Job Interview Tips Begin With Knowing The Interview Process 

Over the years, the job interview has evolved from a simple discussion between the owner and a potential employee into a bureaucratic maze of HR personnel and inefficiency.   Nevertheless, the interview process has settled into a basic structure.   Knowing this basic structure can help you showcase your abilities and qualifications to the fullest.  The basic interview process tends to have the following structure:

1.       Interview Request

a.       This can take the form of an email or phone call sent by the company to you to essentially schedule a time to conduct the Initial Screen Interview.

b.       Caveat: Sometimes this request can become the initial screen interview depending on the structure of the company.  For this reason, it is a good idea to screen calls prior to answer them.  This will allow you some time to prepare for what could be the initial screen interview.

2.       An Initial Screen Interview

a.       This is almost always a phone interview in which an administrative assistant or person from HR contacts you.

b.      The main goal of the interview is to ask you questions about your resume to determine if you have the basic qualifications for the position.

c.       The questions tend to be broad in scope it is reasonable to expect you will get very few follow-up questions.

d.       It is unlikely you would receive any behavioral interview questions or case interview questions at this stage.  Therefore, you can plan to prepare for those types of questions at a later point.

3.       Formal Interview (anywhere from 2 to 4 interviews)

a.        The first of the formal interviews tends to be a phone interview in which you are usually meeting with a manager or supervisor in the division of the prospective job.

                                                               i.      The format of this interview will include a specific discussion of your resume and will likely include a number of behavioral questions.   To get an idea of the differences in the types of interview questions, take a look at the Sample Interview Questions section.

                                                                ii.      The questions here will be more specific than the initial phone interview.  This is partly because you now have a manager asking questions who is far more likely to have a better grasp of what job skills are really needed for the position than someone helping out from HR.  For this reason, serious preparation for interview questions should begin at this stage.   

b.      The second formal interview and any other later interviews will tend to all be on-site interviews.   The only exception would be if you are interviewing for a position in another state.   In this case, you are unlikely to have an on-site interview until your final interview. 

                                                               i.     These interviews will be similar to the first formal interview although you are likely to be interviewing with other members of the group and taking technical efficiency tests.

                                                             ii.     You can expect to get all types of interview questions including resume-focused, behavior, and case interview questions.

                                                            iii.    These interviews are really designed to determine if you do, in fact, have the right experience and whether you are a good personality fit for the team’s culture. 

4.       Technical Efficiency Tests

a.       The type and use of these tests depends on the job position.   The tests are designed to objectively measure skills needed in the position.   For example, a business analyst could expect to see an excel assessment test to determine if he/she has the appropriate level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

b.      Technical Efficiency Tests can actually occur at any stage and some companies will even have you take a personality test very early in the process.    This type of test tries to determine if you have the appropriate personality and interests they feel are an ideal match for the position.

5.       Final Interview

a.       This final interview is an on-site interview in which you are meeting with the hiring manager.   During this interview, you will get to meet all the members of the team and possibly have lunch with the team. 

b.      This interview can be one final grilling interview or it can be a transition meeting into your "new" position depending on the format of the company and the overall competition for your position.

c.       At this final interview, all the questions will focus on determining whether you would be a good fit with the team and to resolve any final concerns they may have regarding your qualifications for the position.

6.       Acceptance or Rejection:

a.        Generally, if you get accepted you will find out at the final interview.   However, sometimes you may receive a phone call a few days later from HR stating you have been accepted for the position.   This delay can sometimes occur because of the company’s format of using HR throughout the process or it could be because another candidate turned down the position and you were the second option.

b.       Rejection letters can be sent at any point in the process.   However, some companies will fail to send out a rejection letter due to oversight or lack of resources.  

c.        It is a good idea to ask the hiring manager in the final interview when you can expect to her from them regarding his/her decision.   If two weeks go by and you still have not received a response, you can see if you are still being considered by sending them an email asking them if there is anything else they need from you.   This email will usually get you a response through either a phone call or email.

This outline is designed to provide you with a good working knowledge of the current interview process.   We will use this as a reference point to base all later discussions.   Learn this process intimately as it will help put other later articles into proper perspective.

*To get more tips on how to handle the first initial phone interview, check out phone interview tips.