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JOB SEARCH TIPS
TYPES
OF INTERVIEWS
There
are different types of interviews that you may encounter in your
search:
- Screening
- Initial
Interview
- Follow-up
Screening
Interview
Screening
interviews are used to narrow the field of qualified applicants
for a particular opening. You are usually being measured against
a predetermined set of job specifications by a person who often
has limited functional knowledge of the job. He or she looks for
candidates who match the requirements in front of them without
much deviation.
Your task
in this type of interview is to find out as much as you can about
the specifications and then show how you meet them. This type
of interview is often done by telephone prior to inviting candidates
to the company for a first interview.
Initial
Interview
The
interviewer’s purpose is to validate your credentials to
determine if you should be given serious consideration. At the
same time you will be given information about the job so that
you can decide if the position matches your goals and objectives.
Some suggestions:
- Ask for
information about the position early in the interview to help
make your responses relative.
- You can
help the interviewer match you to the position by giving concise
and illustrative answers. Cite specific examples whenever you
can.
- Do not
focus on pay or benefits at this stage of the interview. Instead,
discuss the contributions you will be able to make.
- If the
position seems interesting to you, make sure you communicate
this interest as well as your confidence in being successful
and your wish to return for further discussion.
- Before
leaving, ALWAYS clarify what the next step in the process will
be. If you feel it is appropriate, ask if you can call them
if you haven’t heard by a certain date.
Follow-up
Interview
If
you are invited back to meet with other company personnel, you
have clearly generated interest. Your objective is to confirm
an already good impression and/or resolve any issues of concern
to you or the company.
Follow-up
interviews may be scheduled with a superior, human resource manager,
or a peer who would interact with you if you took the job. It
is your responsibility to help them imagine you in the open position
by carefully planning and answering each question. In this interview
the main focus is likely to be how you will fit into the organization’s
work group.
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