Preliminary interviews / screening

Screening interviews can be conducted over the phone or face-to-face. Most often, the interviewer will not be the final decision maker. Its purpose is to determine what kind of person you are and whether or not you have got the right qualifications.

If you pass this screening, you'll be invited for a selection interview.

Selection interviews

The purpose of selection interviews is finding the best possible candidate for a job. It's possible that there will only be one interview, but you should be prepared for a number of them.

If you are invited to different interviews, you'll most likely experience some different interview types along the way.

One-on-one

A common type of interview, the one-on-one interview involves you and the recruiter. Ideally, you'll be able to establish a relaxed and friendly conversation with each other.

Group interviews / panel interviews

A variation on the one-on-one interview, this type confronts you with a number of people from different departments who will be asking you questions. Do not neglect to keep eye contact with each interlocutor for the same amount of time.

Peer group

Peer group interviews are conducted by future colleagues who will judge your ability to perform the job you are applying for. They will also determine whether or not you'd be a suitable colleague.

Sometimes peer group interviews are a series of one-on-one interviews. During these committee interviews you'll usually move from one colleague to another, starting off with a junior employee. The final interview will be held by the head of the department.

Lunch

However pleasant this kind of interview might seem, never forget that you are not just having a social lunch. Stay focused, and don't let the atmosphere tempt you into saying things you don't want to. Do not order alcohol and pick a healthy meal that you can eat without staining your clothes. You don't want to end your lunch covered in spaghetti sauce.

Work sample

You'll be asked to perform one of the typical tasks that were listed in the job description.

Stress

This kind of interview is designed to make you feel uncomfortable. Your interlocutor might ask you offensive or absurd questions to test your stress resilience. Never take this type of interview personally and keep a cool head.