Job Interviews: 7 Types (page 1 of 2)	
Job Interviews: 7 Types	
Employers use a job interview to evaluate a job seeker's attitude, perso
nality, education, training, skills, 
fit with company, and reason for wanting the job.  There are different types of jobs, and there are different 
types of job interviews.  The type of interview used helps the employer get to select the best job seeker for 
that type of job opening.  Also, job interviews help job seekers get to know the employer and company — 
so that job seekers can decide to accept or turn down a job offer.  The key to 
success during a job interview is to be prepared .  To help you prepare for types 
of  job interviews, here are 7 types of job interviews and why each is used.
Traditional (Face-to-Face or One-to-One) Interview
This is the most common type of interview.  You fill out a computer or paper  
application for a job opening.  You are invited to a job interview.  You meet the interviewer (who may be 
the manager).  The interviewer starts asking questions, and you answer.  During the interview, you need 
to focus on the interviewer —  maintain eye contact, listen to questions, give answers to describe your
 
skills, and show a positive attitude.   Traditional interviews are used for entry-level job openings such as 
fast food, retail, cashier, sales associate, and others.
Panel or Committee Interview
You are invited into a room where you are seated at a large table.  On the other side of the table are three to 
ten people who ask you questions.  You need to: a) Maintain eye contact with the person asking question.  
b) Look at the other interviewers as you answer the question.  c) Explain how your skills and experience 
will help you do a good job.  Panel interviews are used when the person hired for the job opening must deal 
with many people — police officer, fire fighter, city inspector, or forest ranger.
Behavioral Interview
Your past actions give employers clues about your future actions.  Behavioral interview questions ask, 
"Give me an example of how you handle a customer complaint," or "T ell me about a time that you solved 
a problem."  Prepare by thinking of examples from your past that shows you have skills such as teamwork, 
problem solving, communication, creativity, and organization.  Behavioral interviews are used for jobs 
such as supervisors, managers, sales workers, and others who must make independent decisions on the job.
 
Phone or Video Interview
Employers may use phone or video interviews:  a) For first interview .  b) To save travel time.  
c)  To quickly screen out (eliminate) job seekers that are not acceptable.  d) To interview 
job seekers who live far away.  For a phone interview, listen carefully and talk clearly.  For a video 
interview, use a clear background, quiet room, wear clothing for the job, keep pen and your resume nearby.  
The Performance Interview
You may be asked to bring samples of your work (such as photography or graphics).  And, you may be 
asked to: a) Solve a problem.  b) Do an actual work task.  You may ask questions to make sure you 
understand what you are to do before you start.  Keep calm and do your best work.  Performance interviews 
are used for trade workers, craft workers, and artists.

College & Career Publishing.  Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	Job Interviews: 7 Types (page 2 of 2)	
Lunch (or Dinner) Interview
Employers invite you to a lunch interview  when job requires that you meet with 
clients (customers) during meals in restaurants.  You, as the job seeker, will be 
invited to a restaurant.  You will be seated at a table with one or two interviewers.  
You will need to make polite conversation about neutral topics (weather, sports, company's future plans).  
You may be asked interview questions before the meal is served and while 
eating.  Keep relaxed with good 
table manners.  Follow interviewer's lead in ordering (order similar  m
eal; do not order more expensive 
meal).  Avoid messy foods, and do not drink alcohol at any time.  Listen to the q
uestions, answer with a 
positive attitude, maintain eye contact, and act professional at all tim
es.  Do not act as if you were eating 
with your friends.  Lunch interviews are used for job openings in sales,
 customer service, and management.
Brain Teaser (or Puzzle) Interview
Technology companies, such as Google and Apple ask brain teaser questions to job seekers to find out: 
a) How the person acts and thinks under pressure.  b) Steps the person
 takes to solve the puzzle. 
c) What solution is presented.  Here are some Brain Teaser questions:  
How many ways can you think of to find a needle in a haystack?  How 
would you explain cloud computing to a 6-year old?  If you woke up and 
had 2,000 unread emails and could only answer 300 of them, how would 
you choose which ones to answer?  How many golf balls can fit in a 
school bus?  What kind of a tree would you be?  How many times a day 
does a clock's hands overlap?  Why are manhole covers round?
7. Performance Interview:   a) What may you be 
asked to bring?  b) What 2 types of things may 
you be asked to do?  c) For what types of jobs 
are performance interviews used?
8.  Lunch Interview:  a) When do employers 
  invite you to a lunch interview?  b)  List 3 
  examples of "polite" neutral topics.  
  c) When will you be asked questions?  d) How 
should you not act?  e) For what 3 types of job 
openings are lunch interviews used?
9.  Brain Teaser Interview:   a) List 3 companies 
that use brain teaser questions.  b) Why are 
brain teaser questions asked?  c) Write down 
one brain teaser question, and your answer.
10.  Pretend that you are an interviewer. Which 
  type of interview would you schedule for the 
following job openings?  a) Supervisor.  
  b) Police officer.  c) Auto mechanic. d) Artist.  
  e) Customer representative.  f) Counselor.  
  g) School principal.  h) Graphic designer.  
  i) Writer for social media. 
1. 
Employers require job interviews to evaluate 
what 7 things about a job seeker?
2.  Interviews help seekers with what?
3.  Traditional Interview:   a) List 4 things you do 
to focus on the interviewer. b) For what types of 
job openings are traditional interviews used?
4.  Panel Interview:   a) Where are you seated? 
  b) Where are the interviewers seated? c) List 3 
things you need to do during a panel interview.  
d) When are panel job interviews used?
5.  Behavioral Interview:   a) What do your past 
actions give employers clues about?  b) Write 
down one example of a behavioral interview 
question.  c) Prepare for behavioral interview 
questions by thinking of examples from your 
past that show you have what 5 skills?  d) For 
what jobs are behavioral interviews used?
6.  Phone or Video Interview:  For what 4 
  reasons do employers use phone or video 
 interviews?
QUICK CHECK: