Use our tips and tricks to ensure your interviews are a success!
- Phone Interview
- Virtual Interview: Live
- Virtual Interview: Recorded
- In Person Interview: General
- In Person Interview: 1:1
- In Person Interview: Group
- In Person Interview: Panel
Phone Interview
Phone Interviews are usually conducted as the entry-way filtering point for any job or internship. Whether you’re speaking with a professional during an informational session or with a recruiter interviewing for a position, this is most likely the first time you’re talking with someone from the company. For your first impression, it’s important to come off as positive, upbeat and informed when speaking about your interests and experiences.
🐝 HIVE Helper: Phone Buzzwords Reminder
Organize your Buzzwords in front of you organized by category. You can use your longer Buzzwords for phone interviews since eye contact isn’t important. Use them exactly how you would otherwise, thinking about the category that the question is in or the conversation applies to, and grab one of your developed Buzzwords and make sure to incorporate it through your answer.
⚡️ HIVE Hack: Phone Interviews
- Use Headphones. This will cancel out any background noise and ensure your focus.
- Keep a Notepad on Hand. Take tiny notes of important details regarding the position, or talking points you’d like to bring up later.
- Smile While You Talk on the Phone. Your interviewer can psychologically register your enthusiasm on the other end.
- Take Your Interview in Front of a Mirror. Watching your facial features and tracking your body language allows you to remain focused on how you might be coming across over the phone.
- Talk Slowly. The interviewer is there to learn about you. Feel comfortable taking up space when offered.
- In Turn, Let the Interviewer Interrupt You. If your answer to a question is a bit long, odds are they are trying to get you back on track.
- Start Your Answer by Rephrasing the Question. For example, “I had to demonstrate leadership working at XYZ Company by…” This keeps your response on track, and gives your interviewer an easy time pinpointing important elements of your answer.
- If You Think You’re Rambling, You Are. Take a Pause. At the next appropriate moment, ask your interviewer if it’s alright for you to dive into further detail before you continue.
- Engage in Active Listening. Avoid the urge to fixate on giving the perfect answer. Instead, keep your head clear, listen to what’s being asked, and trust the time you’ve spent practicing to take you there.
🐝 HIVE Helper: Phone Interview Tips
Virtual Interview: Live
Live interviews take place over Skype, Zoom and other virtual platforms in real-time between you and the interviewer. Live interviews can take place during any stage of the interview process. As far as your internship search is concerned, live interviews are usually involved in the next/final steps of the hiring process. For your job search, live interviews are typically a second step before you have to step into the office in-person.
HIVE Hack: Video Interviews, Preparing BEFORE the Conversation
- Try to Find an Office-Like Setting for Your Interview. Somewhere on campus that’s quiet, or the career center, may have rooms for you to book ahead of time.
- Remind Roommates of Your Interview. Prevent them from potentially disrupting you during the process.
- Look at the Interviewer’s View. What they see behind you should be professional. No beds, no laundry. Use a backdrop on Zoom if you can’t find a spot with a clean background.
- Try to Mimic a Real-Time Professional Setting. If you can, adjust your computer so your bed isn’t in the background to make your environment look more professional. If you can’t do this, use a professional virtual background (you can find several free ones online).
- Check your Lighting. Place lamps and lighting in front of you, not behind. A bright lamp in the background will drown you out and create shadows.
- Avoid Wearing Bright Colors. Don’t drown yourself out on camera.
- Keep Your Camera at Eye Level. You can center your computer on a book in order to do so.
- Check That Your Lens is Clean. Use an eye-glass towel or rag to remove smudges or dust.
- Center Yourself on Screen. Make sure that your torso from the waist-up falls within the center of the frame in order to simulate an in-person conversation.
- Test Your Webcam Beforehand. Try having a friend or relative give you a call, or use the “Test Audio” and “Test Video” functions to make sure everything works.
- Keep Sticky-Notes on the Back of Your Computer. When speaking with your interviewer, preparing your notes as close to the camera as possible allows you to look at your Buzzwords without breaking eye contact.
- Turn off All Computer and Phone Notifications. Eliminate the potential for any background noise and disruption.
- Close All Computer Programs. Unless you need your resume on hand, close out of all computer programs. That way, your Wi-Fi runs as smoothly as possible.
- ⚡HIVE Hack: Video Interviews, During the Conversation
- Hide Self-View on Your Camera. If possible, software like Zoom allows you to hide your face while you talk. This prevents you from being distracted and allows you to focus on your interviewer as you would if you were speaking in person.
- Bring Your Interviewer Close to the Camera Lens. If the video platform allows you to do this, minimize your interviewer's face so that you can still see reactions but so that the window can be as close to your camera hole as possible. This way, whether you’re looking at their eyes, the camera or your notes right behind the camera, you won’t lose eye contact.
- Sit Up Straight. Demonstrate poise and attentiveness.
- Try Not to Use Headphones. If You Use Them, Use Small Ones. To make the conversation feel as real as possible, avoiding plugging in headphones or using any sound device that diminishes the quality of the conversation. If you need your headphones to cancel out sounds or for other reasons, avoid large, clunky headphones that might serve as a distraction.
- Address Video/Audio Issues at the Beginning. Try to address any issues with connectivity or audio and video at the beginning of the conversation. Avoid any pauses or hesitations that might prevent you from finishing your thoughts in the middle of the interview.
- Nod Occasionally. Nodding while your interviewer is talking shows that you’re listening. Listening cues aren’t always as apparent over a video interview.
- Maintain Eye Contact. When responding to questions, look directly at your lens. Avoid the urge to look indirectly at your interviewer on screen to best simulate in-person eye contact.
- Mimic Verbal/Non-Verbal Cues. If your interviewer is leaning in close to the camera to pay attention, nods or says small affirmations to confirm that they’re listening, do the same.
- Ask for Clarification. Don’t hesitate to ask your interviewer if they need clarification with your answer. Ensure they’re engaged and promote active listening on both ends.
- Completely Close-Out the Video When Finished. Before resuming any normal activities, make sure the video is totally closed out.
- Send a Follow-Up/Thank-You After Your Conversation. Show that you appreciated their time and state your intentions to follow up with them soon. Ask for their email and mailing addresses BEFORE you hang up.
🐝 Hive Helper: Video Practice Platforms
Depending on your university, you might have a subscription to a certain practice platform for free. Check-in with your career center.
biginterview.com
hirvue.com
interviewstream.com
Virtual Interview: Recorded
Recorded Virtual/ Video Interviews are usually conducted by companies that handle a massive volume of applicants will conduct recorded virtual/video interviews as a way to screen candidates before they interface with a recruiter. Companies often use automated software, like Hirevue and other screening systems in order to review candidates for this process. Usually, questions will appear on screen before your interview starts recording, giving you two to three minutes to prepare your answer. In preparation, review sites like Glassdoor to pinpoint common interview questions and themes that might be asked throughout this process. You’re much less likely to receive different iterations and variations in the interview questions, so it’s okay to prepare longer Buzzwords and talking points for this process.
⚡️ HIVE Hack: Virtual Interviews
- Try to Find an Office-Like Setting for Your Interview. Somewhere on campus that’s quiet, or the career center, may have rooms for you to book ahead of time.
- Remind Roommates of Your Interview. Prevent them from potentially disrupting you during the process.
- Try to Mimic a Real-Time Professional Setting. If you can, adjust your computer so your bed isn’t in the background to make your environment look more professional. If you can’t do this, use a professional virtual background (you can find several free ones online).
- Check your Lighting. Place lamps and lighting in front of you, not behind. A bright lamp in the background will drown you out and create shadows.
- Avoid Wearing Bright Colors. Don’t drown yourself out on camera.
- Keep Your Camera at Eye Level. You can center your computer on a book in order to do so.
- Check That Your Lens is Clean. Use an eye-glass towel or rag to remove smudges or dust.
- Center Yourself on Screen. Make sure that your torso from the waist-up falls within the center of the frame in order to simulate an in-person conversation.
- Test Your Webcam Beforehand. Try having a friend or relative give you a call, or use the “Test Audio” and “Test Video” functions to make sure everything works.
- Keep Sticky-Notes on the Back of Your Computer. When speaking with your interviewer, preparing your notes as close to the camera as possible allows you to look at your Buzzwords without breaking eye contact.
- Turn off All Computer and Phone Notifications. Eliminate the potential for any background noise and disruption.
- Close All Computer Programs. Unless you need your resume on hand, close out of all computer programs. That way, your Wi-Fi runs as smoothly as possible.
- Sit Up Straight. Demonstrate poise and attentiveness.
🐝 Hive Helper: Recorded Interview Prep
Depending on your university, you might have a subscription to a certain practice platform for free. Check in with your career center.
Biginterview.com
Fastcompany.com
Job-Hunt.org
Vault.com
🐝 Hive Helper: Video Practice Platforms
Depending on your university, you might have a subscription to a certain practice platform for free. Check in with your career center.
hirvue.com
biginterview.com
interviewstream.com
In Person Interview: General
In Person Interviews provide the ultimate chance to leave a lasting impression and clarify your work, expertise and interest in the company. Whether interviewing one-on-one, in a group or with a panel of interviewers, interviewing in person usually occurs towards the end of the interview process. Unlike phone and video interviews, which are more structured conversations, meeting in person allows the most time for small-talk and discussion outside of the position in question.
⚡️ HIVE Hack: In-Person Interviews
- Arrive at Least 15 Minutes Early. Demonstrate that you value the opportunity, and your interviewer’s time. This also ensures that anything that might happen to make you late does not.
- Dress Professionally. Show that you care about how you present yourself.
- Shake Your Interviewer’s Hand. Introduce yourself the second you meet them and give a firm handshake to show confidence.
- Acknowledge Your Interviewer’s Time. Thank them both at the beginning and end of your conversation.
- Engage in Small-Talk. Don’t be afraid to engage in small-talk before jumping into the nitty-gritty. This is a great time to connect with your interviewer on a personal level.
- Maintain Eye Contact. Show you’re confident and attentive.
- Talk Slowly, and Check in with Yourself Throughout. Fidgeting and feeling nervous is a normal part of the process, and taking the time to relax and address these tendencies is super important.
- Bring Your Resume and References. Have a copy of your resume and a list of references on hand in case your interviewer asks.
- Mimic Verbal/Non-Verbal Cues. Similar to your video interview, if your interviewer is leaning, nods or says small affirmations to confirm that they’re listening, do the same.
- Don’t Fear Silence! It’s great to think before you answer. If you need a second to collect your thoughts and think through your answer before you respond, ask your interviewer if you can take a second to think. Even if it feels funny in person, it will ensure that your answer is as succinct and thought out as possible.
- Send a Follow-Up/Thank-You After Your Conversation. Show that you appreciated their time and state your intentions to follow-up with them soon. Ask for their email and mailing addresses if you don’t have them.
🐝 HIVE Helper: In-Person Interview Tips
Informational Interviews
⚡️ HIVE Hack: Landing an Informational Interview
See our Written & Email Communications section for hellohive’s recommended process and content to use that will help you secure and get the most out of Informational Interviews.
🐝 HIVE Helper: Informational Interviews
Informational Interview Tips: Forbes.com
🐝 HIVE Helper: Finding Contact Info
Research Professionals; Email Addresses:
CareerShift
* We suggest you try LinkedIn first (see Written & Email Communications section), along with requests for introductions through connections. But platforms like CareerShift and others that your university might have can help as well as a last resort which would be a cold email directly to their work with no introduction ahead of time.
In Person Interview: 1:1
1:1 interviews, in person, are between you and another individual, usually a recruiter or someone who works in talent acquisition at the company. More often than not, the chance to interface with someone at the company one-on-one comes towards the final stages of your interview process.
All that you’ve prepared with your Buzzwords and talking points should be well-rehearsed. Don’t worry about answering questions perfectly or sticking to the perfect plan as it exists in your head. Allow yourself to be flexible in how you carry the conversation, showing that you’re personable in addition to being qualified. Use the tips we have provided based on the format of the interview (phone, video or in-person), and always send a thank you note after! An email should go the day of the interview, referencing specifics that you discussed, and a hand-written letter should go in the mail the following day.
In Person Interview: Group
Group Interviews consist of a single interviewer assessing multiple candidates at once, and are common among industries like Hospitality, Tourism and Retail. This type of interview is conducted not only for efficiency, but for allowing interviewers to see how potential candidates work on a team and interact with others. Group interviews also provide employers information on how well you work under stress, demonstrating problem-solving with multiple candidates in a fast-paced setting. In addition to asking candidates individual questions about themselves, a group interviewer might ask you to work on a simulation or problem-solving exercise and reflect on your work as a team after.
🐝 HIVE Helper: Group Interviews
Group Interview Tips:
Indeed
Sample Questions and Answers:
The Balance Careers
In Person Interviews: Panel
A Panel Interview includes one applicant and several interviewers, each often representing different departments within the company. In this type of interview, the interviewee might be asked questions by different panelists according to their department within the company. At other entities, panel interviews might be used to simulate fast-paced environments and scenarios where the interviewer could be asked to balance multiple interests at once. Panel interviews typically occur during the later stages of the recruitment process, and help the company make the best hiring decision possible by including a number of opinions in the hiring decision.
🐝 HIVE Helper: Panel Interview Tips
🐝 HIVE Helper: Panel Interview Questions