1. Types of Interviews
This activity aims to review interviews and their different formats.
Note to Instructors: If you are planning to conduct mock interviews with students, ideally, they will know before beginning Activity 4 of this lesson. You may be working with students 1:1 or in a group. Depending on the group size, who is conducting the mock interview, and time available, you will want to consider if each student will have a 1:1 or group mock interview. Keep students informed so they can come prepared (attire, hygiene, etc.). For students who need support or practice with social skills or personal skills, there are resources in Lesson 4: Essential Skills for Independent Living. If holding this activity in a school, you can have a teacher, school administrator, professor, or other school personnel act as the interviewer. If holding this activity in the community, like a library, you can invite a coworker or supervisor from your agency or ask the library administrator to act as the interviewer. You may also find local job fair opportunities where students should be prepared for potential on-site interviews. Be sure to take notes and provide summaries and/or observations as it is needed for service reporting.
Discuss
An interview is a meeting where someone asks you questions to learn more about you. It usually happens when you’re trying to get a job, join a program, or apply for a position. The person asking questions wants to know who you are, what skills or experience you have, why you’re interested in the opportunity, and if you would be a good fit. You can also ask questions to learn more about the job, program, or position too. There are several different types of interviews and knowing the type of interview will help you know how to prepare.
Resource
Types of Interviews (PowerPoint). Feel free to modify the vocabulary list to meet the student’s needs.
Mock Interview: A practice interview where it feels like a real job interview but just for practice. Someone asks you questions like they would in a real interview and you practice how to answer.
Traditional Interview: A one-on-one meeting where a person interviews you by asking questions to better know your skills, experience and if you would be a good fit for a job or program. This is a common type of interview.
Telephone Interview: An interview that is planned as a phone call and the interviewer calls to ask the questions. This is sometimes used to narrow down a list of people who have applied. It’s important to plan ahead and have a reliable phone, phone connection, and quiet space ready.
Video Interview: An interview that happens on a computer, phone, or tablet using a video call. You and the interviewer can see each other but are in different places. You might use apps like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. It’s important to plan ahead and have the technology, app, and quiet space ready.
Group Interview: An interviewer or company decides to interview several applicants at the same time. You are with other applicants when answering and asking questions. Interviewers want to see how you work with others, share ideas, and communicate in a group.
Working Interview: When you are asked to do a real task for a short time to show your skills. There may be some questions you answer then are given a task. This helps interviewers see how you work and if you are a good fit. This is a type of interview used when there is a specific skill needed like maintenance, writing, or coding.
Problem-Solving Interview: Interviewer gives you a question or situation and asks how you would handle it. This helps interviewers see how you think, make decisions, and come up with solutions. You may be asked to give your response verbally or in writing. It’s not about having a “right” answer but showing how you think things through.
Panel Interview: Involves a meeting with 3 to 6 interviewers at one time. They may be managers, team members, or people from other departments. You will see this in competitive jobs to help reduce the number of interviews someone will need to be a part of. This will feel more formal and practicing will help.
Reflect
Think about the different interview types and reflect on these questions:
- Which types seem the most familiar? Which ones seem the most challenging?
- Have you ever participated in any of these interview formats? If so, what was your experience?
- What would make you nervous for an interview?
- How would you prepare differently for a traditional interview vs a group interview? How about a phone interview vs a virtual interview?