The phone rings and a recruiter says “We’d like to bring you in for an interview.” In the heat of your excitement, don’t forget to find out what kind of interview to expect. Often the interviewer will tell you what you need to know, but if they don’t–ask!
There are several forms an interview can take, and each presents its own challenges.
It could be a video interview, a traditional one-on-one meeting on site; a sequential interview in which you meet with one interviewer after another; a formal panel interview with predetermined questions; or a case interview where you will be required to demonstrate your skills by working through a specific challenge similar to the demands of the job, or even a group interview where more than one candidate is present.
The type of interview has an influence on how you need to prepare. But here’s one good tip for all types of interviews: look up the company on Glassdoor to see whether other candidates have shared about their experiences in interviewing there! This can be valuable “inside” information.
Knowing what to expect helps to prevent a stressful surprise on the big day.