4 New Types Of Interviewing Techniques For Employers And Candidates

Interviews are changing. Pre-pandemic, face-to-face conversations were the norm, with  video interviews seen as a last resort. Now, more employers are going digital – with other types of interviews growing in popularity too.

The idea of an interview may conjure up images of two people sitting across a desk from each other. In reality, interviews can take many different forms – in fact, we see new techniques pop up all the time. To help you stay in the know, we’re providing some insight into four of the latest interviewing techniques…

1. Group candidate interviews

Just like its name suggests, a group interview is when multiple applicants are invited to be interviewed at the same time. This is a popular choice for companies who are hiring for more than one position, since it saves time by allowing employers to meet their shortlist in a single session. Not only that, group interviews are a great indicator of how well a candidate functions in a group environment.

2. Case interviews

Perhaps one of the more difficult interviewing techniques, a case interview is where a candidate is asked to solve a business problem. The aim here is to test problem-solving skills, plus soft skills like communication, teamwork, critical thinking, decision making, and time management. A case interview typically lasts around 30-45 minutes, and can often be divided into two rounds.

3. Stress interviews

“Stress” is really the operative word here – these interviews are designed to put candidates under pressure. The idea behind them is to see how well individuals think on their feet, react to troublesome situations, and stay calm in a pressurised environment. As you can imagine, stress interviews tend to be popular with fast-paced industries, or when recruiting for positions of high authority.

4. Lunch/informal interviews

Possibly the most coveted of interviews, an informal interview or lunch meeting does what it says on the tin – a candidate will meet an employer in a pre-agreed lunch location, or simply for a chat. Interviews in this setting give employers the chance to assess a candidate’s social skills, while also getting to know them better. Often, this type of interview is a precursor to another, more formal, interview.

What else has changed?

Of course, it isn’t just the type of interview that’s evolved; the interview itself is no longer solely for the benefit of an employer. The tables have turned, and candidates are now much more confident when it comes to the recruitment process – and much more likely to go after what they want as a result.

For applicants, asking questions is important; it helps them gain a greater understanding of their position and what their role in the company will be. For employers, be prepared to answer questions like “How has this role changed over time?” and “How do you support your staff’s learning and development?”, as well as queries about your employer value proposition.

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Whether you’re a candidate searching for a new role, or a hiring manager looking to snap up the best talent, interviewing is changing. Adding emerging interviewing techniques to your arsenal puts you in the best position to make an informed decision about a role or hire.

Our recruiters are always on hand to help you through the hiring process. Looking for a new role or to recruit into your business? 

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