How to Prepare For a Semi
How to Prepare For a Semi-Structured Interview?
If you are reading this, the chances are that you might be preparing to attend a Semi-Structured Interview with any company.
To make a note, there are several types of interviews while you undergo hiring process at different companies. A semi-structured interview is one among those interviews where there is no formal hiring process. The interviewer doesn’t stick to any formal list of questions. They will try to find out your attitude with more open-minded questions and let you discuss more on such topics.
The interviewer may particularly prepare specific questions but may not necessarily ask them all. Your hiring manager may not ask all the questions in any particular order. He/She will be informal and will make a conversation with you. The interviewer may prepare a list of general topics which are called an interview guide to make a conversation in the semi-structured interview.
Semi-Structured Interview Technique
Generally, recruiters will analyse the job role, its requirements and then build a profile of the ideal candidate. Based on them, they will make a list of questions that will help in making conversations with the candidates who attend the interview. This will act as a conversation starter to know the information from the interviewee. Depending on the answers, the interviewer may ask questions to gain more information about the candidate’s qualifications, skills, abilities and try to understand more.
Open-Ended Interview Questions
This is one of the most common practices in semi-structured interviews. This helps in leading with open-ended questions. The interviewer will ask some open-ended questions and then follow up with some spontaneous questions to draw more information about the profile of the candidate.
So, the interviewer may ask about the keys that led to the success of your job profile. Based on the interviewee answers, the interviewer may ask more questions to analyze the candidate’s capabilities.
This will result in a more fluid conversation between both interviewer and interviewee.
Communications between Interviewee and Interviewer
The semi-structured interview has a typical format where it leads to a two-way communication. Both interviewer and the candidate can ask questions which builds effective communication. In this conversation, the candidate’s comfort zone may expand and the candidate may discuss the techniques and experiences more clearly which will help the interviewer to decide whether the candidate is a good fit for the position.
Mostly semi-structured interviews are done by experienced and skilled interviewers. This will add more effectiveness on the interview. If the interview is conducted by less experienced interviews, it results in difficulties to draw the required information from the candidate.
However, it is necessary for a semi-structured interviewer to design well-planned and organized interview guide to meet the requirements for the role.
Preparing for Semi-Structured Interview
You need to prepare thoroughly to attend a semi-structured interview. You should be able to handle any type of questions in the interview. You should make a good impression and sell yourself properly to the interviewer.
- Review the job posting and check the requirements to draw the position
- Think of examples which can help you to answer the questions easily
- Research and know about the company, the projects, any innovations of the company which made them give a tough competition.
- Review the common questions asked in interviews and think, how you can revert to those in your style.
- It is always good to have questions for the interviewer (which are related to the company, position etc.). These questions may help to start a conversation with the interviewer.
- Practice- Try to have a mock interview with a friend or mentor. They may question you which you didn’t expect. This will make to have a comfortable conversation with the interviewer.
- Dress properly which best suits the position
- Follow up after the interview. Say, send a thank you email to express your interest in the position. If there is a reply from your interviewer, you can ask any questions or know information about the company and job role.