This type of interview usually happens when there are a multitude of applicants for only one or a few positions. In a screening interview, a member of the personnel department meets with you and reviews your qualifications in order to insure that you fulfill the basic requirements of the job. This type of interview might seem a bit impersonal because usually what the interviewer does is go through a checklist of items with the purpose of weeding out unqualified candidates. Your objective in this type is to clarify anything that is confusing or ambiguous on your resume so you will be called for another interview.
This is the most typical that you will have. The company has decided that you have qualifications for the job and one wants to see if you will fit in with the rest of the department and if you are the most qualified candidate for the job. You will need to follow the interviewing tips that are listed in this section. Your objective is to sell yourself to the interviewer. Establish a rapport with the interviewer and leave him with the impression that you are confident and beneficial to the company.
This type of interviewing is the exception rather than the rule. The interviewer can be sarcastic, argumentative and insulting. They may keep you waiting for a long period of time. The objective of the interviewer is to see how you handle stress. If you walk into this type of interview, do not take it personally. The way to handles the situation is to calmly answer each question. If you need clarification for a question, ask for it and take you time with your answers. If the interviewer is silent for a while, don't panic. Just be patient. If a minute goes by, ask if he needs clarification on your last answer.
The lunch interview may seem more casual, but only the setting is. The same rules that apply for office interviewing apply here. You need to be sure to brush up on your table etiquette, do your homework, prepare your questions, bring multiple copies of you documents and dress conservatively. You also need to follow his or her lead in the selection of food. If she orders a dinner salad and an ice tea, do not order surf and turf with extra fries and 3 cokes.
Committee interviews are gaining popularity, especially within large companies. There will be several members of a company and each one will ask you questions. When answering, look to the person who has asked the question. You do not have to address the entire group. You may be given a hypothetical situation where you must demonstrate problem solving skills. Remember, you do not have to achieve a solution, just a plan to deal with the problem.
A group interview is usually used if you are applying for a managerial type position. The objective of the interview is to see how you fit in the department or the company and the group gets to know you better and interact with you.
The Second Interview
If the company that you are interviewing with generally conducts a series of interviews and you get a second one, that means they are interested in you. Generally, during the first interview, the interviewer has asked most of the questions. If you gain a second interview, you might be expected to ask the questions. Be sure to compose a list of questions before the interview. The questions should be constructive and show you in your best light. For example,
What skills will I be building and what
skills will I need to be promoted to the next level?
This shows that you are focused on doing a good job and are also looking to
improve yourself and perhaps beneficial to the company.
May I spend a day with someone who now holds the job, or could someone in that job describe a typical day for me?
What are the training opportunities at your company? Are training programs formal or informal?
Although you should have plenty of questions to ask, there are some that you should not ask because they will set the interviewer to wonder about your work ethic.
DO NOT ASK
When is my first vacation?
How many hours a day do you expect met to work?
When can I retire?
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