Interviewing is not a science. Nor is it an art form. It is simply an imperfect form of human communication designed to increase the predictive validity of potential employer-employee relationships.
There are eight common topics for discussion during an interview:
Credentials
To place objective measurements on features of your background. This type of question includes, “What was your GPA?” and “How long were you at “ABC” University? Why did you select this university?”
Experience
To subjectively evaluate features of your background. An example would be, “What were your responsibilities in that position?”
Opinion
To subjectively analyze how you would respond in a series of scenarios. This type of question includes, “What would you do in this situation?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
Competence
To align your past behaviors with specific competencies, which are required for the position. The interviewer might say the following, "Can you give me a specific example of your leadership skills?" and "Explain a way in which you sought a creative solution to a problem."
Math Logic
To evaluate not only your math skills, but also your creative ability in formulating the mathematical formula for providing an answer (or estimate, as can often be the case). This type of question could range from, "What is 1000 divided by 69?" to "How many golf Balls could fit in a KIA?"
Problem Resolution
To evaluate your problem-solving abilities and how you would analyze and work through potential case situations. This type of question includes, "How many gas stations are there in Japan?" and "What is your estimate of the global online retail market for books?"
Common Knowledge
To get past your pre-programmed answers to find out if you are capable of an original thought. There is not necessarily a right or wrong answer, since it is used primarily to test your ability to think on your feet. This type of question includes, “What kind of animal would you like to be?” and “What color best describes you?”
Behavior
To anticipate future behaviors based upon past behaviors. This type of question includes, “Can you give me a specific example of how you did that?” and “What were the steps you followed to accomplish that task?”
