Sometimes interviews are quite unstructured and you go with the flow. Other times, they're semi-structured interviews, and the hiring manager has a schedule or list of questions to follow. You could even have a screening interview, where you'll be asked a few basic questions before the first official interview. 

It's understandable to be intimidated by job interviews. But putting in the effort to learn more about the hiring process and what may be expected of you will help you feel more comfortable. You'll know what to expect and how to succeed in each type of interview.

Here are nine different types of interviews for you to review:

1. Traditional interview
This type of interview is the most straightforward and common you'll encounter. It's where you'll meet with one recruiter and they'll ask you a series of questions about yourself. They'll determine your competency, skills, and experience to see if you should move on to the next round.

Remember to have open and attentive body language, and make eye contact with the recruiter.

2. Lunch interview
Make sure you have an appetite for your lunch interview. These interviews happen at a cafe, sit-down restaurant, or take-out. They aren’t very formal but still tell a recruiter a lot about you. These are more unstructured interviews and conversations tend to flow easier.

They want to see how you act outside the office and how you can communicate your skills in a casual setting.

3. Working interview
A working interview doesn't apply to all industries, but it's pretty common for industries like sales, journalism, or healthcare. It's where you'll perform a task that's part of the job. Think of it as a test run for the role. Don't expect too many questions since you'll be doing more with your hands. 

4. Case interview
Case interviews involve puzzles and problem-solving. They ask you to solve a problem that might come up in the job. These interviews are done either in-person, online, or as a take-home assignment. They could depict stressful situations or downright disasters, so be prepared to think critically and problem-solve.

5. Panel interview
How do you feel about speaking in front of a group of people? Panel interviews are several-person interviews, where several members of the panel ask questions. These interviews make it tricky to build a connection with each team member, so be mindful of making eye contact with each person. Listen thoughtfully to the questions and stay confident.

6. Group interview
Similar to a panel interview, a group interview is where multiple people come together. But this time, there are more job seekers than hiring managers. These types of interviews usually happen when the company is hiring more than one person for that position, so they try to save time by meeting multiple people at once.

You're still asked a variety of questions, and you have the opportunity to listen to other job candidates’ answers.

7. Phone interview
A phone interview is also used as a screening interview. But other times, you'll have a full-length conversation about yourself and the role with the recruiter. For people with anxiety, these interviews can be stressful.

Studies have found that people have phone anxiety because of the immediate reaction they receive from people, and they worry more about rejection or disapproval than face-to-face communication.

8. Video interview
Video interviews became one of the most common types of interviews during the pandemic, and of course, for remote work. You'll have your interview over platforms like Skype, Zoom, or Google Meets.

The recruiter will still ask you similar questions and remember to have video call etiquette, like making eye contact over the screen and limiting distractions around you. Just make sure you have reliable internet and all the necessary equipment to avoid technical hiccups.

9. Behavioral interview
A behavioral interview lets you talk about your past experiences and how they'd help you in this role. Expect some "Tell me about a time when…" questions, too. These types of questions ask you to reflect on both positive and negative experiences and what you learned from them.

They help you demonstrate accountability and adaptability, or how you'd act in stressful situations, like when you're behind on your work or in conflict with other coworkers. 

Find someone to support you as you prepare for all types of interviews. At BetterUp, our coaches will provide the guidance you need to become comfortable with any type of interview and be confident navigating the hiring process.
Collected from Betterup