What is an Interview? Definition, Types and Objectives

An interview is a series of questions to understand the professional and educational background of the candidate. It gives an idea about your personality, skills, and technical qualifications to the employer. As a result of the interview, the recruiter decides on the different qualification parameters which is subjective to the job position.

Table of Contents

• Definition of Interview
• Objectives of Interview
• Types of Interview
• Why are Interviews Important?
• Tips for Interview as a Fresher

Definition of Interview

An interview is a formal conversation between an interviewer and interviewee where the former seeks answers from the latter, which checks their capability in joining the desired post. When broken down into two separate terms, interviews are 'inter' and 'view,' meaning seeing each other.

An interview plays an important role in the entire selection procedure of a candidate. Further, it serves as the basis for analyzing the interviewee's job-related proficiency, abilities, and technicalities. An interview is a structured conversation where recruiters ask questions, and the interviewee delivers answers.

Interviews can also be unstructured, open-ended, and free-flowing conversations without predetermined questions. Interviews usually have a limited duration for the process. The traditional or professional face to face interview, commonly known as a one-on-one interview, permits direct questions and follow-ups.

Objectives of Interview

So what is the purpose of an interview? How does it help an interviewer to assess the knowledge and skills of the interviewee?

Let's look at some objectives of the interview.

• It helps to verify the precision of the provided facts and data by the candidate.
• The interview helps to obtain additional information about the skills and knowledge of the interviewee.
• The interview not only assesses a candidate's skills but also checks their suitability for the job.
• The interview provides the candidate with general facts and necessary descriptions about the job and the company.
• An interview gives an intuition into the candidate's rational knowledge and creativity they possess.
• Job descriptions are given at the time of the interview. The interviewer informs the company's expectations from them.
• Through the interview process, the recruiter gets to know about the candidate's skills and lacks the potential abilities to be trained according to their job role.
• Information flows from both directions, and the interviewee gets to know about the company and the employer.

Types of Interview

There are different types of interviews according to different scenarios or situations. Here it is categorized into nine major types.

1. Structured Interview
2. Unstructured Interview
3. Stress Interview
4. One to One Interview
5. Panel Interview
6. Telephonic Interview
7. Video Interview
8. Depth Interview
9. Open Call Interview
10. Exit Interview

1. Structured Interview

It is the traditional form of an interview. Preset standardized questions are asked from the interviewee and are the same for all the candidates.

• It is the kind of interview that gives the chance to examine all the candidates' skills and abilities impartially.
• The questions also help the interviewer to compare the responses and to choose the best.

2. Unstructured Interview

It is just the opposite of structured interviews. It is a free-flowing conversation. This type of interview is also known as Informal interview. 

• The interviewer already has a definite idea in mind about the questions to be asked.
• Generally, questions are made and asked during the interview.
• The questions can change according to the responses the candidate gives.
• An unstructured interview does not follow any formal rules and procedures.

3. Stress Interview

These kinds of interviews are very rare. In this, the interviewer puts the interviewee under a stressful situation to test their presence of mind.

• Stress interview also tests how interviewee manage the crisis at a given time.
• The interviewer tends to make the interviewee nervous by asking tons of questions at the same time.
• It is done to see whether the candidate can cope up with a crisis and not panic.

4. One to One Interview

It is a general interview. There are just two persons, i.e., the interviewer and the interviewee, and a formal discussion takes place face to face about the candidate's skills and abilities.

The interviewer asks general and technical questions to check the suitability.

5. Panel Interview

A panel interview is known as a board interview; the interview takes place between one candidate and a panel of members of the company, usually more than two.

• Each one gives different scores to the candidates and combines them to see if the candidate is qualified.
• Further, in a panel interview, candidates are often victims of personal biases, and it is not feasible for organizations that take many interviews daily.

6. Telephonic Interview

Telephonic interviews are conducted over the phone and are economical and less time-consuming. Through these interviews, the company can select promising individuals for the job.

• Its main objective is to limit the list of candidates and appoint the best ones.
• These are more accurate than one to one interviews for judging interviewees' intelligence and interpersonal skills.
• The candidates are usually surprised by the unexpected call from the recruiter.
• However, they have a drawback; just as the candidate will be surprised, they likely can be panicked.
• Moreover, answers are to be given in a restricted time.

7. Video Interview

One of the newest forms of interviews is conducted through various video conferences, online chats, or messaging due to their rapidity and inexpensiveness. It saves time and money.

• The best part of these interviews is that both the interviewer and interviewee need not be in the same place, not even the same continent.
• It is just like a personal interview where the recruiter informs you about the interview a few hours before the scheduled time.
• These interviews are done if the interviewee lives far-off and cannot make it to the interviewer's place for valid reasons.

8. Depth Interview

As the term itself says, it distinguishes the interviewee in-depth. These are detail and discovery-oriented.

• It covers the candidate's life history, academic qualifications, interests, hobbies, and professional work experience.
• The interviewer here is a listener and wants to know in detail about the candidates, allowing more time and a free flow of conversation and making a friendly approach.

9. Open Call Interview

Open call interviews, most commonly known as walk-in interviews, are conducted on the spot, and the questions are not preset. The questions vary according to the response of the candidates. Most of these types of interviews are for seasonal or temporary job roles.

10. Exit Interview

These interviews are conducted with an employee of a company when they are leaving their job. In this interview, the employee is expected to deliver an honest review of his experience in the firm. Its main purpose is to give a good feeling to the person leaving and take suggestions offered by them.

Why are Interviews Important?

Interviews are considered necessary as it is an excellent way to whittle down a large number of applicants and allow the best ones. Here are some points which highlight the importance of interviews.

• Interviews play a crucial role in the selection process of the favorable candidate. They help the interviewer choose who is efficient and who is not.
• Resumes do not present a clear picture or inabilities of a candidate; recruiters get to know the candidate's weaknesses and where they need training through the interview procedure.
• If someone asks in an interview about their weaknesses, it's best to answer them honestly. It also shows the candidate's self-awareness about their good and vulnerable traits.
• Interviews are a necessary strategy to know a candidate's potential.
• Through the interviewing process, the employer and the interviewee get to know each other, and the flow of essential information takes place, and all doubts are freed.
• The employer gets to know about the interviewee's actual communicative skills and checks their general skills of writing and speaking through the quality of their responses.
• Employers also get to know about the individuality and personality of the candidate. Also, analyze their social behaviour and confidence in their body language.

Tips for Interview as a Fresher

If you are a fresher facing an interview for the first time, the first tip is always to be on time. Preferably, be earlier than the assigned time. Punctuality is the most desired trait for a job.

Other interview tips for a fresher are as follows.

• Make sure all the necessary documents are taken.
• Prepare the open-ended interview questions like 'Introduce Yourself,' 'Why do you think this company is the best fit for you,' where the candidate is expected to have researched the company's achievements.
• Establish strong communication skills, which is a vital part of any job role.
• Body language is another most important characteristic by which candidates are judged. Always maintain professional and modest body language. Maintain constant eye contact with the person in front.
• Dress formally. It is always best to wear neutral-coloured dresses such as white, black or grey. These colours are considered modest. According to a survey, orange is considered an unprofessional or too playful colour to wear to an interview.