Your Guide to Nailing Interviews

Common interview types include traditional meetings, phone conversations, and video conferences using platforms like Skype and Spark Hire. Employers pick formats that reflect their organizational values and enable them to test candidates for preferred skills and characteristics. Fortunately, companies usually disclose the interview format beforehand, allowing you to prepare and succeed.

Email interviews are less common because they do not allow employers and candidates to engage in real-time conversation. Employers may use an email exchange as a preliminary interview before asking you to meet in person or via phone or video conference. You may receive an email interview request in reference to a remote position. Completing an email interview is similar to crafting a cover letter for a position. Be sure to expound on the qualifications on your resume while responding specifically to the potential employer’s questions.

A phone interview offers recruiters and HR staff a convenient way to narrow down the applicant pool before inviting candidates to in-person meetings. You should review the position and research the company beforehand to ensure you can succinctly relate your skills and experience to the requirements. Preparation also enables you to converse in ways that demonstrate a good fit with the company’s culture.

Video conferencing software allows employers to conduct inexpensive remote interviews to get an accurate read of an applicant’s professional qualifications and personal characteristics. You may receive a request for a live interview or a recorded video. In either case, you should dress appropriately, maintain eye contact with the camera, and present yourself with enthusiasm. For camera-shy individuals, practice is key to controlling nervous energy. The interview space should have adequate lighting without visual or auditory background distractions. High-speed internet is a must for the best-quality video stream.

Project-based interviews generally occur in the later stages of the hiring process, when companies need to decide among the remaining applicants. Like the name states, a project-based interview comprises an assignment or task that shows your skills in action. Projects differ by industry, but companies usually want to assess your creativity, turnaround speed, communication/presentation style, and deliverable quality. Before you dive into the project, be sure you fully understand the instructions and ask clarifying questions as necessary. Your work should demonstrate the initiative to deliver beyond the bare minimum to complete the project.

As the most popular interview type, in-person meetings occur during the final stages of the hiring process. You should be prepared for any format including one-on-one, group (with multiple applicants), or panel (with multiple interviewers).

In addition to making sure you’re dressed appropriately and empowered with knowledge about the company and role, you must be ready to relay quantifiable career achievements and relevant anecdotes. During the conversation, demonstrate enthusiasm (without going overboard), acknowledge nonverbal cues, and engage the interviewer regarding their work as well as the position for which you are interviewing. While it is crucial to provide details about your career, you shouldn’t oversell accomplishments or speak negatively about previous employers.

Even within the same industry, employers operate under different hiring priorities. However, certain interview questions remain standard. This section covers six major question categories and provides strategies on how to effectively answer these inquiries. Through analyzing a company’s website, especially its press releases and annual reports, you may get a feel for other questions you might be asked during an interview.

Interviewers want to get to know applicants as people who possess both positive attributes and — of course — some flaws. Questions about character dig into what motivates you and how you relate to others.

Employers want to know that candidates possess the necessary skills and qualifications to perform their job exceptionally well. These questions will allow you to elaborate on the information in your resume and cover letter.

Knowledge and skills are meaningless if you cannot successfully apply them in relevant work settings. Questions about work history allow employers to see your qualifications in action.

When vetting potential managers and directors, interviewers want to know if a candidate’s leadership style aligns with best practices and fits into the company culture. These questions examine your ability to work with supervisors and colleagues.

Employers want to confirm that the candidate, if hired, will stick around to help the company grow. These questions analyze your career goals for alignment with the employer’s long-term objectives.

These inquiries test a professional’s knowledge of industry standards, specifically the recommended pay scale for their level of skill and experience. This is one of the most difficult portions of a job interview. You need to answer any salary questions carefully.

You can navigate any interview scenario by being prepared. Research the position, company, and industry thoroughly and connect organizational requirements and goals to your career experiences. On interview day, arrive 10-15 minutes before the meeting, ready to engage the interviewer enthusiastically. During the conversation, be ready to ask intelligent questions as well as provide thoughtful answers. After the interview, send thank-you messages to maintain the interviewer’s interest. Although employers design interviews to challenge professionals, they ultimately want you to succeed because a win for you (your dream job) equals a win for them (a qualified and passionate employee).