What is a typical interview structure?
Although there is no set rule, a typical interview is scheduled for about one half-hour to an hour, and will include several phases. The first phase is an icebreaker, a few minutes of pleasant conversation so that you and the interviewer will feel comfortable with each other. Then the interviewer will get into some substantive questions, behavioral questions, and questions about your background. This will be the bulk of the interview and lasts anywhere from 15 to 50 minutes. An employer will usually leave 5 to 10 minutes for you to ask questions. That’s a very important part of the interview and you should be prepared for it. Then there’ll be a close. The interviewer will thank you for coming in. You’ll have the opportunity to tell the interviewer what a pleasure it was to be there and how much you want the job. Usually, you’ll have to interview a second time, perhaps even a third time before getting a job offer.
