5 popular types of interview styles you should know!

Statistically, a job interview that is 10% more challenging and innovative in its approach will lead to 2.6% higher employee satisfaction. The current job market is saturated with graduates who are highly skilled and over-qualified. Therefore, there is now an emergence of new and novel types of interview styles to challenge and stimulate candidates as creatively as possible. 

Companies around the world are adopting unique and unconventional ways of testing a candidate’s proficiency and knowledge. 

Are you a graduate with the relevant qualification waiting to secure your dream employment opportunity? If yes, then advance preparation for any kind of interview you may face can be beneficial. 

Here are the 5 most popular types of interview styles that you should know of!

Conversational interviews 

• Conversational interviews are among the most common types of interview styles. 
• These are creating an amicable environment that can encourage open-ended questions from both sides. 
• Conversational interviews are one-on-one. Some employers may even consider taking the interview out of the workplace and conducting the same in an informal setting like a coffee shop. 

How to perform well

• Approach the interview as honestly and politely as possible. 
• Go through your CV thoroughly to ensure there are no discrepancies. This is primarily because conversational interviewers will have a copy of your CV handy when conducting the same. 
• Do not interrupt the interviewer and allow them to finish their statements and questions before replying. 

Behavioural interviews 

• Behavioral interviews are among the types of interview styles that are getting to know your thinking patterns and how you will behave in certain situations. 
• Questions asked in these types of interviews can range from being broad (“Tell me about how you work under pressure”) to specific (designed to highlight a certain situation in the workplace). 
• The latter type of question helps interviewers understand how you will behave in different kinds of professional situations.

How to perform well

• When answering behavioral questions, it is important to identify the following: 
  • Situation – The background and context. 
  • Target – The goal to achieve and barriers to overcome.
  • Action – The action you take to overcome the barriers.
  • Result – The outcome to expect as a result of your action. 
• Consider spending some time researching different kinds of behavioral questions and structuring your answers according to the above tips. 

Task-oriented interviews 

• Task-oriented interviews are a specific type of interview that provides room for you to demonstrate your analytical & creative abilities. 
• The questions can often be solved with specific tasks & exercises. 
• Some interviewers may even present you with a test to evaluate your technical skills & knowledge. 
• Presenting a presentation is an example of a task-oriented interview that helps determine your abilities to translate data and communicate effectively. 

How to perform well

• Revising key concepts and skills before this type of interview can be a great way to prepare and present with confidence. 
• There is absolutely no problem in asking for clarification on the task that you need to complete during the interview. Clearly understanding of what to expect can help you perform accordingly. 
• Remember to be calm and focused on the skills and knowledge that you picked up during the course of your formal training. 

Stress interviews 

• Stress interviews are among the types of interview styles that are most recognized for their grueling nature. 
• These interviews deliberately put you in a stressful situation. 
• Stress interviews are recruiting candidates for high-pressure positions. 
• The interviewing style is aggressive and can be a great way to understand how you respond under pressure and scrutiny. 

How to perform well

• Performing well in these types of interview styles is as simple as keeping your cool in the face of aggressive questioning. 
• Remember to not lose your cool. Responding to each question as politely and professionally as possible can definitely earn you brownie points! 
• Stick to answering as honestly as possible. Providing misleading answers can be detrimental to your securing the opportunity, if & when recognized. 

Panel interviews 

• If the position you are applying for includes working in a team and reporting to several people, panel interviews are often part of the selection. 
• In a panel interview, questions are asked by more than one interviewer at a time. Some companies may even conduct panel interviews with 5 interviewers questioning 1 candidate! 
• The interviewers comprising the panel will often represent different areas of the company. 

How to perform well

• Since your interviewers perform different roles in the company, it is important to understand that each representative will consider your application differently. 
• Doing some research on the Head of Departments in the organization beforehand is a great way to be well-prepared. 
• If needed, you can also ask for a brief introduction to the different panel members before beginning the interview. 
• Answer each question directly, and consider elaborating by approaching the perspectives of the other panel members. For example, when talking about managing a team, you can also emphasize the need for interdepartmental cooperation. 

Key takeaways 

• The current global market is saturated with over-qualified candidates seeking remarkable employment opportunities. 
• As a result of the growing competition, different organizations have adopted unique approaches to traditional interviewing. 
• Understanding the different types of interview styles conducted can be a great way to streamline your preparation process. 
• Practicing your performance with the given tips can help you put your best foot forward, regardless of which type of interview you face!

Understanding various interview styles is essential for any job seeker looking to navigate the competitive landscape of today’s job market. We hope this blog provided you with insights into the different approaches employers use to assess candidates.. If you require further assistance with your study abroad journey, then feel free to reach out to us!

Liked this blog? Read more: 50+ must-know interview questions for students.

FAQs 

Q1. Can interviews be conducted at career fairs hosted by universities? 

Answer – Yes! These are impromptu interviews and usually last 10 to 15 minutes in duration. Often, your performance in an impromptu interview can help shortlist you for the next round of the selection process. 

Q2. Should I ask follow-up questions during the interview? 

Answer – Asking follow-up questions is a great way to demonstrate your initiative and enthusiasm towards securing the opportunity in question. Remember to ask intelligent questions that display some prior thought and research. 

Q3. Can all of the above-listed interviews be online? 

Answer – Given the current circumstances, interviews may be conducted online. Yes, the interviews listed in the blog can be conducted on an online video conferencing platform. You will receive the details and URL link to your interview a day or two before the scheduled date.