Interviews are essential in most hiring processes.
Employers conduct interviews using a variety of mediums including phone, video, one-way virtual interview/screening, in-person, panel, and group. When you are offered an interview, it is appropriate to ask what kind of interview you should anticipate.
At the conclusion of most interviews, you will be allotted time to ask questions of the interviewer(s). Your questions should not focus on information that can easily be found on a company’s website; rather, your questions should reflect your thoughtful research of the organization. It is important to prepare these questions prior to your interview and be aware that some questions may be answered in the interview itself. An interview is also a time for you to determine if the position and employer are right for you.
There are 2 types of interviews.
Standard interviews include a mixture of behavioral and culture-fit questions to understand if you’ll be a good fit for the job. You’ll be asked to describe your previous work and school experiences in order to determine if you’re suited for the open position based on identified competencies. You can also get some technical questions to confirm your skills.
Case interviews require you to address a business problem that may or may not have supporting context. Employers using this type of interview are more interested in your thought process, methodology, and presentation as opposed to the result. Depending on the role, employers relying on this interview format may also assess your ability to analyze large datasets. This style of interview is common in analytics, finance, sustainability, and consulting.
Behavioral Interview Questions are used by employers to evaluate a candidate’s experiences and behaviors in order to determine their potential for success. An applicant is asked to describe past behavior in order to determine whether he/she is suited for the position based on identified competencies. As a candidate, you should be prepared to answer the questions using the S.T.A.R. (Situation/Task/Action/Result) format.
Culture Fit Interview Questions are used by an interviewer to better understand your values, beliefs, and behavior fit to the company’s specific company culture. These questions may target your educational and work background, rationale for interest in the position, and career aspirations.
Technical Soft-Case Interview Questions are when interviewers present the candidate with a puzzle attempting to understand their industry knowledge and how they work through data. Much like a case interview, these questions evaluate a candidate’s reasoning and problem-solving skills and expect that decision-making is based on relevant context and conditions.
