Interview Formats
Types of Interview Formats
There are many different types of interviews and companies may use different formats depending on the role they're hiring for and what they want to learn about the candidate. Interviews can be conducted in-person, over the phone, or virtually using video conferencing software, and the number of interviewers can range from a single person for 1-on-1 interviews, panel interviews with 2 or more interviewers, or even group interviews with multiple interviewers and candidates at the same time.
Common interview formats include:
Common interview formats include:
- Asynchronous or One-way Interviews (AI-assisted or AI-led)
- Behavioral Interviews
- Case Study Interviews
- Competency-based Interviews
- Task-Oriented or Technical Interviews
Asynchronous Video Interviews
Asynchronous video interviews (sometimes called "one-way interviews") are when companies invite candidates to record and submit their responses to a set of interview questions in advance for recruiters or hiring managers to review at a later time. This interview format is becoming more common as companies look to automate, speed up, and optimize their hiring processes, and while candidates may or may not agree
How to Prepare for Asynchronous Video Interviews and Tips for Success
How to Prepare for Asynchronous Video Interviews and Tips for Success
- Come prepared with examples of your past experiences. Questions asked in behavioral interviews should be based on the core competencies for the position, so give the job description a close read and think about experiences you have that demonstrate your abilities in desired areas.
- When answering prompts during your behavioral interview, use the S.T.A.R. method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to effectively demonstrate your experience and impact:
- Situation: “Describe and provide relevant details of your example, explain the context of the situation and why it connects to the question.”
- Task: “Describe your role in the situation. This can help establish the level of responsibility you had in the previous role.”
- Action: “Explain how you addressed the situation and what steps you took to overcome the challenge. A good answer shows how you added value to the situation and made logical decisions.”
- Result: “At the end of your answer, explain the outcome of the situation. A quality answer includes concrete examples and quantifiable achievements, including the direct effects of your efforts in your response.”
- Follow the "3 C's". No matter what type of interview you're in, remember to follow the "3 C's", which are to speak Clearly, Confidently, and Concisely.
Behavioral Interviews
Behavioral interviews involve questions that are focused on your past experiences and what you did in a specific situation. Instead of an interviewer asking the question "How would you manage multiple overlapping projects?", they'll say "Tell me about a time when" or "Share an example of a time you managed multiple overlapping projects and how you prioritized them."
How to Prepare for Behavioral Interviews and Tips for Success
How to Prepare for Behavioral Interviews and Tips for Success
- Come prepared with examples of your past experiences. Questions asked in behavioral interviews should be based on the core competencies for the position, so give the job description a close read and think about experiences you have that demonstrate your abilities in desired areas.
- When answering prompts during your behavioral interview, use the S.T.A.R. method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to effectively demonstrate your experience and impact:
- Situation: “Describe and provide relevant details of your example, explain the context of the situation and why it connects to the question.”
- Task: “Describe your role in the situation. This can help establish the level of responsibility you had in the previous role.”
- Action: “Explain how you addressed the situation and what steps you took to overcome the challenge. A good answer shows how you added value to the situation and made logical decisions.”
- Result: “At the end of your answer, explain the outcome of the situation. A quality answer includes concrete examples and quantifiable achievements, including the direct effects of your efforts in your response.”
- Follow the "3 C's". No matter what type of interview you're in, remember to follow the "3 C's", which are to speak Clearly, Confidently, and Concisely.