When it comes to the world of work, an interview is one of its central elements. There are numerous types of interviews employed by different specialists and in different fields. However, according to Adler et al. (2012), regardless of the type, all of them have some common features. First of all, an interview always involves two parties, although there might be a number of interviewers (for instance, in situations of employment) or interviewees (as in a ‘meeting the press’ type of format). Either way, there are always two sides: the side that interviews and the side that responds. Secondly, an interview is always intentional, as opposed to casual conversations: in interviewing, minimum one participant has a significant, predetermined purpose. In addition to that, in an interview, the emphasis is on asking and answering questions. Essentially, questions are an interview’s main ‘tools’ that are designed and used to collect information and regulate the exchange.
In terms of my personal experience, the type of an interview I am most familiar with is the job interview. I was interviewed a couple of times and listened to the stories of my friends and relatives about their employment process. What I have learned from it is that there must be several rules that an interviewee has to adhere to in order to get a job. First and foremost, I believe that it is essential for a person to research the company they apply for a job in, and, if possible, interviewers. In this way, one will understand what the company’s goals are, what type of people it is looking for, and how they personally can be a great fit.
Moreover, interviewers might want to ask a potential employee what they know about the company or why it is this company one has chosen as a potential workplace, and it is important to be prepared. One of my friends was being honest in responding to a similar question by saying that he did not really know anything about the organization but was ready to learn along the way. He was not hired: the interviewers wanted for an employee to be passionate about working in that particular company and to believe that it was an honor to get such an opportunity.
Furthermore, a person must not come to a job interview without having practiced their answers to common questions, especially if it is tough for them to think on the spot. These questions rarely differ significantly from a company to a company, and the Internet is full of lists that can help one be prepared for what they might get asked. My cousin told me about her successful job interview: she researched common questions that people in her field and position usually need to answer in a job interview and thoroughly thought them over. Then, she asked her friend to play the role of an interviewer and practiced out loud the night before. As a result, she was much more confident in her answers the following day and made a good impression, which helped her to get the job.
Finally, to achieve success, it is necessary to show that one is as interested in their potential position as possible. To do that, an interviewee might want to ask questions themselves. I decided to do that when applying for a job position once and noticed my interviewers being pleasantly surprised by the degree of interest I expressed and the forethought of my questions. I believe that it was this approach that distinguished me from others and helped me get the job.
Reference
Adler, R. B., Elmhorst, J. M., & Lucas, K. (2012). Communicating at work: Strategies for success in business and the professions (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill.