Types of Interviews

A Google Doc of this Types of Interviews Guide webpage is available for printing or preferred study method.

You will likely encounter different types of interviews throughout your time at Amherst and beyond as you apply for internships and jobs. The form of an interview depends on several factors, such as the role’s responsibilities and hierarchy within a company, and the norms within an industry. Understanding each of these types of interviews, their structure, and their goals will help you to prepare.

Screening Interview

A screening interview is often conducted at the beginning of a series of interviews. Oftentimes, these are conducted via phone, but could also be done through video. The purpose of these interviews is to get a sense of your background, along with your interest in the position and availability/start date. If you succeed in this interview, you will be invited to participate in a second, more in-depth interview.

*Tips:

Because these interviews can happen over the phone, make sure to find a quiet place where you have strong reception and can concentrate on the call.
Try not to conduct these interviews while in transit.
Make sure to convey your enthusiasm, competence, and interest through your voice and to enunciate clearly.

One-on-One Interview

You meet with one or two interviewers, either in-person or virtually, and are asked a series of questions to get a better understanding of who you are, your qualifications for the position, and your skills and experience.

Group Interview

Multiple candidates are interviewed by an individual or individuals at the same time. One question is asked at a time, and each candidate is expected to give their response. While your goal is to demonstrate initiative and what makes you unique, employers who use this interviewing format are also assessing your collaborative, communication, and problem-solving skills. The interviewer will be paying attention to how you interact with the other candidates in the interview.

*Tips:

Engage in active listening while others are speaking, nodding your head and smiling when appropriate and build off or refer to ideas presented in other responses.
Be polite and respectful, making sure not to dominate the conversation or cut off others.

Panel Interview

One candidate is interviewed by multiple interviewers at the same time. This type of interview is used when the employer is attempting to try to get multiple perspectives on a candidate’s qualification for a role, as well as their fit for a team or company. Because of that, a panel interview could include your potential supervisor along with colleagues and other individuals you may work closely with if you are hired for the position.

*Tips:

Direct your response to the person who asked you the question, but briefly glance at the other interviewers to acknowledge them in order to establish and maintain rapport.

Video Interview

There are two types of video interviews: two-way and one-way. Two-way interviews, often done through Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, and other video conferencing platforms, can take the form of any of the previously mentioned formats. One-way interviews require candidates to record themselves answering pre-determined questions independently and submit them back to a company by a given deadline. Employers often use this type of interview to screen candidates before inviting them for additional interviews. Common platforms used include Sparkhire, HireVue, and Modern Hire.

*Tips:

Test your technology ahead of time, including checking that you have a strong and reliable internet access.
Position yourself so that your background has minimal visual distractions, including clutter, and so that you have a light source in front of you to ensure your face is clearly visible.
The camera you use should be eye-level and positioned so that you are in the center of the screen with your head and shoulders visible.
Dress in a complete, head-to-toe professional outfit.
Have your resume, cover letter, and other application materials printed off to refer to, and feel free to take notes during the interview.
Keep your phone on hand in case you need to use it to contact your interviewers, but keep the phone on silent.

Case Interview

Case interviews, common in consulting, involve asking candidates to solve a real-world problem or scenario in real-time in the presence of an interviewer. The case might be presented verbally or in print, and you may be asked to work on a solution individually or in a group with other candidates. The goal of the interview is to demonstrate your problem-solving and analytical skills and your understanding of what should be a priority in a business sense.

*Tips:

Don’t feel that you need to dive in to offer your solution immediately. Repeat the question, ask clarifying questions, and take time to organize your thoughts first.
Walk the interviewer through your process for solving the problem so that they can understand your logic.

Technical Interview

Technical interviews assess your technical skills and knowledge of core concepts and tools, and are commonly used in the tech industry. The exact questions and structure of this type of interview depend on the role you are applying to. For example, you could be instructed to write code in real-time, or you could be asked to solve a technical problem individually or with a group before then presenting your solution. Technical interviews can also include you being asked to answer behavioral interview questions that seek to gain insight into your tech knowledge, but also other professional skills relevant to a position, such as collaboration and communication skills.

*Tips:

Make sure that you understand and are fully up-to-date on the basic tech concepts and technologies associated with the position or company you are interviewing with.
Build and compile a comprehensive portfolio of projects. Be prepared to talk about your past projects and their impact, if applicable.
Practice coding interviews on your own through sites like LeetCode, HackerRank, and NeetCode.
Don’t forget to prepare for behavioral interview questions. Review this how-to guide for tips on how to answer these types of questions.