What are the 3 steps of interview?
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If you’re like most people, interviewing for a job is a lot like visiting the dentist: You don’t look forward to it, it’s no fun while you’re there, and if things don’t go well, you’ll be feeling the pain long after you leave. Job interviews may not be as physically painful as getting your teeth drilled, but let’s be honest — the emotional discomfort is real. After all, who in their right mind enjoys having a bunch of strangers grilling you on your skills and talents, while holding all the power to decide the fate of your career? Fortunately, all the stress and heartburn will be totally worth it in the end, because interviewing is the very last hurdle before landing your dream job! That’s why it’s critical to understand the process — so you can plan, prepare, and perform your very best in every stage of interviewing. On this page: There are several different stages and types of interviews. Sometimes, an interview is so “informal” that it sneaks up on you — you might not realize you’re being interviewed until it’s already too late. So let’s discuss the different types of interviews, learn what makes each one unique, and find out exactly how you can prepare yourself for success. Type 1: Informal InterviewWhat is it?An informal interview is like a ninja. It can sneak up on you when you least expect it, and you may not know what just hit you until it’s already too late. Imagine this scenario: You’ve just spent the day at a game industry conference, maybe PAX or GDC. Now you’re at an after-party, relaxing and enjoying the music, and someone at the bar strikes up a conversation with you. As you start off with some small talk, they ask a few perfectly normal questions. “What do you do?” “What kind of job do you want after you graduate?” Guess what? You may not know it yet, but it’s very possible that you’re actually being “informally” interviewed! The person you’re talking to at the bar could be a recruiter, or a hiring manager, or just somebody who’s influential in their studio and scoping out promising candidates. It’s very possible that they’re not just asking you questions to make small talk, but to assess whether to ask you to apply for a job. What happens during the interview?The key is to realize that you’ve just stumbled into an interview situation. Stay cool and professional. Don’t ramble! It’s easy to talk too much when you’re nervous, but try to keep your responses short and focused. It’s better to give a shorter response, and let them ask follow-up questions if they want more details and depth. After they’ve learned a bit about your background and career aspirations, the “informal” interview will end, and with any luck the conversation will transition smoothly into a normal conversation — you’re back to being just two video game geeks talking shop. By the way, if you do find out that they’re a recruiter or hiring manager, you could even do some investigating of your own. Ask them a few of your own questions about their company, products, and culture. Try to find out if it sounds like someplace you might like to work someday. As the conversation wraps up, hopefully you have a clean, wrinkle-free business card to hand them. And if they ask you to follow up by sending them a resume or a job application, remember to do it! Don’t wait — send it the very next day. See also Top 10 Phone Interview Dos and Don'ts How do I prepare?Informal interviews can happen whenever and wherever you least expect it, so it’s best to prepare ahead of time.
Type 2: Pre-Screen InterviewWhat is it?The pre-screen is usually a short, five- to 30-minute interview with a single person from the company, often done over the phone or video conference. The purpose of the pre-screen is to “filter out” any candidates that obviously aren’t a fit for the job, to save the hiring manager and other interviewers from wasting their time on a full interview that wouldn’t end in a hire. What happens during the interview?The pre-screen will start with a few “administrative” questions, for example to make sure you can legally work in the country and are available to start on the needed date. Then it will move to short, easy questions that are designed to find out whether you’re likely to be a reasonable candidate for the job — programmers might be asked a few simple code-related questions, or designers might be asked some lightweight design questions. While you’re answering the questions, be aware that the interviewer will also be assessing your attitude and your communication skills. Speak clearly, be friendly, and keep a positive attitude. How do I prepare?To nail your pre-screen interview, follow these tips:
Type 3: Formal InterviewWhat is it?At last, the formal interview! This is what you normally think of when you imagine interviewing, so it’s important to be well-prepared and do your very best on this one. The formal interview is almost always done on site at the company’s offices, although video conference is sometimes used if the company is located far from your home. The interview could be as short as a couple hours, or it could take an entire day — it just depends on the company’s policies. What happens during the interview?An on-site, formal interview typically goes like this:
See also Should I drop out of college and learn to make games on my own? How do I prepare?Follow these tips for a successful interview:
After the interviewsWhen you’ve finished going through all the stages of interviewing — informal, pre-screen, and formal interviews — it’s a good idea to send a “thank you” note. Don’t wait. Do it the very next day. And don’t stress out if they don’t call you back right away, because it can take a week or more for the interviewers to make a decision and complete the job offer paperwork. It just depends on how many different candidates they’re interviewing for the job, and how overworked the hiring managers are at the time. You should check in with your contact at the company no more than once per week, to ask about your status as a candidate. Last but not least: Be proud of yourself! The interview process can require a lot of time and effort, and it can be stressful (although not as stressful as a root canal). You can minimize your stress and maximize your chances of success by understanding the different types of interviews, and by being prepared. If this article was helpful, please help others by sharing it on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. Image: Maggie Smith / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Read my new book!Making games for a living is an incredibly rewarding career, but it’s hard to break in unless you have insider knowledge. This book levels the playing field. What are the three 3 main parts of an interview?An interview is structured into three parts:. Opening the interview and welcoming the candidate, outlining the purpose and structure of the interview.. The body of the interview. The fact finding part, ask questions and allow the candidate to answer.. Closing the interview.. What are the 3 rounds of interview?3 Rounds of Interview
This type of interview may include an HR round, technical round and a final discussion round.
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