Three Tips for Learning What You Can Expect from Your Next Interview

As a job seeker, fear of the unknown can really put a kink in your interview prep. While you may be confident in your skills and experience, not knowing what to expect can lead you to second guess yourself. Luckily, there are ways to get the information you need to know about what the interview process has in store for you, and what you can expect once you meet the Hiring Manager:

Ask the Person Setting Up the Interview What Type of Interview You Are In For

Some companies are more transparent then others about their interview process, but if you are given little more than a date, time, and location for your interview, it does not hurt to inquire about what type of interview you can expect. Simply ask the person setting up the interview:

 “I’m very excited to talk about what I can bring to this position. Will I be talking one-on-one with the Hiring Manager in person, or should I look forward to meeting with a panel of individuals?”

It is worth noting that one of the benefits of working with a recruiter, like AppleOne, is that you will be given extensive information on what you can expect from your interview and the process as a whole.

Check Glassdoor (or Do a Google Search for the Company)

You are not the first person to have questions about how a company conducts interviews; in fact, there are enough job seekers wondering what they are instore for that review sites like Glassdoor have dedicated sections for interview questions and information. This includes regularly asked questions and information on structure and candidate expectations.

In addition to review sites, you can also do a Google search for your company and see what comes up. Depending on the size of the company, there may be a wealth of knowledge regarding hiring processes and interview questions online. Just make sure that the info you are reading has been published within the last six months (the more recent the better) and seems to be coming from a legitimate source whose focus is more on substance than emotion.

Ask Your Network

Members of your network may have some insights into a company’s hiring process, especially if you share a similar career path with them. It makes sense to reach out to your network and pick their brains on their experience and what they wish they would have known going in. While experiences will vary from person to person, you can at least get a sense of the types of questions that are being asked, and who is in the room when asking them. If they can introduce you to someone who either currently or recently worked for the company, even better.