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Are you a recruiter or hiring manager looking for candidate pre-employment assessment tests and tools including video interviews? We invite you to visit our Assess Candidates website.
What are interviews? What are the various types of interviews employers use? How can you prepare for your interviews? Get your answers in our complete guide below.
In this guide we explain what interviews are, provide some example interview questions and uncover key tips you can use to prepare for your next interview.
Our website provides video interview practice that can help you prepare for any of your interviews.
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Informal Interviews
Video Interviews
Competency Based Interviews
Strength-Based Interviews
Types of Interview Questions
How To Answer Interview Questions
Not sure if you should prepare for your upcoming interview?
More than half of all candidates are rejected at the first interview stage. A nationwide recruiter survey also found that 51% of recruiters use interview scheduling software. A further 28% are considering the move (Fennell, 2022; Yello, 2020).
Continue reading to get answers to the following critical interview questions:
Looking to get started with your interview prep? Practice 60+ interview sets with us and refine your interview technique as you answer commonly asked interview questions!
Without further ado, let’s get started!
A job interview is a conversation between an employer and a prospective candidate to determine if the candidate is the best fit for the job. It serves as a means to determine if the candidate aligns with the job requirements and company culture.
During interviews, employers typically assess the following:
Did you know? Interviews used to be a two to three-part hiring process. However, in recent times, interviews are also used at the final stage of an assessment centre.
Interviews come in different ranges and formats. Let’s explore the different types of interviews you might encounter and what each entails.
There are various types of job interviews that employers can use to evaluate you. Understanding how each type of interview differs from one another can help you prepare better.
Did you Know? Most organisations conduct some form of interview to recruit, the most common interview form being competency-based interviews at 51% (CIPD, 2022).
Below, we highlight and explain the most common types of interviews:
Phone Interviews
A phone interview is typically a phone conversation with a recruiter. They are often used as a preliminary screening tool to select qualified candidates. They are usually brief and focus on basic qualifications and experience.
In-person Interviews
In-person interviews are the most traditional type of job interview and they typically come after a phone interview. This interview happens physically and gives the recruiter a chance to evaluate your body language and attitude.
Video interviews are digital interviews that are conducted virtually and are typically used as an alternative to in-person interviews. They can be conducted live or recorded in advance.
Group Interviews
A group interview is a meeting-format interview with several candidates and one or two interviewers. They are often used to assess how candidates interact with others and may involve group activities or discussions.
Behavioural Interviews
Behavioural interviews are designed to assess how a candidate might handle or respond to specific situations on the job by asking predetermined questions that probe for behavioural patterns such as teamwork, mannerisms, etc.
Competency-Based Interviews
Commonly abbreviated as CBIs, competency-based interviews are used to evaluate key skills or competencies the employer requires for a particular position. This type of interview involves a set of predetermined questions.
A strength-based interview is an interview that allows candidates to expressly discuss their natural strengths and weaknesses and the workplace circumstances in which they best excel.
Prepare for your Competency-based, Strength based and behavioural video interview questions commonly used by top employers with our 60 unique video interview sets on our Practice Video Interviewing Platform.
The above types of interviews can also fall under formal and informal interviews. Let’s find out the differences below.
There are often two main styles of interviews that are commonly used by employers. These are formal interviews and informal interviews.
Formal Interviews
These are more structured and follow a set of predetermined questions. A formal interview focuses more on your skills and experience.
These are less structured and more conversational. They allow for more open-ended questions and dialogues that give the interviewer a better sense of the candidate’s personality and communication skills.
Let’s go further and understand the major differences between formal and informal interviews below.
Below we highlight the key differences between formal interviews and informal interviews:
Now that we know the major differences between formal and informal interviews, we should find out which interview different industries use.
Formal and informal interviews offer different benefits to both you and the employer during the interview process. Below we highlight the type of interview that is likely to be used by employers in different industries.
Good to Know: The style of interview used for your application will depend on the position and the hiring company’s preferences. Particularly, the nature of the role can give you a hint on whether your interview will be formal or informal.
Practice for formal and informal interviews and take your interviewing skills to the next level with our video interview tool.
Read on below to find out some commonly used interview questions from top employers that you can use to kickstart your interview preparation.
Interviews typically involve various types of questions to evaluate you for the skills and competencies required for the role you applied for. Below are some common interview questions employers use:
Below are more example interview questions from the Big 4 professional services firms to help you get started.
PwC uses a variety of interview questions across the many interview rounds you can expect. Some of these questions often include:
When applying to Deloitte, you can expect a variety of interview questions during the job simulation and final interview rounds. These often include:
During your EY interview rounds, you can expect motivational and competency-based questions, such as:
Your KPMG application process may involve a few rounds of interviews. During these, you can expect competency and behavioural-based questions, including:
Discover even more interview questions that you can practice with for your upcoming interview using our Question Identifier Tool!
Below are example answers to some of the job interview example questions we highlighted above.
How to Answer: Highlight how your skills and goals align with the role and express enthusiasm for the company’s mission or values. Show how this opportunity fits into your career journey and allows you to contribute meaningfully.
Good Answer:
Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about driving impactful solutions in technology. This role aligns perfectly with my skills in project management and data analysis, and it also offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative digital transformation projects.
What excites me most about this position is the chance to work at a company like yours which is known for its commitment to sustainability and innovation. I’m eager to bring my expertise to help achieve the company and team’s goals and continue growing within a forward-thinking organization like yours.
How to Answer: Watch our short video below for simple and easy tips on how to answer the commonly used interview question ‘Tell me about yourself’:
How to Answer: Use the STAR+R method to structure your response. Focus on a situation where your leadership had a clear, positive impact. Highlight decision-making, delegation, and results that align with the role.
Situation
During a key client project, our manager left unexpectedly, leaving the team without direction.
Task
I realised the need for someone to step up and ensure the team stayed on track to meet the deadline.
Action
I took the lead, reviewed the plan, clarified roles, held daily check-ins, updated the client, and resolved priority conflicts collaboratively.
Result
The team delivered on time, earning client praise and recognition from my manager for my leadership.
Reflection
This experience taught me the value of adaptability, clear communication, and motivating a team in uncertain times, skills I’ve applied to future projects.
Want to practice more interview questions and answers? Start your practice with GF today!
So how do you prepare for the various types and styles of job interviews? Read on to find out!
Thorough preparation for a job interview can significantly boost your chances of success. The better prepared you are, the more confident and composed you’ll feel during the interview.
Here are our team’s top 13 expertly curated tips to help you pass your upcoming interviews:
Check out our video below where we highlight 5 more key tips that will help you prepare for your job interviews on the day.
Now that we’ve covered major job interview tips, let’s find out some necessities you will need to bring to an interview!
Knowing what to bring to a job interview will help you make a great first impression and demonstrate to the recruiter that you are organised and prepared. Here are key things you should bring to a job interview:
Resume and Cover Letter
Bring several printed copies of your resume and cover letter for the interviewer. This shows that you are prepared and have a keen interest in the position.
References
Bring a list of professional references from previous employment or studies with you to the interview. These should be people who can personally attest to your skills and qualifications.
Pen and Notepad
Bring a pen and notepad to take notes during the interview. Taking notes shows the employer that you are attentive and interested in the conversation.
Portfolio
If you have a portfolio of your work, bring it along to showcase your skills and accomplishments.
Any Document Requested by the Employer
If the employer has requested any additional documents, such as certifications or licenses, make sure to bring those as well. Ensure to double-check the email invite!
Questions
Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer to show your interest in the company and the position. This can also help you determine if the role is a good fit for you.
Confidence
Show confidence through your body language and tone of voice. Maintain relaxed eye contact, sit up straight, and speak clearly. Remember, your answers aren’t the only things being assessed.
Did you know? In an online survey by Harris Poll, 67% of recruiters in the US consider eye contact as a crucial body language they take note of during an interview (L. Hayes, 2018).
Don’t miss our video below for even more body language tips you can use during your job interview.
Keep reading below to find a list of top questions that our experts recommend for you to ask in an interview to help you stand out.
An interview is also a good opportunity for you to ask the recruiter any questions you might have about the role or the company. Some people think asking your interviewer any questions is unnecessary or improper. Wrong!
Good to Know: Asking questions during a job interview is a great way to demonstrate your interest in the company and the position. It’s also an opportunity for you to stand out through thoughtful and insightful questions.
Below are some questions you might want to consider asking your interviewer in your next interview:
Discover 5 more questions you could ask in an interview with our short video below:
And that brings us to the end of our interview preparation guide. We’ve covered all the basic things you need to know ahead of your job interviews.
You may also consider checking our FAQs section below to find even more answers to frequently asked questions about preparing for a job interview.
When asked to talk about yourself in an interview, discuss the past, present, and possible future of your career. Begin by discussing your current role and a recent accomplishment. Then, talk about your relevant experience. Finally, discuss your future goals and how this position aligns with them.
Common examples of role play situations used in assessment centres are customer complaint resolution, handling an uncooperative team member, client relationship management, managing a workplace conflict, and leading a team meeting.
Interviews can range from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the position, employer, and type of interview. If the interview turns out to be a long stretch, there would be a break in between or you could request a short break if you need to.
When you hear back from an interview will vary depending on the company size. The employer will usually provide a timeline for when you may receive feedback regarding your interview. However, it’s a good idea to follow up with the employer after a week or two.
Do you want to pass your interviews the first time? Do you want to get access to informal interview questions? Start your interview practice with GF today, the only aptitude practice test expert providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe. Practice with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests.
Do you want to pass your interviews the first time? Do you want to get access to informal interview questions? Start your interview practice with GF today, the only aptitude practice test expert providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe.
Practice with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests.
Start Preparing Today
