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Directive or Patterned Interview
The patterned interview consists of standard questions that are asked of all applicants for a specific group of jobs. This standardization permits the candidates to be easily compared and greatly facilitates the validation process. However, this approach can easily result in an overly formal environment and severely impair the candidate's ability or desire to respond. A properly designed patterned interview will contain only questions that are job-related.
Non-Directive Interview
Probing, open-ended questions are asked in the non-directive interview. It's comprehensive and the interviewee is encouraged to do much of the talking. Usually, only highly trained interviewers use the non-directive interview because it consists of subjective appraisal of the job candidate. The non-directive interview is often more time consuming than one with more structure, yet some interviewers believe that it's more effective in obtaining significant information.
Questions may include:
- What do you believe are your primary strengths? What are your weaknesses?
- How will our company benefit by having you as an employee?
- Where do you want to be in this firm five years from now?
- What was your most significant contribution with your last employer?
Stress Interview
Most interview sessions are designed to minimize stress on the part of the candidate, but the stress interview intentionally creates it. Although not commonly used today, stress may be introduced to see how you handle yourself. This type of interview is typically used for jobs in which a great deal of anxiety is a part of the environment.
Interviewers for some types of sales jobs subject applicants to stress situations in order to determine how they will react under pressure. For instance, on the first interview, everything might progress smoothly.You are led to believe that all that remains is to return for the second interview and the job offer will be made. However, during the second interview events progress a bit differently. You might have to wait in the outer office for a considerable period of time before the interview begins. This tactic allows the interviewee's anxiety level to buildup. Once with the interviewer, a statement might be made, "Mr. Jones, I appreciate your time but we just don't believe there is any need to continue this interview. Your qualifications just don't appear to match our needs." The purpose of this approach is to see how the applicant will react when confronted with an unexpected, stressful situation.
Another stressful interview may be one conducted as a board or committee review. Although the interviewee may deal with several individuals at once, the procedures will remain basically the same.
Mock Interviews
A mock interview is a great way to practice for a professional interview. It will help highlight your strengths and increase your interviewing confidence level.
You may want to have your mock interview videotaped to assist you in evaluating your interview skills. Seeing how you actually look and come across during an interview can be important in improving your interviewing skills.
The Career Development Center is available to conduct mock interviews. To schedule one, stop by the office on the first floor of Franciscan Hall or call 649-7900, ext. 236, or e-mail us.
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