September 10, 2024

What is Interview and Types of Interviews

An interview is a formal conversation between two or more individuals, where one party (the interviewer) asks questions to gather information from the other party (the interviewee). Interviews are commonly used in hiring processes, research, and journalism to assess skills, gather insights, or evaluate opinions. Types of Interviews

An interview is a formal conversation between two or more individuals, where one party (the interviewer) asks questions to gather information from the other party (the interviewee). Interviews are commonly used in hiring processes, research, and journalism to assess skills, gather insights, or evaluate opinions.

Types of Interviews

  1. Structured Interview
    • Pre-defined set of questions
    • Same questions are asked of all candidates
    • Focuses on consistency and comparison
    • Common in formal hiring processes
  2. Unstructured Interview
    • No specific set of questions
    • Allows flexibility in the conversation
    • Often used to explore new ideas or uncover more in-depth information
  3. Semi-Structured Interview
    • Mix of structured and unstructured formats
    • Some pre-determined questions with room for follow-ups
    • Balances consistency with exploration
  4. Behavioral Interview
    • Focuses on past behavior and experiences
    • Questions like “Tell me about a time when…” are common
    • Assumes past behavior is a good predictor of future performance
  5. Panel Interview
    • Multiple interviewers questioning a single candidate
    • Allows for a variety of perspectives in evaluating the candidate
  6. Group Interview
    • Multiple candidates are interviewed at the same time
    • Used to assess teamwork, leadership, and group dynamics
  7. Case Interview
    • Candidates are given a problem to solve or a case to analyze
    • Common in consulting and strategy-related jobs
    • Assesses analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills
  8. Technical Interview
    • Focuses on evaluating a candidate’s technical skills and expertise
    • Common in fields like software development, engineering, and IT
  9. Phone/Video Interview
    • Conducted remotely via phone or video conferencing tools
    • Often used for initial screenings or remote work situations
  10. Stress Interview
    • Designed to test how candidates perform under pressure
    • Includes challenging or uncomfortable questions