Working Interview

Finding out that you have a working interview can be a little nerve-racking. You start worrying about having to show off your skills in public.

Luckily, the complete guide can help you out. If you’re nervous about the interview, then you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the meeting. We’ll also cover what to wear and how to follow up once the interview ends.

What Is a Working Interview?

Most of the time, an interview is a short chat between an employer and a potential candidate. However, there are many other types of interviews.

For example, companies can sometimes ask applicants to display their hands-on skills.

We call that a working interview. Rather than traditional interview questions, they ask you to perform a certain task.

This activity will demonstrate your ability to execute the job you’re applying for. Essentially, this is a trial run to see if an applicant is a good fit for a position.

Are Working Interviews Legal?

These interviews are legal if you meet specific criteria. To understand that, let’s take a look at the origin of the meetings.

Working interviews started out as a way for temp agencies to promote their workers. They’d allow businesses to hire their laborers on a trial basis.

That means the temp agency pays the employee for the work they do. They’ll also be responsible for any insurance premiums.

So, when a company holds a working interview without a middleman, legality can be an issue.

What Jobs Require a Working Interview?

A working interview can apply to almost any job search activity. The idea behind it is that an employer wants to test out an applicant before they go through the hiring process.

That means that as long as they involve a temp agency, any company can ask for a working interview.

How Are Working Interviews Beneficial?

Now that you know what a working interview is, we can take a look at some of its advantages.

For starters, you get a sense of the role you’re applying for. You’ll get a full rundown of the tasks and duties that you’re expected to perform.

This will help you decide if the position is what you’re looking for.

In addition, as you try out the job, you’ll experience the company culture. Applicants will get a chance to interact with other employees and get a feel for the environment.

Lastly, all candidates have an opportunity to show off their skills. Everyone will get a fair shot at performing the task.

Downsides of Working Interviews

Even though working interviews have many benefits, they also have a few drawbacks.

First off, it can take quite a long time to complete the process. The interview starts off with a screening phase that can last for a few days.

Then, the applicant will need to free up a large chunk of time for the task itself. This will be different for every position.

Sometimes the company will ask for a whole day, and others it’ll require a full week’s work.

That brings us to our second issue, which is scheduling. With a working interview, setting a complete timetable can be a little tricky.

This may make it almost impossible for some candidates to apply.

What to Expect During a Working Interview

With the benefits and drawbacks of working interviews out of the way, let’s dissect the process. Here are a few key aspects of a working meeting.

How Long Is a Typical Working Interview?

Typically, this interview will last a full working day. Yet, this isn’t always the case.

Depending on the position you’re applying for, the employer will have different needs. For that reason, the duration can differ.

For example, if you’re applying for a blue-collar job, chances are the interview will be short.

The employer will only want to find out that you can use a few tools and have some basic knowledge.

This means the process could take a day, or maybe even less.

Other positions need a little more time to judge. If the job requires specialized skills testing, it may take a couple of days, or longer, for the process to wrap up.

What Should You Bring to a Typical Working Interview?

Figuring out what you should pack for a working interview may be challenging. Unless you know the exact nature of the position, you’ll have a hard time guessing what you need.

That’s why it’s always a good idea to call the human resources department or a hiring manager. Both will be able to tell you what the meeting will entail.

Although, there are a few items that are always good to have on hand. That includes your resume and a sample of your previous work.

Other than that, it’s also good practice to write down notes during the interview. For that, you’ll need a laptop or a notepad and a pen.

What Should You Wear for a Working Interview?

For the most part, you can treat a working meeting just like a traditional interview. That means you should dress to impress.

Usually, it’s best to walk in with appropriate interview attire. This includes formal wear, like a wrinkle-free shirt and dress pants.

Although, this can change based on the company you’re applying to. Some employers will ask the applicants to wear comfortable gear to make the test easier.

For that reason, it’s crucial that you contact human resources. They should be able to tell you exactly what to wear to the interview.

What You’ll Do During a Working Interview

To help make your working interview experience more pleasant, here’s what you can expect.

Right off the bat, you should know that you’ll need to perform real work. The potential employer will give you tasks that are integral to the workflow of the company.

So, you should treat the interview as if you already got the job. That means delivering the tasks on time to the best of your abilities.

Other than that, the process may include a technical skill assessment. This can be a written test or an oral interview.

Finally, at the end of the process, expect a debriefing session. The employer will ask you to describe your experience and what you can do to improve it.

Feel free to give as much feedback as you like during this section

Are Working Interviews Paid?

Ideally, employers should compensate candidates for a working interview. Although, this can be a slightly gray area.

When the interview process goes through legal channels, then applicants get paid.

However, if the company is holding the meetings independently, they may withhold compensation.

That’s why you must contact a hiring manager before the interview. Make sure to ask plenty of questions about the schedule and the earning system.

Other than that, the form of compensation can also change. Most of the time, employers will pay an hourly rate, but they can also give out a fixed sum.

This will be around the minimum wage and rarely exceeds it.

Does a Working Interview Mean You’ll Get the Job?

Working interviews are generally a positive sign, but they don’t necessarily mean you got the job.

You’ll need to wait for the interviewer to evaluate your work and test any other applicants. Once that’s done, they have to contact the hiring manager for further instructions.

That means, even if you ace the interview, there’s a chance a different candidate will get the position.

What Happens After a Working Interview?

After the process, the interviewer should let you know what happens next. Typically, the hiring manager will take a few days to review all the applicants.

Then, they’ll reach out with an answer.

Unfortunately, that means it’s a waiting game, but you don’t have to stand by for too long. Once about five business days have gone by, you can reach out to human resources.

They should be able to tell you if the interview process is still going on.

Tips for a Working Interview

After discussing working meetings basics, we can take a look at a few interview tips. These should help you make the most out of the process.

• Research the company and interviewer thoroughly
• Establish realistic expectations before the interview process begins
• Dress and act professionally at all times
• Be confident and don’t be afraid to ask questions
• Get to know the people around you
• Be enthusiastic and pay attention to details

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping Up

If you’re headed into a working interview, there are a couple of aspects that you should be aware of.

For starters, you should treat the meeting like you would a traditional interview. That means dressing to impress and performing to the best of your abilities.

Other than that, you should know that these job interviews can take a while. Some last for a full day, while others can take longer.

Finally, most applicants should get some type of compensation for their work.

If you have any more job interview questions, make sure to leave a comment down below.