When you think about a job interview, you usually think of an in-person meeting with a hiring manager or recruiter asking a series of questions. While this is often the norm, there are plenty of other types of interviews that you may encounter along the way. Companies use different types of interviews depending on the job they’re planning to fill, the level of skill required, and the types of tasks involved.

In any case, it helps to know which type of interview you’ll be having so you can be prepared and have the right strategy in mind. So don’t be afraid to ask. There are a variety of “interview formats” as well as “Interview styles” The format is the setting and the individuals involved, while the style is the method of asking questions. 

No matter the style or format, they all have one thing in common: being prepared is the key to success. One way to do that is to use the STAR method. S: Situation, T: Task, A: Action, R: Result.  In this approach, the Situation explains all the important information about what’s happening; the Task is what you are hoping to achieve or solve; the Action is what you specifically do and the steps you would take; R is the result you achieved.

There are a wide variety of interview types out there, but in the hospitality industry, there are typically six common ones and which you’ll experience will depend on the job and the process the company follows:

1. Phone Screening: This is often the first step before you are called for an individual interview. It’s an opportunity for the hiring manager to ask general questions and get an idea of your background and experience. You should be prepared to talk about your hard skills, education, knowledge of the company, and the role you’re applying for.
2. Group Interview: Another first step in the process can involve attending a group interview where multiple candidates meet all together with an interviewer in one room to hear a presentation about the company and the job. For example, when a company is hiring a group of wait staff for a large conference or banquet, they may need to hire a lot of people at the same time and provide the same information to everyone. You’ll be hearing about the company culture, its values, the job requirements, and perhaps break into small groups to evaluate teamwork and collaboration skills.
3. Individual Interview: This is the most common type where you meet with one person by yourself and answer questions. It can be conducted in a variety of “styles” such as behavioral (where you are asked to talk about what you did in the past as an indicator of what you’ll do in future situations), situational (explain how you would act in a series of situations) or a lunch interview (to see how you interact socially and what your interpersonal and communication skills are). Be prepared with specific examples of what you’ve done in the past, brush up on your table manners, dress for the job you want, and do your homework.
4. On the Spot Interview/Career Fair: It’s possible at a career fair that you’ll have an opportunity to interview right away. Hiring managers use these interviews to screen applicants and immediately decide who should be included in the next step of the process. Come prepared with multiple copies of your resume, specific information about your education, and your job history.
5. Video Interview: These have become more popular recently now that Zoom and FaceTime have entered the workforce everywhere. These can last about 30 minutes and give the interviewer an opportunity to see you and build a rapport, face-to-face.  Be sure to remove any distracting items behind you, dress appropriately and focus – do not try to multi-task or do something else while you’re on the video call. Maintain good eye contact and answer confidently.
6. Panel Interview: In some cases, you may need to meet with a number of people in the company who have different roles but are all involved in the hiring process for this position. For instance, you may meet with the chef, the restaurant manager, and an HR representative. In this case, be sure to give each person your attention when they ask a question and try to include everyone in the more broad conversations. Each will have its own priorities and the more you can identify and speak to these different interests, the better you’ll do.

Interviews that don’t involve applying for a job:

Another type of interview might include an “Informational Interview” where you’ve asked to spend some time with a professional in whose job you have an interest. You’ll want to ask questions that help you understand what they do in this position, what helped them become successful and how you might get started in a similar job.

Finally, you’ll likely encounter an “Exit Interview” when you leave a job. This is an opportunity for the employer to understand why you are leaving the position. You may be asked some questions such as:

• Did you have enough training to do your job?
• What did you like the most or least about working here?
• Why are you leaving?
• Was the compensation sufficient?
• What would you change about your job?

Now you have some idea of what to expect and how to prepare for some different types of interviews. However, no matter what type you have, always do your best to prepare thoroughly ahead of time, dress the part, be confident and show them the best of who you are.