Basic principles
Interviews vary enormously. Most people’s conception of an interview is a classic one-on-one interview, which is what most candidates may well be expecting; however, there are a multitude of possible scenarios.
- Classic one-on-one interviews
- Panel interviews
- Competency-based interviews
- Psychometric and aptitude tests
- Presentations
- Group interviews
- Assessment centres
- Distance interviews
The interview may be a quick, informal chat across a crowded office or it could involve a panel of interviewers all firing questions at you. You may be asked to sit an aptitude test or prove that you have the necessary skills for the job, a typing test, for example. There may even be group activities with other candidates, designed to see how you perform in a team situation.
Often, candidates fail to perform to the best of their abilities because they were thrown into a situation they were not expecting.
My advice?
You can’t prepare for every eventuality, but you can certainly prepare for most, and in the following chapters I will cover all the most likely scenarios.
Second and third interviews
Generally, you will only be expected to attend one interview. However, it is important for you to be aware that many employers will require a second interview, or even a third.
The advice in this book applies equally to all interviews whether your first, second or third – the basic principles remain the same.
You shouldn’t necessarily expect that each of the interviews will be of the same type, though. Your first interview might be by telephone, followed by a panel interview and ending with an assessment centre for your third interview. Regardless of the scenario, second and third interviews are generally more intensive and detailed.
There’s nothing to worry about, though. If you’ve planned and prepared for all the following possible interview scenarios, then you should be able to sail through the process, no matter how many interviews you are subjected to.
You should also find that the first interview gives you some idea of what to expect in your second or third interviews, enabling you to be fully prepared.