Interview Skills
9 Overview
An interview is a conversation between 2 or more people to collect and assess information. The purpose of a job interview also includes deciding which applicant is the best fit for the job, organization, and team based on your response to their questions.
Interviews can be structured or unstructured, informal or formal, and held in person, by phone, or virtually.
While sometimes one round of interviews can suffice, many employers engage in multiple rounds of interviews before deciding whether to extend a job offer to a candidate. For example, candidates may be asked to take part in a telephone interview with Human Resources and/or Direct Manager, and they may be invited to a technical interview.
Pre-Recorded Interview Workshop
Below is a pre-record presentation to help you get ready for the interview process with Jenny Peach, Professional Skills Coach, Digital Technologies.
Employers ask interview questions to confirm 3 things:
- If you have the abilities and skills to do the job,
- If you will fit well with the team and the organization, and
- If you have enthusiasm and a good work ethic.
Structure and Format
Interviews can vary in their delivery format, structure, and the types of questions asked. Knowing what type of interview to expect will help you determine how to best prepare. Let’s look at the various types of job interviews. No matter which format is used, treat each interview like you would a formal, face-to-face business meeting: be well-prepared, dress appropriately, and conduct yourself with professionalism.
Types of Questions
The questions asked by the employer during an interview can be of different types. Your interview may be composed of one type of interview question but, more often, interviewers will use a variety of question types in order to gather the information they need from candidates. Let’s look at some of the more common types of interview questions you’re likely to deal with.
The following 9-minute video from Indeed will help you understand what to expect from an interview, along with some top tips for interviewing.
Clarification: Within the Digital Technologies program, employers will disclose the rate of pay on the posting, and therefore they won’t ask about your salary expectations.
At the end of the video, you are invited to like and subscribe; this is not necessary.
