviewer. 

Below are a few examples of commonly asked questions in a one-on-one interview:

Why are you interested in this position?

Sample answer: "I can draw from my previous marketing successes to plan new initiatives that will help expand and engage your product's customer base.

Also, I want to grow in this role by developing my knowledge of Malaysia’s consumer products and becoming more involved in the company's marketing strategy. I believe this position will use my skills and provide enough challenge and growth to be my next career step."

Why should we hire you over other applicants?

Sample answer: "Compared to colleagues in my previous workplaces, I believe I have an above-average work ethic. I'm willing to stay after office hours when necessary to get the job done. I've worked in a law firm, so I know how to manage court schedules and caseloads."

2. Panel interview

You usually answer questions from multiple interviewers from different departments in a panel interview. This format allows interviewers to test your communication skills and ability to handle pressure and diverse perspectives.

To prepare for a panel interview, thoroughly research the company and the interviewers' backgrounds to predict questions from different areas.

Some examples of questions you may face in a panel interview include:

How would a co-worker describe you?

Sample answer: "I make it a point to show my appreciation for my teammates. My colleagues know that I value their abilities and contribute to a positive work environment.

If I see that someone has done an exceptional job, I make sure they know how important their efforts are. This improves workplace morale, and I think my co-workers appreciate it."

Are there any questions you want to ask us?

Sample answer: "Yes, there are a few. What would you say is the most challenging aspect of this position? How do you measure performance in this role? And what skills and experience are you seeking in an ideal applicant?"

3. Phone interview

A phone interview is typically an initial screening. Its purpose is to shortlist applicants for a face-to-face interview. In the case of remote jobs, it may also be a formal interview.

To do well in this type of interview, you must communicate clearly and show a professional phone presence. To prepare, you should find a quiet location for the interview, keep your resume and talking points handy, and dress professionally even though it's a phone call.

Here are sample questions and answers for a phone interview:

Describe yourself

Sample answer: "I'm results-oriented. I always keep a close eye on the goal to gauge my team's progress and decide the steps we need to take. I use this information to motivate myself and my team members. Over the past year, I led my team in reducing our average product time to market by ten days.”

What do you know about this position?

Sample answer: "I understand from the job description that you're seeking a bookkeeper to support the accounting department's financial activities. These activities mainly relate to accounts payable and procurement.

I also know you're looking for someone with HIPAA certification, which I've obtained. The daily tasks for this role include invoice processing, wire transfers, cheque requests, journal entries, and vendor creation.

4. Video interview

A video interview is a virtual meeting that occurs on a videoconferencing platform. Employers may choose this format when hiring for remote roles or when applicants can't attend an interview in person.

Make sure you test your technology before the interview. Dress professionally, and choose a well-lit, quiet location with a professional background.

Below are examples of questions you can expect to face in a video interview:

What is your ideal work environment?

Sample answer: "One thing that attracted me to this position was that you allow employees to work remotely two days a week. I'd appreciate the flexibility of being able to work from home while also having the opportunity to work with my teammates close by.

I can be both extrovert and introvert, and this kind of work arrangement is a perfect fit for me."

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Sample answer: "I aim to be in a management role within the next five years. I'm focusing on contributing as much as possible to the company and working my way up the ladder.

I'm a goal-oriented person who continually strives to reach the next level. Being in this field is a passion of mine, so I want to continue to progress and take on more responsibilities."

5. Behavioural interview

In a behavioural interview, the employer tries to learn more about your past experiences and how you handled specific situations. To perform well in this type of interview, consider using the STAR method.

This is a structured framework for responding to behavioural interview questions. It involves describing the situation, task, action, and result of the experience you're talking about. Before the interview, spend some time reflecting on past events where you demonstrated relevant skills.

Check out these examples of behavioural interview questions and answers:

Have you ever disagreed with a colleague, and how did you handle it?

Sample answer: "I once disagreed with a colleague about how we ran an email marketing campaign. I had a private discussion with them at the end of our team meeting.

I explained why I thought my proposed strategy was strong and asked them to explain their thought process. After discussing our perspectives, we realised that our strategies focused on different issues.

We brainstormed a new strategy that addressed both of our standpoints. Eventually, our disagreement resulted in more trust and a more effective campaign solution.

Tell me about a time when you used your leadership abilities to motivate your team or co-workers.

Sample answer: "My previous employer underwent a merger three years ago, which lowered the morale of some teams. The new management assigned unfamiliar tasks to my team. This led to a decline in our productivity.

So, I conducted a weekly workshop where my team learned new skills to help us become more engaged in our roles and improve our output. As a result of the training, overall engagement went up 35% over the next six months."

6. Case challenge interview

A case challenge interview aims to test your ability to solve problems, think analytically, and communicate effectively under pressure. The interviewer presents a business problem or scenario and asks you to propose solutions.

You can prepare for this kind of interview by practising case studies and brushing up on analytical frameworks. 

Take a look at these case challenge interview sample questions and answers:

We plan to launch a new makeup palette in four months. How would you launch it?

Sample answer: "To launch the new makeup palette, I would develop an extensive social media campaign. According to my previous company's analytics, social media advertising generated up to 70% of sales. This correlates with the behaviours of your target market, which is women aged 23 to 35.

Since there are many competing products on the market, I would emphasise the unique features of the makeup palette. For example, this could be the brand's commitment to making sustainable palette cases."

There's a negative review for one of our products. How would you respond to it?

Sample answer: "When responding to a negative review from a customer, I first acknowledge their concern and apologise on behalf of our brand. Then, I explain our company's values to reinforce our commitment to providing outstanding customer service.

I encourage them to get in touch with our customer service representatives to discuss the situation further and find a way to resolve the issue. By taking these steps, I assure the customer that our company cares about their shopping experience and prioritises their concerns and needs."

Final thoughts

Knowing the different types of job interviews and how to prepare for them can help you tailor your responses accordingly. This will show potential employers your commitment and set you apart from other job seekers.

Preparing specifically for each interview type requires extra time and effort, but it'll be worthwhile when you land your next great opportunity.

FAQs

1. What are the most common types of job interviews I might encounter?
   ⁠The most common types of job interviews are traditional one-on-one meetings, panel interviews, phone screening, video interviews, behavioural assessments, and case challenge interviews.
2. How can I differentiate between one-on-one and panel interviews?
   ⁠In a one-on-one interview, only one person will interview you. A panel interview, on the other hand, requires you to answer questions from multiple interviewers.
3. Is a phone interview considered a formal part of the interview process?
   ⁠A phone interview is usually an informal screening interview. However, it may be a formal interview if the employer is filling a remote, telemarketing, or call centre position.
4. What special considerations are there when preparing for a video interview?
   ⁠To get ready for a video interview, make sure you have a stable internet connection, check your audio settings, and download the videoconferencing platform the interview will use. You should also dress professionally and choose a quiet, well-lit location.
5. What is a behavioural interview, and how should I approach it differently?
   ⁠A behavioural interview assesses you based on your work experience and interactions. To ace this kind of interview, use the STAR method to answer questions and reflect on your experience before beginning the interview.
6. What is a case interview, and what skills are they seeking?
   ⁠In a case interview, the interviewer presents a business problem and asks you to devise a solution. They want to test your analytical and problem-solving skills.
7. Are there any other less common interview formats I should be aware of?
   ⁠Some other interview formats include an informational interview, technical interview, group interview, task-oriented interview, computer-assisted interview, stress interview, and career fair interview.
8. How can I best research a company and its interviewers before an interview?
   ⁠You can research the hiring company by visiting its website and social media pages and searching Google and Google News. If you know the interviewers' names, look them up on social networking websites.
9. Should I prepare different questions for the interviewer depending on the interview format?
   ⁠Yes. The types of interview questions you'll encounter depend on the interview format. Crafting tailored responses can help you make a great impression on the interviewer.
10. What are some general tips for staying calm and confident during any interview?
    ⁠To stay calm and confident in any job interview, you can do breathing exercises, eat a good breakfast, spend some time outdoors, and talk to a family member or friend before the interview. Being well-prepared can also help you reduce your anxiety and build confidence.