Most Popular Job Interview Types & How to Practice For Them

In this article, MockQuestions addresses the most popular job interview styles and question types. We will help you understand the purpose of each interviewing technique and teach you how to succeed in any of these popular job interview scenarios.

Most Popular Job Interview Types & How to Practice For Them

What are behavioral job interviews?

Behavioral interviews are widely considered one of the most effective interview styles. Behavioral interviews ask candidates to give a story-based example from their past experience, demonstrating how they behave in specific work-related situations.

What job titles typically encounter behavioral interviewing?

Behavioral interview questions are asked in most job interviews. From a Sales Associate to a Resident to a Manager position, behavioral questions remain the most popular of all interview question styles.

What kind of companies ask behavioral interview questions?

Nearly all companies ask behavioral interview questions. Industries like tech, sales, and healthcare fully embrace this popular interview style. For instance, candidates interviewing with organizations like Facebook (Meta), Louis Vuitton, and Pfizer will likely encounter behavioral interview questions.

What type of questions are asked in a behavioral-based interview?

Candidates can identify a behavioral interview query by looking for questions that begin with "˜Tell me about a time when,' "˜When have you,' "˜Describe a time that you,' or "˜Walk me through a time when you"¦'

• Tell me about a time when you worked on a team-based project when a member was not doing their share of the work.
• What is the riskiest decision you have ever made in the workplace?
• Tell me about a time when you were unable to meet a project deadline. How did you react?

How can I prepare for a behavioral-based interview?

To prepare for a behavioral-based interview, be ready with numerous story-based examples that act as evidence of your professional behavior and abilities. Spend time learning about the STAR method to help you form a well-organized story-based response. This guide is a great start: How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions.

What are competency job interviews?

Competency-based interviews ask candidates to answer questions about their performance in specific areas. These questions are similar to behavioral questions. The interviewer might ask the candidate to describe situations where they have proven themselves competent in areas like teamwork, leadership, customer service, problem-solving, and more.

What job titles typically encounter competency interviewing?

Competency interview questions, like behavioral interview questions, are asked in many job interviews. Competency questions are prevalent in healthcare interviews among Nurses, Medical Assistants, and Physicians.

What kind of companies ask competency interview questions?

Nearly all companies ask competency interview questions since they help identify how candidates react in specific work-related situations. Industries like customer service, retail, and medical leverage this helpful interview style. For instance, candidates interviewing with organizations like Starbucks, Ikea, or Kaiser Permanente, are likely to encounter competency interview questions.

What type of questions are asked in a competency-based interview?

Candidates can identify a competency interview question by looking for queries that start with 'Describe a time in which,' 'When have you,' or 'Tell us about"¦'

• Tell me about an achievement you are proud of and the skills you used to achieve this goal.
• When have you taken an unusual risk in the workplace? What was the outcome?
• Tell me the ways in which you brought value to your most recent employer.

How can I prepare for a competency-based interview?

To prepare for competency interview questions, begin by brainstorming story-based examples that provide proof of your professional competencies. It's wise to spend time learning about the STAR method and how the STAR formula works to help you form a well-organized story-based response.

What are scenario-based job interviews?

Scenario interviews are also called situational interviews. In a scenario-based interview, the interviewer asks candidates how they would approach potential situations. This interview style helps the hiring company learn how the candidate would react in possible work-related scenarios. Unlike behavioral interviews, scenario-style questions typically allow the candidate to provide a hypothetical response vs. a real-life example.

What job titles typically encounter scenario-based interviewing?

Scenario interviews are beneficial when interviewing recent graduates, people newer to their careers, or individuals who are transitioning industries. From a Restaurant Host/Hostess to a Barista to an Entry-level Nursing position, scenario questions are often asked in beginner-level job interviews.

What kind of companies ask scenario interview questions?

Companies that hire entry-level positions or organizations moving away from typical behavioral questions will embrace the scenario interview style. Companies that operate in hospitality, fast food service, and call center environments lean on the scenario/situational interview style. Candidates interviewing with organizations like Four Seasons, Wendy's, or Teleperformance, are likely to encounter scenario interview questions.

What type of questions are asked in a scenario-focused interview?

Candidates can identify a scenario interview question by looking for queries that start with "˜What would you do if,' "˜How would you handle,' or "˜How would you approach"¦'

• What would you do if a client asked you about a product or service and you were unsure of the answer?
• If you had a co-worker call in sick and you were asked to take over their project requiring overtime from you, how would you react?
• What would you do if you were made aware of a co-worker being dishonest?

How can I prepare for a scenario-based interview?

The situation → solution → benefit formula is one standard method for answering scenario-based interview questions.

1. Express your understanding of the hypothetical situation.
2. Outline the solution you would introduce in this hypothetical situation.
3. Highlight the way your solution would benefit the employer.

What are Gallup job interviews?

Gallup interviews aim to reveal a job candidate's future potential. Questions asked in a Gallup-style interview focus on factors such as the candidate's existing talents, most significant competencies, and predictors of success. The Gallup interview method seeks to uncover:

• Stories of past achievements and career wins
• The emerging strengths of a job seeker
• Top skills that come most naturally to the job seeker

What job titles typically encounter Gallup style interviewing?

The Gallup interview method focuses less on finding "˜red flags' or negative traits in a candidate. Instead, it aims to draw out a candidates' natural talents. Companies hiring for roles requiring solid accountability, professionalism, and communication may lean on the Gallup interview style. They may use Gallup-style questions when filling positions such as a Training and Development Manager, Human Resources Professional, and Management Consultant.

What kind of companies ask Gallup interview questions?

At its core, Gallup identifies as a "˜global analytics and advice firm that helps leaders and organizations solve their most pressing problems.' It's reported that 90% of Fortune 500 companies lean on Gallup's CliftonStengths to assess candidates and employees. Organizations such as Stryker, Charles Schwab, and Hyatt Hotels Corporation are known to depend on the Gallup interview style.

What type of questions are asked in a Gallup interview?

Gallup interview questions ask the job seeker to describe their most considerable natural talents, as applied in everyday life and a workplace setting. By focusing on past successes as a predictor of future success, the Gallup interview presents a more relaxed and natural approach to most interviewers and interviewees.

• How do you react when you do not have the materials or equipment needed to perform your work?
• When a leadership opportunity presents itself, are you excited to jump in, or do you feel nervous?
• What steps have you taken this year to encourage your professional development?

How can I prepare for a Gallup interview?

Gallup interview questions should be answered naturally and with ease. For this reason, we recommend that you review but not over-prepare for a Gallup-style interview. Think back to your previous work, school, and volunteer experiences and achievements. Understanding your career path and future goals will help you form natural responses.

The interviewer will expect you to answer questions honestly while spotlighting your true personality and genuine character. You will want to avoid sounding too rehearsed and robotic.

What are task-based or test-based job interviews?

Task-based interviews are similar to competency interviews; however, they require more than a response. Task-based interviews include specific tests to prove a candidate's competency, based on a tangible outcome such as a performance percentage or total score.

What job titles typically encounter task-based interviewing?

Task-based interviews are widely used to help hiring managers choose talent for positions like Firefighters, Data Entry Clerks, and technical roles like Web Developers and Electrical Engineers.

What kind of companies hold task-based interviews?

Some of the companies that hold task-based interviews include Amazon and Boeing. Hospitality-based organizations like Hilton even take candidates through virtual games where tasks include customer-service simulations.

What type of tasks are required in a testing-style interview?

Every testing-style interview is different and will depend on the position the candidate is interviewing for. Some of the more common tasks include:

• Numerical data entry
• Alphabetical data entry
• Customer service aptitude
• Technical whiteboarding
• Personality tests

How can I prepare for a task-based interview?

As a first step, it's entirely acceptable to ask the hiring company if you will be asked to complete any tasks, tests, or assessments. The hiring manager, HR professional, or Recruiter guiding you through the interview process will be able to give you an understanding of the interview process and any upcoming tasks or tests. Then, you can prepare for your task-based interview by exploring the practice aptitude tests created for you by the MockQuestions team.

In Conclusion

Practicing and performing a range of interview styles helps you highlight your significant range of skills, knowledge, interests, and values. By understanding and preparing for a range of interview formats, you will increase your success potential in your interviews and as you grow in your career.

If you want to practice a range of interview styles, MockQuestions offers 35+ interview question topics, including Leadership, Conflict, and Problem-Solving.