Interviewing Techniques To Help You Succeed In Interviews

Updated 15 March 2023

The techniques of interviewing that a candidate uses during an interview can greatly influence their chances of getting selected. By using the right techniques, candidates can display their professionalism to the recruiter. Learning about the different techniques can help you prepare for interviews and feel more confident. In this article, we discuss the meaning of interviewing techniques, explore the different techniques used for different types of interviews and also look at some last-minute interview preparation tips.

What Are Interviewing Techniques?

Interviewing techniques are practices that can help you convince hiring managers that you are the best candidate for the job in question. Depending on the stage and type of the interview, different techniques can improve your chances of getting hired. It is important to know the different interview techniques so that you can use them appropriately at each stage. These techniques can show the recruiter that you are genuinely interested in the job, display professionalism and show that you have prepared well for the interview.

Related: How To Crack A Job Interview

Types Of Interview Techniques Based On Interview Type

Depending on the type of interview, the techniques that you can use may vary. Here are the different types of interviews and the different interviewing techniques you can use for each of them:

Traditional in-person interview

In a traditional in-person interview, the interviewer and the job seeker meet face to face. The interviewer studies the interviewee's resume and asks them a series of questions. These interviews may be fairly generic or technical, depending on the role. The following techniques of interviewing can help you make a good impression during a face-to-face interview:

Make sure you dress smartly for the interview and appear professional.
Greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake.
Be mindful of your body language, as it can play an important part in face-to-face meetings.
Maintain eye contact and refrain from making unwanted hand movements like fidgeting or playing with your pen.
Be energetic and proactive during the interview.
Wait for the interviewer to ask you to take a seat.
Extend a polite greeting after the interview ends.

Related: 15 Important Questions To Ask When Interviewing An Intern

Telephonic interview

In this type of interview, the employer conducts the first round of interview over the phone. It acts as a screening round where they may identify if the candidate can meet the company's expectations before proceeding with any further rounds. In this round, the employer may discuss the qualifications of the candidate, their experience and understand their salary expectations. You can follow these techniques for telephonic interviews:

Practice a brief introduction of yourself that highlights your qualifications and experience.
Make sure that you are clear about the salary expectations you have from the company.
Research about the company and create your notes. Keep your notes close by so that you can refer to them easily during the call if needed.
Ensure that you take the call from a quiet place where the reception is good.

Video interview

Video interviews for jobs take place over the Internet with the help of a video conferencing tool. Sometimes this may happen through a pre-recorded video where the interviewee answers a few questions asked as a part of the job application process. But most often, video interviews happen live and are much like in-person interviews. Generally, employers organise video interviews if the interviewee stays in a different location. The following interview techniques can help you ace video interviews:

Dress as professionally and smartly as you would dress for an in-person interview.
Choose a place with a neutral background that has good lighting.
Test your video conferencing software before the call. Conduct an audio and video check before the call begins.
Make sure you take the call from a location with no distractions.
Put your phone on silent so that it does not ring during the interview.

Related: Tips For A Successful Skype Interview

Group interview

In a group interview, the employer interviews multiple candidates applying for the same position together. There may be one interviewer or multiple interviewers evaluating the candidates in a group interview. This type of interview is common when employers may be hiring a group of candidates. Often, group interviews comprise group discussions, role-playing and are highly structured. This type of interview is used to test how a candidate performs in a group setting. Following are some techniques to do well in group interviews:

Introduce yourself to the group with a smile.
If you are in a small group, try to remember the names of your group members and refer to them using their names during group activities.
Listen attentively to others and make notes if necessary.
If you would like to add to what a group member has said, wait for them to finish and politely convey your message.
Try to avoid disagreements with other members. If they do happen, be respectful and address the issue gently.

Panel interview

In a panel interview, several interviewers interview one candidate in the form of a meeting. Instead of having multiple rounds of interviews, this type of interview helps the hiring managers evaluate the candidate from different perspectives at once. While panel interviews mostly happen in person, they may sometimes happen online if there are location constraints. Such interviews can help employers understand how a candidate performs in high-pressure situations. Some techniques that can help you do well in panel interviews are:

Appear energetic and confident. Be mindful of your body language.
Focus your attention on the person talking and answer their questions once they have finished speaking.
Try to memorise the names of the panellists and politely address them by their names when you speak to them.
While addressing the panel, look at all the panellists present.

Working interview

Working interviews are most common in skill-based professions like food and beverage, teaching and content creation. Employers assign tasks to the candidates and require them to complete the tasks within the given time. This type of interview happens after the theoretical interviews to test the candidate's skills. Here are some techniques that you can follow to do well in working interviews:

Dress up in smart professional attire that also lets your work comfortably.
Before you work, make sure you understand all the given instructions. Ask smart questions if you require clarification about something.
Appear confident and organised while you complete the task.

Related: How To Prepare For A Job Interview

Last-Minute Tips To Prepare For An Interview

Being prepared for an interview can show the interviewer that you have put in the efforts and are genuinely interested in the job. If you are short on time, these tips can help you prepare for an interview:

Review the job description. Re-read the job description to identify the qualities and skills that the recruiter wants the ideal candidate to have. Select some keywords from the job description and use them during the interview.
Re-read your resume and cover letter. Make sure you are clear about everything on your resume and cover letter so that you can explain to the recruiter when asked. Be prepared with supporting stories for each experience or skill like 'What is the biggest takeaway from your previous job?' and other similar questions.
Research the company. Make sure you know about the key people in the company, its history, the company's products and services, and visit their social media profiles and blog to get deeper information. It can show the recruiter that you have taken the time to do thorough research.
Research the industry. Learn about the major players in the industry and identify the company's competitors. Familiarise yourself with the current trends and practices that the company could benefit from and suggest them during the interview.
Prepare answers to common questions. Create a list of the most common questions like 'tell me about yourself' and prepare answers for them. Prepare answers to the most common questions that are asked for the job that you are applying for.
Dress professionally. Except for telephonic interviews, your attire can play a crucial role during all other types of interviews. Pick an outfit that is smart, professional and comfortable, and make sure your shoes are polished and your outfit is crease-free.
Prepare your folder. Carry your resume and certificates in a good-looking professional folder, and also carry a small notebook and a pen that fits into the folder. It can show the recruiter that you have good organisational skills and are prepared.

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