WHAT IS AN INTERV IEW?

Formal Interviews
1. An interview is essentially a structured conversation where one participant
asks questions, and the other provides answers. In common, the word "interview" refers
to one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee. The interviewer
asks questions to which the interviewee responds, usually providing information. That
information may be used or provided to other audiences immediately or later. This
feature is common to many types of interviews – a job interview or interview with a
witness to an event may have no other audience present at the time, but the answers will
be later provided to others in the employment or investigative process. An interview may
also transfer information in both directions.
2. An interview is a formal consultation or meeting for the purpose of ascertaining and
evaluating the qualifications of a person, group of people, or company to fill a particular
job situation.

3. Interview is a meeting at which information is obtained (as by a reporter, television

commentator) from a person. (Webster Dictionary)

4. Interview is a formal consultation usually to evaluate qualifications (as of a prospective

student or employee) (Webster Dictionary)

5. Interview is a meeting between a reporter and another person in order to get

information for a news story. (Oxford Dictionary)

Definition According to L. Brown, “It is a conversation between two people. It is a

conversation, yet, but directed to a purpose other than personal, social satisfaction”.
According to S.G. Ginsburg, “The interviewer’s questions must explore view points as
well as experiences, they must be as tough as the problems that will face the person who
gets the job”.

An interview is at the most fundamental level, a meeting between strangers. It is worth bearing
this in mind at all times when you are preparing for an interview. You have a very limited amount
of time to make a good impression, so preparation is key. An interview should be a two way
process, but in reality, particularly early on in your career, it can often feel that all the power is in
the hands of the interviewer. It can feel like you, as the candidate, are being judged and weighed
in the balance, whereas an interview really should be a two way process. You need to be sure the
job and the organisation is right for you too. Thinking about an interview like this may help
reduce the fear factor. It is true to say that most people get nervous at interviews and find them
pretty stressful, however many you have attended, but, by finding out a little more and being
better prepared, it is possible to improve your confidence levels and interview performance
markedly.

Informal Interview

An informal interview is an interview that takes place in a casual setting, such as over coffee or lunch.
Although an informal interview is not structured like a traditional, and more formal, job interview, the
interviewer's aim is the same, to assess whether the candidate would fit in the organization.

Informal interview is an un-planned and un-scheduled interview and may take place anywhere.
Venue and time is not fixed. Questions are not prepared well in advance. Whenever staff is
required, this kind of interview is conducted by asking simple questions like name, age,
qualification birth place etc., if candidates approach employer.

Formal interviews vs informal interviews

Interviews are a great way to know whether a potential candidate is worth hiring or not. But many
candidates may not be able to bring out their best in the strict office environment, but have a nice chat with
them in a coffee shop and he or she may turn to be the candidate you had in mind.

Formal interviews are the first type of interviews and also the traditional ones. Informal interviews
are also conducted with the same intention. However, the interviewee is given proper space to unwrap
himself. While in formal interviews one looks for technical knowledge and conceptual understanding of a
subject matter, in informal interviews you look to understand a person’s attitude, business acumen, and
communication style.

Both formats are efficient in their own way and in different scenarios. As a result, more and more
companies are moving towards a blend of both type of interviews to ensure good hires and proficient staff.
Different types of formal interviews

Interviews may be structured in different ways. At some point, though, whatever has gone before,
you will in most cases find yourself being formally interviewed face to face by one, two, or in
some cases, several interviewers at the same time. Below are some possible interview formats.

Group interviews – You will be interviewed at the same time as a number of other
candidates. Each candidate will be asked a question in turn and you may be encouraged to enter
into discussion with the other candidates. Selected candidates may then go on to an individual
interview.

A series of interviews with different people –each person will hopefully

ask questions with a different focus, though you may find you have to repeat yourself. If you are
asked similar questions, be sure to answer just as completely each time.

Informal ‘chats’ with different people followed by a formal

interview – you could be taken on a tour and will be given the opportunity to ask lots of
questions. Treat these informal chats as seriously as the formal interview! You can be pretty sure
that everyone you speak to will be asked for their opinion about your suitability.

Formal face-to-face interviews – could be one to one in smaller organisations,

but frequently more than one interviewer. Questions will be focused on the evidence you have
provided in your application/CV and letter that you meet the requirements of the job.

One-On-One Interview
One person interviews the candidate and makes the hiring decision. These interviews
can range from being very informal and conversational to being more formal and
structured. Follow the lead of the interviewer, but keep in mind that no matter how
informal, this is a conversation with an agenda. Project enthusiasm, maintain good eye
contact and be professional.

Panel interview - you may be interviewed by several people and the Chairperson will co-
ordinate the questions. Often each member of the panel will have their own set of questions
agreed beforehand and will ask the same set of questions to each candidate. Be sure that when
you answer a question from one panel member, you direct the answer to everyone, not just that
one person. The panel interview is common in the public sector.

Assessment centres – one or two days or more, typically including information

sessions, tasks, exercises and social events. Be careful that you do not behave too casually or talk
carelessly during any social events, coffee breaks or lunch/dinner. You need to maintain a
professional attitude throughout.

Telephone interviews – these are being used increasingly by employers as a way of

screening candidates to see if it is worth while asking them for a face to face interview or to
attend an assessment centre. Telephone interviews are quite challenging because all the visual
cues are absent, so it is probably worth looking at them in detail. There is more information about
telephone interviews in the Research and Preparation section.