1. The Telephone Screening

This is the first hurdle in the hiring process. A recruiter or HR professional will call to determine if you meet basic qualifications and if your experience aligns with the job. Expect questions about your resume, motivations, and understanding of the role.

Phone Screening Tip: Keep your resume in front of you and be ready to articulate your key experiences and skills. Treat this as an open-book test and be concise.

2. The Live Screening

Similar to a phone screen, but conducted in person or via video. The main goal is to assess your professional style and the accuracy of your resume. However, be prepared—sometimes these screenings unexpectedly turn into full interviews.

Live Screening Tip: Prepare as if this is a final interview. You may end up speaking with decision-makers, and being caught off guard can cost you the opportunity.

3. The Selection Interview

This is the real deal. You’ll meet with the hiring manager, team members, and possibly HR or management representatives. It’s a deep dive into your qualifications and can last several hours.

Selection Tip: Your answers matter, but so does your ability to collaborate. Show that you can work well with the team by asking thoughtful questions, engaging with enthusiasm, and sharing relevant experiences.

4. The Work Sample Interview

Here, you’ll showcase your skills. For creative fields, this means presenting a portfolio. For business roles, you might analyze a case study or complete a task on the spot.

Work Sample Tip: Ensure your portfolio or work samples are updated and well-organized. Practice presenting your work to others for feedback.

5. The Peer Group Interview

Your potential coworkers want to assess how well you’d fit in. This can take place in a casual setting, such as a lunch or networking event.

Peer Group Tip: Be personable and authentic. Engage in conversations, show enthusiasm, and build connections by finding common interests.

6. The Panel (or Group) Interview

Here, multiple interviewers—often three or more—ask questions to evaluate your qualifications and cultural fit. In some cases, you may be interviewed alongside other candidates.

Panel Tip: Direct answers to the person who asked the question while maintaining eye contact with everyone. Collect business cards and send personalized thank-you notes.

7. The Stress Interview

This format is designed to test how you handle pressure. Interviewers may ask difficult or confrontational questions to gauge your reaction.

Stress Interview Tip: Don’t take it personally. Stay calm, composed, and take your time responding. Recognize that this is simply a test of your ability to handle high-pressure situations.

8. The Video Interview

With remote work on the rise, video interviews are more common. These may be pre-recorded (where you answer questions on your own time) or live with an interviewer.

Video Tip: Do practice runs to get comfortable on camera. Look at the camera (not the screen) to maintain eye contact, and minimize hand gestures, which can be distracting on video.

Know Before You Go

Uncertainty about the interview format can leave you unprepared. When scheduling, ask the recruiter what type of interview to expect. This allows you to tailor your preparation and walk in with confidence.

Which type of interview have you faced recently? Share your experience in the comments!