Interviews

This probably seems like the least stressful format.

Advantages

• You only have to deal with one person - not a panel of interviewers
• You can build up a strong rapport over the interview

Disadvantages

• If you make a less than convincing start, it can be difficult to recover
• Your success depends on only one person’s opinion of you

Tips

• The interviewer will be under pressure to make a record of the interview – don’t be surprised or put off if they break eye contact with you and write notes
• It’s best to assume that their notes about you are positive and act as a way for them to remember what you said

A panel consists of two or more interviewers; usually 3 or 4 - the most we’ve heard of is 13! One of them might chair the panel and explain the format to you. They might introduce the other panel members and give you an idea of their jobs, and the questions they’re going to ask you.

Advantages

• Your success doesn't depend on one interviewer alone
• You can get an insight into the working culture of the organisation

Disadvantages

• It can be intimidating
• It can be hard to engage with more than one person at a time

Tips

• The interviewers will be under pressure to make a record of the interview – don’t be surprised or put off if they break eye contact with you and write notes, particularly those who are not questioning you
• Maintain eye contact with the person speaking to you, but try to glance at the others to engage with them too

We’re not talking about an assessment centre exercise here. An employer might use this format to give information about the organisation and allow you to ask questions.

You’ll be with other candidates, so it’s important that you’re friendly and approachable. Despite the informality, you need to prepare just as well as for any interview.

Advantages

• Can be a relaxed atmosphere
• You can get an insight into the working culture of the organisation

Disadvantages

• You can be lulled into a false sense of security – you still have to speak

Tips

• Be approachable and friendly but make sure you contribute to the discussion and ask relevant questions
• Maintain eye contact with the person speaking to you, but try to glance at others to engage with them too

Many recruiters use these as initial screening interviews because they’re cheap and quick.

Advantages

• You don’t have to travel anywhere
• You don’t have to physically meet anyone new
• You don’t need to worry about your clothes or appearance
• You can be in comfortable familiar surroundings
• You can make quick notes to yourself during the interview - maybe questions you’d like to ask at the end
• You can have your CV or application with you and notes to jog your memory. You can have a note of questions you’d like to ask too

Disadvantages

• Your interviewer can’t see your facial expressions or posture
• You can’t see theirs either – so it’s not so easy to pick up clues as to how you’re doing
• It’s easy to worry about pauses in the conversation, for example, when you can’t see that your interviewer is simply making notes

Tips

• The big difference is that your interviewer can’t see you – so you need to convey your enthusiasm through the tone of your voice. You need to speak clearly and sound motivated and interested in the job and the organisation. Don’t be monotone! Smile!
• Make sure you’re not going to be disturbed or interrupted
• Don’t slouch in a comfy chair – it’s best to sit at a table or desk
• Have a few bits of paper around if you want, but not too many – you don’t want to struggle to find anything

You could practice answering typical questions over the phone with a friend, or record your answers and let someone else listen to them – this can be really useful if the interview isn’t in your first language.

Like telephone interviews, these are a relatively inexpensive way for recruiters to initially screen applicants. Do well, and you will probably be invited to a second, in person, interview.

There are two main types of video interview: synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous interviews are carried out with an interviewer in “real time”, through Zoom or similar. Asynchronous interviews are automated, and your answers are recorded via webcam.

Advantages

• You don’t have to travel anywhere
• You don’t have to physically meet anyone new
• You can be in comfortable familiar surroundings

Disadvantages

• Sometimes the video of your interviewer can be slightly “out of sync” with their speech, which can be off-putting
• It can be disconcerting to speak only to your videocam
• You have no interaction or feedback from a human being

General video interview tips

• Remember that all the other advice in this section applies!
• Our top tip is practice, practice, practice – record, record, record! If possible ask someone to ask you typical questions and video yourself answering them. If you discover any obvious repeated movements, facial expressions, or verbal ticks like “em” or “um”, then practice to minimise these
• Remember that, especially in an asynchronous interview, employers will not expect you to give a perfect interview and/or recording. They’ll expect you to be nervous, and have some fidgeting, verbal stumbles and pauses
• Make eye contact by looking directly at the camera rather than the interviewer’s image on your screen, or your own image – again, practice!