What are the Types of Interviews in HRM?

This blog aims to discuss the various types of interviews in Human Resource Management. It highlights the advantages and disadvantages of structured, unstructured, panel, behavioral, and other types of interviews.

It gives us a clear understanding of the several aspects of interviews. The importance of interviews and their role for every candidate is discussed in detail through the blog.

Interviews are an important part of the hiring process in human resource management. It is a conversation between an interviewer and a job candidate. This helps in accessing the candidate's qualifications, experience, and skills.

There are many types of interviews in HRM like face-to-face or video interviews. Interviews are crucial. It helps companies make their best choice.

What are Structured Interviews?

In structured interviews, the interviewer asks a set of standard questions. These questions help determine if the candidates have specific job-related skills. These types of employment interviews in HRM allow a fair assessment of all candidates.

What are the Advantages of Structured Interviews?

Structured interviews have their advantages. They are beneficial to the interviewer in many ways.

Here are some of the advantages:

• Objectivity: In these types of interviews in hrm candidates are asked the same questions in the same order. This eliminates any subjective biases.
• Efficiency: These interviews save time and resources. This is because it is standardized.

What are the Examples of Structured Interviews?

In such types of interviews in hrm a standardized set of questions is followed.

Here are some examples:

• How do you handle conflict in the workplace?
• Can you describe your experience with project management?

What are Unstructured Interviews?

Unstructured interviews are a type of interview in which questions are not pre-planned. There are no fixed questions. The interviewer may let the conversation flow. Such interviews are flexible.

What are the Advantages of Unstructured Interviews?

Unstructured interviews help understand the candidate better. It promotes free-flowing conversation.

Here are some of the advantages:

• In-Depth Understanding: Such interviews allow the interviewer to understand the candidate's personality better.
• Flexibility: The interviewer can adjust questions based on the candidate's response. Interviewers can tailor the questions to suit the candidate.
• Informal: There are no predetermined questions in such interviews. The interviewers can ask questions that arise spontaneously.

What are the Examples of Unstructured Interview Questions?

Such interviews don't have standardized questions. The interview setting is more informal and flexible.

Here are some examples:

• Can you tell me a little about yourself?
• What motivates you to work?

What are Behavioral Interviews?

This is a situational interview in HRM. The interview asks candidates how they handled specific situations in the past. It helps the interviewer assess the candidate's behavior in future situations based on their past.

What are the Advantages of Behavioral Interviews?

Such interviews assess a candidate's past behavior. This helps predict future performance.

Here are some advantages:

• Fairness: Such interviews have standardized questions. Candidates are judged on the same criteria. This ensures fairness in the hiring process.
• Accuracy: Since it focuses on special skills and abilities. Such interviews help choose qualified candidates.
• Predictability: Such interviews help interviewers understand how candidates will handle similar situations in the future.

What are the Examples of Behavioral Interview Questions?

Behavioral interview questions help understand the candidate's personality. It gives an understanding of their behavioral traits.

An example of behavioral interview questions are

• Tell me about a time you solved a work-related problem.

What are Panel Interviews?

Panel interviews are the types of interviews in HRM where a group of interviewers assess the candidate. This includes HR managers, team leaders, and other professionals. Such interviews are used to select senior or managerial positions.

What are the Advantages of Panel Interviews?

Panel interviews have multiple interviews. Each of them provides feedback to the candidates.

Here are some advantages:

• Better evaluation: Panel interviews allow a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate. Each interviewer accesses different aspects of the candidate.
• Consistency: Each interviewer accesses the same candidate and asks similar questions. This ensures consistency in the interview.
• Better Decision-making: Collective feedback and opinions of the panel members lead to informed decisions. It reduces the risk of a wrong hiring choice.

What are the Examples of Panel Interview Questions?

Such types of interviews in HRM provide diverse perspectives. It is a useful tool for HR managers to make informed decisions.

An example of panel interview questions:

• How do you handle constructive criticism?

What are Group Interviews?

Multiple candidates are interviewed in group interviews. It is helpful when a company wants to hire a large number of candidates. It is useful to assess teamwork.

What are the Advantages of Group Interviews?

In group interviews, multiple candidates are interviewed simultaneously. There are many advantages to group interviews.

Here are some of the advantages:

• Different Perspectives: Group interviews help interviewers gain perspectives. They observe every candidate's interaction. It gives them insight into teamwork.
• Better Comparison: As there are many candidates, interviewers can compare and contrast them.
• Cost Effective: Multiple candidates are interviewed at the same time. This helps save time and resources.

What are the Examples of Group Interview Questions?

These group interviews help understand different perspectives. Many companies use this type of interview in their human resource management.

Examples of group interview questions are:

• Introduce yourself and share your experiences
• What skills and strengths can you bring to your team?

What are Case Interviews?

In these types of interviews in hrm candidates are presented with a hypothetical business problem. The interview is based on the candidate's ability to analyze the problem.

What are the Advantages of Case Interviews?

Case Interviews provide benefits to companies in the hiring process.

Here are some advantages of case interviews:

• Case Interviews help assess problem-solving skills. It helps companies understand the valuable skills of the candidate.
• Case interviews help assess a candidate's ability to communicate. It helps understand their purposes and ideas clearly.
• Candidates can showcase their industry skills. It helps access their understanding of industry trends.

What are the Examples of Case Interview Questions?

Such types of interviews in HRM are a common form of interview. It helps judge the critical thinking of candidates.

Some questions asked are:

• Market Sizing: Estimate the size of the global market for computers
• Operations Management: How can you reduce wait time for customers?

Conclusion

As we discussed, the common types of selection interview in HRM are structured, unstructured, behavioral panel case, and group interviews.

Understanding the different types of interviews in HRM can benefit HR professionals. It helps managers select an appropriate interview format based on the job's requirements. This helps HR managers stay up-to-date with industry trends.

Related Articles:

Job interview types
Recruitment and selection strategy
Selection process in hrm
Best ways to recruit employees