19 Types of Interviews And How To Prepare

Finding a job in our competitive work environment can be tricky. Opportunities are scarce, and you have to go through extensive interview processes.

This can be a bit intimidating if you’re not familiar with the different types of interviews. So, if you’re interested in discovering more, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, like how to prepare for an interview.

What Is the Best Type of Interview?

The best type of interview will depend on the business. Typically, most companies consider structured and behavioral interviews the best way to go.

That’s because using these variations can give you a lot of insight into a potential employee. You’ll discuss aspects like opinions, goals, behavior, and experience.

This will give the employer a more in-depth picture of what they’re signing up for.

It also gives interviewees a chance to ask questions and get to know the company they’re applying for.

How Do You Know What Interview Type Yours Will Be?

Figuring out what type of interview you’ll be heading into can be a bit of a challenge. Sometimes a company will outline its application process online. Although, this isn’t common practice.

So, you’ll probably have to ask a human resource representative. These agents should be able to detail what the interview will entail.

Here are a few examples of what to ask HR:

• What will the interview focus on?
• Is there something specific that I should expect from the interview?
• What type of interview should I prepare for?

Types of Interviews

After finding out what type of interview you’re going into, you can start preparing. Let’s take a look at what you can do to get ready.

1. Structured Interview

The structured interview is one of the most commonly used interview types. It revolves around a standardized test with specific questions in a set order.

Typically, the queries will all be close-ended, meaning they have yes or no answers.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

Structured interviews are an excellent way of eliminating bias in the hiring process. Since all applicants answer the same questions, everyone gets a fair shot.

That makes it easier for a company to test hundreds of potential employees in no time.

How to Prepare

The fastest way to prepare for this type of interview is to research the role you’re applying for. You can even find example questions online.

2. Semi-Structured Interview

This is similar to structured interviews, but interviewers don’t rely on standardized queries. Instead, they’ll cover more open-ended questions.

For example, the interviewer can ask, where do you see yourself in five years?

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

Semi-structured interviews encourage two-way communication. Because the questions aren’t standardized, interviewees can ask some of their own.

How to Prepare

A quick and easy way to prepare for this interview is to practice with a friend. Have them ask you a few questions about your best and worst attributes.

3. Unstructured Interview

As you can guess by the name, this interview type has almost no structure. The interviewer will begin the process without a plan for the questions.

This creates a much more relaxed and friendly environment.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representatives.

What It’s For

This type allows the interviewers to get to know the applicants more. That’s why it’s usually reserved for higher positions, rather than entry-level ones.

How to Prepare

A great way to prepare is by researching the company you’re applying to. This research will give you an idea of what they’re seeking.

4. Group Interview

A group interview suggests that more than two people participate in the process. Typically, this format will work with multiple candidates and one interviewer.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representatives.

What It’s For

This interview type is best for hiring a large group of employees quickly. It can also be useful when looking for specific skills in workers.

How to Prepare

With this variety, it’s best to plan an opening statement. You’ll only have a few minutes to introduce yourself. So, make sure you stand out from the bunch.

5. Traditional Interview

This is probably the type we’re most familiar with. It’s similar to a semi-structured interview, but a little more relaxed.

The interviewer will ask the applicants questions to get to know them better.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

Traditional interviews help build a rapport between the candidate and the company. In addition, it requires very little prep work.

How to Prepare

An easy way to prepare is to come up with an outline of all the topics you want to cover. This will ensure that you don’t forget to mention your strengths and what you can bring to the table.

6. Phone Interview

This type of interview happens solely over the phone. This is usually a preliminary meeting to see if you’d be a good fit for the job.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

Phone interviews help test the application’s skills without meeting them in person.

How to Prepare

To prepare for a phone interview, write down a checklist with all your best attributes.

7. Video Interview

We conduct video interviews over the internet, using a chat app like Zoom.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

Video interviews serve the same purpose as phone ones, but with a more personal flare.

How to Prepare

The first step of acing a video interview is finding a great and preferably formal outfit. Just because the interviewee is at home doesn’t mean this isn’t an official meeting.

8. Case Interview

With this type, the interviewer will give the candidate a real-world issue and ask them to solve it. That allows employers to judge an applicant’s ability to do the job they’re interviewing for.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

Generally, this interview is for people with highly specialized skills. For example, when applying for a consulting job, you’ll likely get a case interview.

How to Prepare

Preparing for this type of interview can be incredibly tricky. That’s why you need to brush up on the company’s policies and your technical skills.

9. Puzzle Interview

A puzzle interview comes in the form of a riddle. The interviewer will ask a challenging question and see how you approach answering it.

This is identical to the case variety, but the questions here are much more imaginative.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

This type of interview assesses an employee’s critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

How to Prepare

It’s almost impossible to prepare for every possible question. So, the trick to a puzzle interview is to take your time.

Don’t rush to an answer and examine all sides of the issue before trying to solve it.

10. Lunch Interview

This is when you meet the interviewer outside the workplace and share a meal in the afternoon. It’s a type of informal interview.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

This is an informal way of getting to know a potential candidate.

How to Prepare

The best prep is to put on a formal outfit and arrive early to the lunch appointment.

11. Working Interview

This interview involves the candidate performing a specific task to display their abilities.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

A working interview is a way for employers to gauge the skills of the applicants.

How to Prepare

To prepare for this interview, you have to be ready to answer questions about your process. Make sure you’re mindful of all the steps you’re taking and be ready to explain them.

12. Panel Interview

This is a type of group interview. Typically, that means a panel of judges will determine if a single candidate is a good fit for a position.

Who Conducts It

A panel of human resource representatives.

What It’s For

Panel interviews help employers gauge the full skill set of a candidate.

How to Prepare

To prepare, you’ll want to practice your body language gestures and eye contact skills.

13. Career Fair Interview

Career fair interviews are ‌short and only cover the basic data about a specific job.

Who Conducts It

Employers, or human resource representatives.

What It’s For

Career fairs are a way for employers to find new applicants with minimal experience.

How to Prepare

The key to a good career fair interview is friendly rapport. Make sure to be as polite as possible and always wear a smile on your face.

14. Serial Interview

This type is a combination of traditional and group interviews.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

Serial interviews help employers run through a large group of applicants quickly.

How to Prepare

The preparation here is the same as for traditional interviews. Outline and emphasize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.

15. Behavioral Interview

Behavioral interviews focus on an applicant’s previous experience. The interviewer will ask how the candidate handled specific situations in the past.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

This interview can highlight if a candidate’s attitude works well with company policies.

How to Prepare

With a behavioral interview, you have to do plenty of research. Find all the information available on the company policies and make sure to follow them.

16. Stress Interview

In these interviews, employers will test your ability to think on your feet. They place you in a stressful situation and see how you handle it.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

This interview simulates the stressful environment of certain jobs. That allows employers to access applicants in real-world situations.

How to Prepare

The trick to a successful stress interview is to control your breathing. Keeping calm is the only way to pass.

17. Testing Interview

This type of interview usually involves a written or an oral test.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

This type of interview examines an applicant’s knowledge in a specific field.

How to Prepare

To prepare, you’ll need a full understanding of the job role. Research similar positions in other companies to help you get a better picture.

18. Exit Interview

This is a meeting between a terminated employee and the HR department.

Who Conducts It

Human resource representative.

What It’s For

Companies conduct these to get feedback and a better understanding of the workflow.

How to Prepare

When going in for an exit interview, you have to prepare yourself to be as honest as possible. It’s also a good idea to have a list of suggestions to make the workplace more efficient.

19. Final Interview

This is the final stage of any interviewing process. After that, a candidate will find out if they got the job.

Who Conducts It

A member of the company’s senior leadership.

What It’s For

This interview will help narrow down a short list of candidates to one employee.

How to Prepare

Ideally, it’s best to treat the final interview as if it were your first. Answer all questions with the same enthusiasm, even if you’ve heard them before.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping Up

There are a few different types of interviews that you should be aware of. These include structured, semi-structured, and unstructured.

Other than that, there are also behavioral, group, and panel interviews. To make sure you prepare for the right one, call the human resource department and ask them for details.

If you have any more questions about interviews, feel free to leave us a comment.