Types of Interviews

Types of Interviews

Phone Screen
One of the initial interviews an executive will come across. If you receive a spur-of-the-moment call, ask to schedule a more appropriate time.

Traditional
Most executives have participated in these. Focus on highlighting how your skills, experience, and accomplishments prove you are the best candidate for the role.

Behavioral
Tests your self-awareness by focusing on what you have done in detailed scenarios. The main objective is to try to uncover how you solve problems.

Video
Saves the candidate and company money on travel costs, but still allows interviewers to observe the candidate’s character. Prepare for these as you would for an in-person interview.

Group
The hiring team interviews a number of candidates at the same time. This is not very common for most executive roles.

Panel
Panel interviews consist of numerous interviewers asking a candidate questions. These interviewers bring viewpoints from different departments within the company.

Lunch or Dinner
This interview is meant to see how you fit with the rest of the team, not to provide you with a free meal. Eat something light and clean so that you are not distracted.

Informational
Investigative meetings where the candidate is not being considered for a particular role. Over-prepare, keep your expectations low, and approach the conversation with gratitude.

Strength-Based
Uncovers what the candidate “loves to do” instead of what they “can do.” Companies conducting these want to be sure the candidate is passionate about the role.

This article was provided by BlueSteps. BlueSteps is the executive career management service of the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC). Boyden is a member of AESC. AESC’s BlueSteps helps 100,000+ executives manage their careers, track their goals and elevate their visibility to the right search firms. Get started >



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