Different types of interviews

Competency-based interviews

• These are designed to allow you to show your skills and draw upon your experience in the main areas of the job.
• You may be asked to give examples from your last job to demonstrate an understanding of a particular area of the role.

Group interviews / assessment centres

• You may be invited to attend an assessment as part of a group activity.
• This in part is to test how you work within a team.
• Be prepared to take an active role, being part of the discussion or assigned task.

Telephone interviews

• Some employers will conduct an initial interview over the telephone.
• A CV to hand can help deal with questions which may arise and spending some time going through the interview questions mentioned in this guide.

Interviews with personality tests

• This is a way of identifying your feelings and behaviours in various situations.
• There are no right or wrong answers.
• Large organisations can use this method as part of the interview process.

Interviews with aptitude tests

These are intended to test your ability to deal with tasks such as problem solving, following instructions and using words and numbers.

Panel interviews with service user involvement

Public sector and voluntary organisations may also involve their service users in the recruitment process. Examples of this may include:

• Participating in the short listing process;
• Preparing interview questions for candidates;
• Participating at the selection panel or at the interview stage either during, post or both;
• At interview - engagement and exposure to users/carers as part of a reference assessment group;
• During assessment centres.