About Interviews
The Interview Process
First-round interviews: Most initial or “first round” interviews last 30-45 minutes and are often 1-on-1 or 2-on-1 interviews. The emphasis here is to get to know your motivations and goals better, while gathering specific information about the experiences and skills already highlighted in your application.
First 2-3 minutes: Introductions, small talk, what to expect
Next 15-20 minutes: Questions for you
Final 5-10 minutes: Questions for the interviewer, next steps
Second-round interviews: Some organizations make hiring decisions based on one interview, but typically most have several rounds of interviews, including a visit to the organization itself. Interviews that take place at the organization can last a few hours to a full day, and you are likely to meet with a number of people from the department in which you would work and possibly other employees from different departments.
To best prepare for these interviews, ask the recruiter or hiring manager these questions:
- What is the overall agenda for my interview?
- With whom will I be interviewing?
- Are there any materials or information you would like me to bring?
- If travel is involved, do I make those arrangements myself and submit receipts for reimbursement, or do you arrange for any travel needs?
Read more about the types of interview questions and how to go about preparing for interviews.