Different types of interviews and their pros and cons:

An interview is the most crucial part of the hiring process. The purpose of an interview is to get insight into a candidate’s potential that can’t be found in a resume. Over time, different methods have been developed for conducting interviews and each of them has its own pros and cons.??

To strategically prepare for your interviews, you should be aware of the different types of interviews and their pros and cons. Let’s dig into the details:?

Telephonic interview- It is generally the commencing step of the screening process. Telephonic interviews may be used to screen candidates in order to select those who will be invited for a face-to-face interview. They can shortlist candidates' resumes and schedule a call with them. In a telephonic interview, typically behavioural questions or technical oral questions are asked.

Pros-

• It is a quick way of interviewing and takes less effort as it can be done from any location in the world with just a phone call.
• The interviewer can only hear the candidate's voice, so he can keep quick/short notes and information with him during the interview.

Cons-?

• Background noises, other calls, or network issues could interrupt the conversation.?
• It is hard to assess a candidate's body language and attentiveness over a phone call.

Video interview- Video interviews help speed up the whole hiring process. over a couple of years, this mode of the interview has been embraced more due to the covid situation. Interviewers can get a real glimpse into the overall personality of the candidate without physically being in a room with them. Also in some cases, if the candidate lives far away from the location of the interviewing authorities, the video mode is used to screen the candidates before meeting in person. In a video interview, the interviewer and candidate connect directly over a video call (through Zoom, Skype, Willo, Google Hangouts, etc). Candidates can be given problems to solve or oral questions can be asked. A video interview may last longer than a telephonic interview.?

Pros-?

• It is an effective way of interviewing and can be done from any location.
• The interviewer can see the candidate’s facial expressions and the candidate can present himself in a better way.?

Cons-

• Connection and network issues could interrupt the call.
• Some candidates may not present as well on-camera as they would in a face-to-face interview.

Group interview- Group interviews are like group discussions and usually happen after the initial rounds of the interviews. Groups of candidates are interviewed at once. Each group is given a topic to discuss. The performances of each candidate are observed, e.g. who is active, who is trying to lead, who is quiet, who is speaking clearly. This round is essentially organized to asses them on the quality of mass communication, people friendliness and clarity in opinion.?

Pros -

• It saves both the interviewer’s and candidates’ time.
• It tests the candidate’s teamwork spirit.?

Cons-?

• Potential candidates may get missed out as interviewers may not observe them properly.?
• It requires a greater number of interviewers to carefully observe candidates' performance.?

Face to face interview - This is mostly the final stage of the process. In a face to face interview, the candidate meets the interviewer in person and gets interviewed. This mode is considered most productive as the interviewer gets a total insight into the candidate and there is very little room for dishonesty.

Pros-?

• The interviewer can test the candidate's body language and confidence thoroughly.?
• The collected data about the candidate is more accurate in this type of interview and it increases the response rate.

Cons-?

• It can be time-consuming.?
• The candidate may have to travel a long distance that is not pocket friendly.

Panel interview- Panel interviews are conducted by a panel of interviewers. By combining their strengths, panels ask the most comprehensive and effective interview questions possible to assess the candidate thoroughly. The candidate may need to tackle problems from various fields in these types of interviews, so they should prepare themselves accordingly.

Pros-?

• The candidate gets assessed thoroughly on each parameter.
• It helps reduce personal bias as group judgement is used in the selection of candidates.

Cons-

• It can be overwhelming for the candidate.?
• A disagreement between the members of the panel is possible.

Based on the requirement, most software companies conduct interviews in rounds as part of their hiring process. The rounds can take the following forms:?

Online assessment- It is an online test designed to assess the candidate's abilities. This can include different types of sections such as verbal reasoning, aptitude questions, coding questions, CS fundamental questions based on the company’s requirement.?

Technical round- In a technical interview, the candidate’s problem solving and analytical skills are assessed and it checks how the candidate handles the pressure to solve a problem in the given time. Technical questions related to the job role can be asked.?

Managerial round- This round could be skill-based and more technical. Questions are asked to assess the candidate’s knowledge of the domain and the depth of their understanding in the specific area. Situational questions can also be asked to check if the candidate is fit for the role.?

HR round- An HR round involves behavioural questions to determine whether a candidate is open to learning and challenges and able to work with the team. Candidates are asked about their motivation for joining the company.?

CONCLUSION: The type of your interview can depend on various factors, such as the company, the role you are applying for, and the current situation of the country. The use of telephonic and video interviews has become increasingly popular during the pandemic. No matter what kind of interview you have, you need to set yourself up in the best way to secure your desired job. To help you prepare the best, CS mock provides guidance through live mock interviews and mentorship. Book your session here and get detailed feedback on your performance.?