Interview
Interview formats differ with the style of the person who conducts them. To understand their style, it will help to know about the interview formats that job candidates experience most often: open-ended, narrative, and standard Q&A.
The Open-Ended Format
If the interviewer, again our man in his thirties, opens with something like, "Well now, tell me all about yourself,” he has begun what may be an open-ended interview. If this is the case, you will be asked questions that you could respond to in many ways. The interviewer, if skilled, may monitor your responses closely to assess your priorities, sense of direction, and ability to focus on the issue at hand, among other things. Just stay alert to the task, keep your answers brief, and keep relating them to how your skills fit the available opening.
An unskilled interviewer who uses this approach may simply not feel like talking. In fact, he may have already written you off and may be going through the interview only to fulfill an obligation. It will be your job to engage the interviewer in the process if you hope to succeed. Many open-ended interviews contain early questions that would be difficult for the candidate to answer without having further input. For example, you might be asked to describe why you believe you are qualified for the opening. If no one has described the job to you, you can't do this very well. Don't guess; ask. If you need more information in order to respond appropriately, say so—no matter what the question might be.
The Narrative Format
You would think that not too many interviewers would open with a narrative type of interview, but a surprising number of candidates have said that it is more common than we might imagine. "I can remember when I was about your age, looking to move to the big city, just as you are. It seems like only yesterday. In fact, during the twenty years that I've been here.
Such an interviewer, says a woman in her sixties, may be acting out of nervousness or egocentricity, depending upon what she chooses to ramble on about. However, the technique could also indicate a person who wants to monitor your nonverbal responses or your skill at handling the situation. Finally, it may be an effort toward "full disclosure," a desire to give you all the facts.
How do you handle this one? Let her ramble a bit, but any time you think you've heard the end of a sentence, use whatever you can from the monologue to ask a question that will bring the discussion back to the job. The interviewer may go on again for a while, but at least what you hear should be more relevant. You can ask questions that show your knowledge of the organization. You can also ask the interviewer to tell you more about the job itself. In any case, you may need to work to get the information you must have to make a sound decision. The interviewer's style may be a sufficient tip-off if she will be your boss.
The Standard Q&A Format
Finally, we come to the interviewer, let's say a brisk young woman, who seems determined to make your interview a productive experience for both of you. This interview might open with a stage setter and a first question that might go like this:
"This morning, I would like to cover the following areas of discussion with you: the job that is open, the department itself, and the company and its role. Then I’d like you to discuss your background and experience as they might relate to the opening. Let's both feel free to raise questions at any time.
This is your standard Q&A interview, and it is the most productive and most frequently used of all. In the next chapter we will discuss the areas of questioning you might be expected to address during your interview.
