Job Interview Technique - Types of Job Interview Question, Answer

The interview is the hiring tool that most organizations use to select appropriate candidates. A job interview technique will help for a candidate to showcase his skills, knowledge base and work attitude. To do well at any job interview you will need to convince the interviewer that you are technically qualified to do the job. one of the key job interview technique is you should always look attentive - so do not slouch in your chair. An effective job interview technique is to adjust your speed of speech to match that of the interviewer and project a relaxed image. Read up on some vital points that will help you successfully carry you through an interview. On the other hand if you are part of the interview panel, some of the issues we discuss here might aid the process of conducting successful interviews.

Types of interviews

Screening Interview: This is the first stage in the interview process to ensure that the right kind of person is selected for the next stage of recruitment. Online tests and telephone interviews are common procedures.

Group interview: Several candidates are interviewed at once in this kind of interview. Group interview helps to identify candidates with leadership potential since they will take a more positive and dominant role in the group interview proceedings.

Panel interview: In a situation of this sort, a panel of interviewers conducts the interview. The job seeker can be quite intimidated by such an interview. It is important to make eye contact with each member of the panel while answering.

Stress interview: The candidate is put into a situation of stress such as rapid-fire questions. This technique is quite intimidating and is used to weed out the candidates who cannot handle stressful and adverse situations.

Selection Interview: This is the most important stage of the selection process. It is here that the employer makes a final decision about whom to hire.

Group Interview	Panel Interview	Phone Interviews

Phone interviews

Telephone interviews serve to screen candidates and narrow the applicant pool that is to be called for a personal interview. This technique of conducting a preliminary interview over the telephone minimizes expenses for the company, especially candidates from other cities. If a telephone interview has been scheduled, ensure that there are no interruptions. The interview answers must be given after careful thought. Keep a short list of accomplishments and a copy of your resume at hand. Sometimes, such phone interviews are recorded for a panel of interviewers to review.

Computer and Video Interviews
A computer interview could take on the form of an online test. Multiple-choice questions are framed for a job interview and the candidate has to take the test online. Video conferencing interviews are also popular these days as an alternative to face-to-face meetings.

Interviews– A human resource issue

Conducting a job interview

Conducting a job interview requires skill on the part of the interviewer. The interviewer must get to understand and gauge the candidate’s potential as well as skills. Content skills such as accounting or computer programming can be more easily measured. Functional skills, such as communication and people management are trickier to evaluate when you conduct a job interview. An interviewer should try and put the candidate at ease so as to get the best out of him. It is not polite to keep a candidate waiting. The way the interviewers conduct themselves at the interview reflects on the organizational culture and work ethics.

Most of the time, a seasoned interviewer starts by asking questions ‘triggered’ from a perusal of your resume. This makes it essential that due care is taken when you write your resume. Have an adequate explanation ready if there is a gap in your service period. Evasive answers will create a negative impression whilst a long-winded answer will equally appear vague and might dilute the positive points you may have painstakingly tried to garner. It should be borne in mind that, an interview is a kind of business negotiation. It is not always that the interests of both parties coalesce for their mutual benefits. As a prospective job applicant, it is in your own interest that you make the right impressions in the few minutes of your interview.

Behavioral Interviews – A novel and analytic style of conducting interviews

Behavioral interviews are based on the premise that past performance under similar circumstances is the best forecaster of future performance. This selection process helps in identifying candidates with values and behaviors that match the organization’s culture. This technique can even be extended to career development, performance measurement and training. It can be an ideal opportunity for an organization to increase the size and depth of its applicant pool. Candidates with little or no traditional experience can also be evaluated with such an interview technique. But it is necessary for the interviewer to possess the necessary interview skills so as to coordinate the discussion smoothly.

An interview of this kind begins with an opening question that is followed by many more probing ones to draw out responses based on experiences, events, accomplishments and actions from past jobs. A lead question would typically be a challenging real-life situation. The candidate is expected to demonstrate his competencies by giving specific examples from past experiences. It can be an excellent opportunity for the candidate to demonstrate his suitability for the post. This relatively radical style of interviewing was developed by industrial psychologists and is widely practiced in many organizations today. Interviewers have predetermined skills sets that they are seeking – leadership, motivation, team building skills and interpersonal skills. A sample interview question would be “How would you react if you spotted your colleague misusing office premises?” Another sample question is: “Can you think of a time when you have mediated successfully with two team members who couldn’t see eye-to-eye?”

Interview tips for the Candidate

The first interview tip for a prospective candidate is to understand that interviewing is all about selling yourself as a viable product to the organization. You need to convince them that you are better than the rest. Interview help in now available over the Internet. There are many sites offering advise on dressing up appropriately for the interview and even creating a resume that could get you a response. Peruse through the sample interview questions that appear at these web sites so as to prepare yourself adequately.

Getting ready for your Interview

Having prior knowledge of the company is a job interview technique that gives you an added advantage. Do your homework before the interview. Gather information about the company so that it can help prepare you for the interview. Acquaint yourself with the industry trends and developments. Identify the requirements that the position requires. Create a list of possible questions and suitable interview answers for them. Don’t leave aside the possibility of some unexpected questions.

Dressing appropriately: Your dress should be appropriate for the company dress culture. Loud makeup and fancy clothes are uncalled for. Personal appearance and demeanor can convey a lot about the kind of person you are.

Body language: Eye contact and body language can speak volumes. A relaxed and smiling face is a good way to begin. Facial expressions and gestures can communicate a lot. If you look away while listening, it shows lack of interest and a short attention span. A highly positive work attitude can give you a cutting edge over other candidates.

Questions that every candidate must ask at a job interview

An interview is not only about answering questions. The candidate must clarify the following aspects from the interviewers so as to get a clear idea about the job requirements and career growth prospects.

• General and specific skills needed
• Sphere of responsibility
• Training programs
• Career path
• Philosophy of the organization

Money is a sensitive issue and the interviewer should be allowed to bring it up first. An important interview tip for a candidate here is to give a range and not an exact figure when asked for the expected emolument. This can prevent you from being priced out of a job. This is a subtle interview skill whereby you don’t want the employer to think that he can’t afford you nor assume that you will be satisfied with a very poor salary structure.

A final job interview tips is to follow up on your interview. A brief thank you note reiterating some vital points discussed in the interview would be a graceful way to supplement the interview process.