This article is Part 2 of our Ace that Interview Series. If you’ve missed Part 1: Making a Good First Impression, find it here.
It is common to encounter these interview formats:
Candidates may be inclined to regard the phone interview as less important than a face-to-face interview. This is a huge mistake! Phone interviews are usually performed as the initial screening process. It usually lasts around 30 mins and is the first hurdle that you’ll have to pass to make it to the other rounds.
Research studies show that 80% of communication happens non-verbally. In a phone interview, you will not be able to use your expressions and movements to help you reinforce your thoughts, ideas, emotions and feelings. Your choice of words and the way you say them becomes the few factors that will determine if you make it through this round.
Increasingly, video calls are becoming more prevalent. In addition to the tips mentioned above, you may also consider the following.
This is one of the most common types of interview. Increasingly, it is common to have a series of 1-to-1 interviews which could happen on the same day or spread across a few weeks or months.
This format gathers the interviewers in one session. While you may feel vulnerable to be in such an interview format, this interview format tends to be fairer and more equitable. Furthermore, it can save both the interviewers’ and your time.
It is common for the interviewer to invite you to ask questions. When this happens, never say that you do not have any questions to ask!
Ask sensible and intelligent questions. Just asking questions on working hours and the company benefits can have a negative impact so questions need to be in the right area. Take the chance to clarify important details that your personal research couldn’t uncover. It will help you make an informed decision on whether to continue further rounds of interview, or accept an offer.
Conduct research on the company and formulate your questions before the interview. Ways you can do research include:
– Company’s website – “About” section, press releases to get news on the company
– Google “articles on XXX company”
– On LinkedIn, search for employees at the XXX company. See what they are saying about the company and what they are sharing.
Examples of questions you can ask:
You may also want to use this as a chance to demonstrate your knowledge of the company and use it to gain additional knowledge and stand out against your competitors.
Examples of such question:
For a telephone interview, the questions can be written down ahead of the interview and laid out in front of you during the interview. You can also bring written questions into a face-to-face meeting, either on paper or on their phone. With the latter, it is best to ask for permission to take it out before doing so.