I used to fear interviews. Interviews gave me butterflies in the stomach when I was early in the workforce.
Once it was so bad that I had to excuse myself in the middle of an interview to go to the toilet, of course, I didn’t get the job because I was too nervous. As always, when it comes to something I fear or hate, my headstrong character will not give up that easily. I made myself go for interviews after interviews even when I had a stable job and was very happy in it.
Friends will ask me why I keep going for interviews and I’d reply that I want to know my marketability. In the end, I got so good at interviews that I can tell if I am going to get the offer (or not) before I even walk out the door.
Here are the type of interviews you will come across in your life:
The Intimating 1 on 1
This is the common one. They put you in a tiny room with another person. You’ll feel your personal space is encroaching. So much so that you can smell the breath from your interviewer. Ewww…
The Many vs 1
I had only two of such interviews in my life and I can tell you that it is intimidating, more so than the 1 on 1. Especially when there are like ten pairs of eyes staring down at you while you stammered your answers, quietly wiping your sweaty palms behind your back. Imagine if you will, a group of lions slowly creeping up on you – the prey.
The Group
This is the opposite of the above. Instead, there will be a group of 5 to 10 interviewees vs 1 or 2 interviewers. Usually, there will be a simple test of collaboration which is to see who will merge as a leader or how well the group can work as a team.
The HR
Instead of the boss or the hiring manager, you get the HR who knows nuts about the job scope except to read off the list and he or she can’t even tell you anything about the work schedule or your future in the company. She can only ramble about how great / wonderful / nice the company is.
The Publicist
Instead of an interview, you probably walked out of the meeting room, thinking it was a marketing ploy. The interviewer can’t stop boasting how great the company is and how blessed you will be if you get to be picked as one of the employees. Even if the compensation is mediocre.
The Awkward
Probably a noob interviewer. Sometimes it is the lack of questions. Sometimes it is the questions themselves that don’t make sense. What you never want is awkwardness in an interview – that is a sure failure.
The Fun
Oh, I love this one! Usually, I have so much fun with the interviewer, I never want it to end. Usually, it is because the questions are easy and personal, more like the person genuinely want to know you as a person and not trying to fit you into the tick boxes of the job scope. I had an interview with a really nice hiring manager and we hit it off so much that our session drag on to two hours and a dinner after that! Of course, I got the job instantly.
The Challenging
This will make you sweat. I have had challenging interviews that I couldn’t figure out why and where their questions are directing at. It might be an EQ question or maybe an IQ one. Nevertheless, it is definitely not a Breeze interview and often I came out of it wondering if the questions have any right answers.
Do you think I cover all the types of interviews? Do you have some stories to share with us? Come and join us in the comments below!
I have more interview related articles here:
Should You Send A Thank You Note After Your Interview?
Inappropriate Interview Questions
MiddleMe 
How spot on you are about the interview types and process.
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Thank you and welcome to MiddleMe!!
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Interviews can be quite intimidating. Thank goodness I don’t need to attend anymore.
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Yes, it always gives me the butterflies in my tummy and make me lose appetite for breakfast.
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I used to get an upset tummy and some chest pain.
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Ouch! Must be terrible feeling,
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Yes it is a terrible feeling but the good thing is it doesn’t last.
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The relief must be immensely good.
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I don’t know if it’s normal or not but I actually kind of like interviews. 🙂
I’ve only ever had the one on one and the many vs one ones of course. Group interviews would be a whole different story for me.
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Maybe you should try to hit all kinds of interviews. It’ll be an experience!
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Sometimes, I’ve had an interview where several people ask me different questions. I usually like such an interview because it gives me a chance to think on my feet. The questions are often work related and it’s like taking a verbal essay test rather than a fill in the blank test. Sometimes I’ve done well and other times, not so well, but it is a self-check opportunity for me to know what the current button issues are for the prospective company and how much general knowledge I can weave into the answer.. It also gives me an idea as whether I think it is a company I might want to work for.
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Great input from you. I think interviews with creative questions are interesting and challenging. If you think positively, it can be quite a fun experience!
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The after Interview, thank you note seems like great idea, if the interview went well. :DARN!, why didn’t I think of that.
The weirdest interview I had was with a French company who planed to open there first SUPERSTORE here in the USA.
They booked me on a late flight and I arrived at the airport around 10:30 pm; only to discover that my luggage had been misplaced {found out later this was part of the test}; then we went out to eat at a French Restaurant where it was “common for them to eat just ONE item”; here in the states we have a common 3 course meal. {THAT too was part of the test to see how I would react.} … I got the position as ranking American Merchant on staff. ….It was quite an experience.
I’ve done a fair amount of hiring myself over the years: …EYE contact was always a critical factor in my interviews.
Thanks Kally!
Please send me your e -mail address again {up date lost it}
patrickmiron66@hotmail.com
God Bless,
Patrick
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Wow. It looks like you have an epic ride like a roller coaster up and down. Such a wonderful and unique story to share with us. Thank you, Patrick.
My email address is Kally@MiddleMe.net. I’ll drop you an email later so you’ll never lost my email address again.
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I have experienced all of the interviews. One thing about the fun interview you often feel like old friends and having such good random conversation that you often forget to ask the important questions like benefits, pay, performance reviews, and schedule which can make it very awkward later if they are not what you expected.
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That’s very true too. I did lost myself in the fun of the interviews and had to call back to find out about the benefits. How embarrassing! Haha.
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If you were a fruit, which one would you be and why? — Sometimes, you really don’t want the job after the interview 😉
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Hahahahaha. This is a really good one. Sometimes, between the interview, you’ll realize that the job or the workplace isn’t for you and you are too polite to walk out of the interview.
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I’m afraid, I did take the job and hardly lasted two months. You’re right, I was too polite to just grab my stuff and leave … In hinsight, I learned a lot about what I don’t want from a job EVER from that job and to just listen to my feeling. You’re spot on with your advice!
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I always have a difficult time sleeping the night before the interview takes place due to nerves. I’ve experienced a variety some of which were mentioned here! The most difficult interview I had was a one-sided interview when I had to speak into a web camera and I couldn’t see who I was interacting with!
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