{"id":1801,"date":"2020-05-27T14:23:19","date_gmt":"2020-05-27T13:23:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/?p=1801"},"modified":"2025-10-22T15:16:28","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:16:28","slug":"informal-interview-relax-yes-but-not-too-much","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/2020\/05\/27\/informal-interview-relax-yes-but-not-too-much\/","title":{"rendered":"Informal interview? Relax yes...but not too much"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"a<\/a><\/p>\n

Here in the Careers Service we are often told by students that they are feeling nervous because they have been invited for an \u201cinformal\u201d interview. This type of interview seems to be a growing trend, even during lockdown and especially for SMEs\/one off opportunities perhaps following a speculative letter or Linked In connection. So it got us thinking about why this might be\u2026and what you can do to feel more confident about this style of interview.<\/p>\n

Why do employers use informal interviews?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are lots of good reasons for recruiters to use informal interviewing as part of the overall process:<\/p>\n

\u2022 It\u2019s more cost effective\/easier to arrange than getting two or three interviewers together in a room<\/p>\n

\u2022 It gives the ultimate manager of the post holder the opportunity to get a feel for the real you and how you might\/not be good fit for their team culture<\/p>\n

\u2022 There might be more than one role they are considering you for \u2013 this approach can help them clarify which one is most appropriate or you would be most keen on. Sometimes the informal interview can even help them design the role around what you have to offer (technically known as a RESULT! ..)<\/p>\n

\u2022 They want you to have a relaxed and positive experience of their business and to have more time for a conversation around your questions to them, or..<\/p>\n

\u2022 It might just be that\u2019s the way they do business all the time -perhaps it\u2019s a start up where the entrepreneur got used to setting up his business from scratch in Starbucks.<\/p>\n

During this time of lockdown and social distancing sadly we can't expect to be invited to a lovely coffee shop, but virtual informal interviews are most definitely now \"A Thing\" and the majority of this advice is just applicable for these scenarios.<\/p>\n

How should I get ready for one?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The dictionary definitions of \u201cinformal\u201d include: without formality or ceremony, casual, relaxed, friendly, not serious and without planning. These last two can definitely lull you into a false sense of security. Whilst your informal interview after lockdown could well be held outside of the recruiter\u2019s office, say in a coffee shop, this doesn\u2019t mean that you can approach it as you would a brunch date with a friend. And of course currently you are more likely to be \"meeting\" the recruiter via a screen in your own kitchen.<\/p>\n

Showcasing your enviable transferable skills and engaging personality is the order of the day \u2013 you\u2019re there to make a good impression not a new friend. And that\u2019s not easy while munching on a doughnut\/your breakfast toast (cue jam on shirt incident) or slurping a frappuccino (ice cubes in your face trauma)or a pint of builders' tea in your favourite mug with a slightly dodgy slogan on the side.
\nHere are some do\u2019s and don\u2019ts when thinking about your prep for an informal interview\u2026.and yes you do have to prepare!<\/p>\n

Do<\/em><\/strong>
\n\u2022 Get 100% familiar with the job description and skills and experience they are looking for. It\u2019s likely your CV\/application and cover letter will have got you to this point \u2013 well done! Make sure you go through these carefully in advance to remind yourself of the reasons you said you wanted this job in this company. And take a couple of copies with you.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Do your background research on the interviewer. Use LinkedIn, social media and the company \u201cAbout Us\u201d pages to get a feel for their career and current position. Are they in the news for anything? Do they like surfing \u2013 just like you - or did they do something amazing on the volunteering front during the lockdown which has caught your eye? It\u2019s all useful intel\u2026..but be careful how you use it so that you avoid them feeling stalked.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Prepare to answer that \u201cTell me about yourself\u201d question
\nhttps:\/\/unihub.bath.ac.uk\/admin\/Videos\/Detail\/67. These days you are extremely likely also to be asked about what you have been doing during the Covid 19 crisis.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Prepare to answer that \u201c What are the strengths that you can offer us in this role?\u201d question
\nhttps:\/\/unihub.bath.ac.uk\/admin\/Videos\/Detail\/68<\/p>\n

\u2022 The \u201cWhy do you want to work for us?\u201d question is similarly a very likely one. Be convincing and demonstrate your genuine interest in what they do and how they do it. Know anyone who already works there? Now\u2019s the time to name drop (assuming you feel they are well respected!).<\/p>\n

\u2022 In fact\u2026.prepare to answer any question that you might also be asked at a \u201cformal\u201d interview. Remember, one employer\u2019s \u201cinformal chat\u201d might be another\u2019s in depth final assessment
\nhttps:\/\/unihub.bath.ac.uk\/s\/myfuture\/workflows\/detail\/17<\/p>\n

\u2022 Go armed with a handful of thoughtful and intelligent questions that you have for them. It\u2019s fine to have a paper based list to refer to. (And of course in lockdown you can have your notes and prompts open all over the table and they will be none the wiser). Don\u2019t forget this is a two-way process and you have a great opportunity here to do your \u201cdue diligence\u201d on the role, the company and your potential new boss. Here you can demonstrate that you have done your homework and that you are a serious contender. Listen carefully to their responses and don\u2019t be afraid to ask for clarification or examples of what they have laid out in their answer. This shows confidence and an ability to think on your feet.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t<\/strong><\/em>
\n\u2022 Dress too casually\u2026.but don\u2019t go suited and booted either. Tricky one this but it will really hit your confidence if you are \u201cunderdressed\u201d compared with the interviewer. Always better to be \u201cone notch up\u201d on the sartorial elegance scale! What are people wearing in the company\u2019s \u201ccasual\u201d website photos? Plain, clean and ironed are the general rules when it comes to the dreaded \u201csmart casual\u201d. Oh, and real shoes not trainers. Basically, not your lockdown wardrobe. Obviously if you are having a virtual interview it's the top half of your body only which will be visible!<\/p>\n

\u2022 Forget to double check the venue \u2013 are there more than one Costa\u2019s in that town? And if you are on a Zoom call from home make sure that you won't be disturbed by a flatmate seeking out cornflakes and that they aren't hijacking the wifi. That said, everyone is having to juggle domestic life with work these days so it's not a disaster if something goes slightly awry on the home front.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Cut it fine on your arrival time\/tech set-up time. Running from the station or struggling to find a parking space will not help your confidence or professional vibe. If you arrive way too early you can always wait at the caf\u00e9 up the road and revise your prep., thus being able to saunter coolly into the meeting place a minute before the allotted time. (But see doughnut warning above). And finally managing to open the link into the Zoom meeting five minutes late won't be a great start either. Better to \"arrive\" a little early into the \"waiting room\".<\/p>\n

\u2022 Order something complicated if you're actually in the Real World. Your usual skinny soy latte double decaf with cinnamon can wait until you are back at the station caf\u00e9\u2026Water? Tea?<\/p>\n

\u2022 Be over-formal with your body language. Sitting bolt upright will make you look wooden and odd. Hopefully you will soon relax into the conversation and be able to adopt a more natural..and yes informal\u2026stance. Oh, and smile!<\/p>\n

\u2022 Accept the job offer on the spot! It might sound unlikely\u2026but it does happen. Much more professional to look pleased and say thanks ; you will consider the exciting opportunity and when can you contact them tomorrow?<\/p>\n

Virtual informal interviews - a few other things
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

In terms of venue, play it as if it was a formal interview, so no lounging on your sofa or allowing the dog on your lap. Test in advance that your wifi and laptop are up to the job and that you have a meeting invite in your calendar so that you can just click on the link and get in to the meeting. Check out this lighthearted but useful video for more things to consider:https:\/\/unihub.bath.ac.uk\/admin\/Videos\/Detail\/34<\/a><\/p>\n

Final thoughts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Occasionally the person interviewing you might not be the key decision maker \u2013 they might not even be a very experienced interviewer and really are just having a friendly chat to see if you get along. The danger of this is that whilst it will have been a pleasant experience you haven\u2019t had the chance to showcase all of those relevant transferable skills and impressive experience. This is your chance to take control of the encounter - subtly - by weaving into the conversation some specific examples of your skills and attributes which are impressive and memorable. Rehearse this beforehand by drafting it out as a story you are telling a long lost friend who has asked you what you\u2019ve been up to. Then practice it into your phone recorder. That way if you get the opportunity on the day it will easily trip off the tongue.
\nBy the end of the interview you should be feeling that you have had a really positive and informative conversation and hopefully also a sense of whether you are still interested in the role. Oh, and no jam on your shirt.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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