\ Over the years, the job interview has developed from a basic chat between the owner and a potential employee into a bureaucratic maze of HR personnel and inefficiencies. Nevertheless, the interview process has stabilized into a fundamental form. This fundamental structure tends to have the following steps:
1. Interview Request
a. This can take the shape of an email or phone call delivered by the firm to you to effectively set a time to complete the Initial Screen Interview.
b. Sometimes this request can become the initial screen interview based on the structure of the firm.
2. An Initial screen interview
a. This is typically always a phone interview in which an administrative assistant or person from HR contacts you.
b. The main purpose of the interview is to ask you questions regarding your resume to evaluate if you have the fundamental credentials for the employment.
c. The questions tend to be general in nature and you should expect to get very few follow-up questions.
d. It is unlikely you would receive any behavioral interview questions or case interview questions at this level.
3. Formal Interview (anywhere from 2 to 4 interviews) (anywhere from 2 to 4 interviews)
a. The first of the official interviews tends to be a phone interview in which you are normally meeting with a manager or supervisor in the division of the desired employment.
i. The format of this interview will contain a detailed review of your resume and will likely include a number of behavioral questions.
a. The second formal interview and any subsequent following interviews will tend to all be on-site interviews. The only exception would be if you are interviewing for a position in another state. In this instance, you are unlikely to get an on-site interview until your final interview.
i. These interviews will be comparable to the first formal interview except you will be interviewing with other members of the group and doing technical efficiency tests.
ii. You should expect to get all types of interview questions at this level, including resume-focused, job description, behavioral, and case interview questions.
iii. These interviews are really aimed to discover if you have the right experience and whether you are a suitable personality fit for the team's culture.
4. Technical Efficiency Tests
a. The nature and use of these examinations varies on the employment position. The examinations are meant to objectively measure competencies needed in the role. For example, a business analyst could fairly expect to see an Excel assessment test to evaluate if he/she has the acceptable skill level in Microsoft Excel.
b. Technical Efficiency Tests can actually occur at any time and some firms will even have you take a personality test very early in the process. This type of test seeks to assess if you have the suitable personality and hobbies they feel are the ideal match for the role.
5. Final Interview
a. This last interview is an on-site interview in which you are meeting with the hiring manager. During this interview, you will get to meet all the members of the team and potentially have lunch with them.
b. This interview might be one final grilling interview or it can be a transition meeting into your position depending on the format of the firm and the general competition for your position.
c. At this final interview, the questions have all moved to assess whether you would be a good match with the team and to settle any final reservations they may have regarding your qualifications for the role.
6. Acceptance or Rejection:
a. Generally, if you get accepted you will find out at the final interview. However, sometimes you may receive a phone call a few days later from HR confirming you have been accepted for the position. This delay can occasionally occur due of the company's pattern of using HR throughout the process or it could be because another candidate turned down the position and you were the second pick.
b. Rejection letters can be sent at any point in the process. However, some organizations will fail to send out a rejection letter owing to oversight or lack of resources.
b. It is a good idea to ask the hiring manager in the final interview when you can expect to hear from them regarding your decision. Whether two weeks go by and you still have not received a response, you can see if you are still being considered by sending them a "if there is anything else you require" email. This email will usually get you a response by either a phone call or email.
This overview is aimed to equip you with a good working grasp of the current interview process. By studying this process deeply, you will be better prepared to prepare for each phase of it. Now, go ahead and take some time to evaluate each element of this process. We think you will discover, in doing so, a variety of methods you may boost your interview preparation right now.
