Typical Job Interviews
- Employers use preliminary telephone interviews to save time and expense during the initial stage of the recruitment and selection process. A preliminary interview via phone allows recruiters to verify an applicant's work history as well as confirm that he's still interested in the job. For recruiters who spend hours and days reviewing hundreds and even thousands of applications and resumes, conducting structured phone interviews helps them quickly and efficiently narrow the field of viable candidates.
- Employers who participate in job fairs sometimes offer on-the-spot interviews for job seekers who brave the crowds looking for immediate consideration. Though the success rate for actual hires resulting from on-the-spot interviews can be relatively low, there's an advantage in giving applicants the opportunity to make a strong, face-to-face first impression. The Society of American Foresters uses on-the-spot interviews in coordination with the annual Society of Range Management convention, and lauds the process. It engages job applicants quickly and encourages candidates to showcase their best skills and qualifications to compete for quick entry to careers in forestry and range management. This is a very competitive job interview process, particularly when unemployment rates are high.
- Recruiters and hiring managers often rely on one-on-one, in-person interviews to determine a candidate's suitability. The purpose of this type of interview is two-fold. Employer representatives learn more about candidates' qualifications and they can evaluate how well candidates articulate their ability to perform the job tasks. One-on-one interviews give candidates an opportunity to learn more about what the company offers in the way of professional opportunities, employee benefits and training and development. An effective one-on-one interview enables the most comfortable exchange of information, ideas and future career plans.
- Panel interviews can be stressful for entry-level professionals or candidates not accustomed to speaking to groups of people; however, they provide a terrific opportunity for employers to gain insight from each panel member's unique perspective. Interviewers ask candidates a series of questions in round-robin fashion and each panel member usually takes her own notes about every response the candidate gives. At the end of the interview, panel members discuss their opinions about the candidate's responses and reach a consensus or vote whether to make the job offer.