Open job interviews, also called walk-in interviews, are interviews where companies accept all applicants who are interested, within a certain time range. This means that every applicant that walks in can have a job interview on the spot.
An open job interview is one of the practices companies usually adopt mostly when they’re in urgent need of staff. In most cases, they are for entry-level employees with qualifications ranging from high school to graduate degrees and have little or no work experience.
Open job interviews are mostly conducted immediately, unlike other types of job interviews where applicants are given individual interview appointments.
Learn more about entry-level and graduate interview questions and how to answer them!
How Do Open Job Interviews Work?
As simple as an open job interview may look, it is one of the most difficult and challenging types of job interviews you will ever come across.
Have it in mind that in open job interviews all applicants arrive at the venue of the interview the same day and at the same time, so you are sure to meet people who are likely to be competing with you for the same position.
Interviews may be held one on one or in a group with recruiters. At this stage, they always keep it brief and simple.
Important things to know about open job interviews
Below we discuss a couple of important things regarding open job interviews.
There is no pre-selection process
One interesting thing about open job interviews is that there is no pre-selection process, which means you are not selected before the interview based on the content of your CV or whatever criteria.
The interviews are first-come-first-serve
Arriving early at the venue of the interview is a great move in increasing your chances of securing the job. Also, open job interviews are 99.9% first-come-first-serve, meaning applicants will be attended to based on their order of arrival.
The interview process most times are in various phases
To ensure qualified applicants are selected and all available applicants partake in the interview exercise, the interview may be divided into various phases.
Preparing for open job interviews
When preparing for open job interviews, there are some things you ought to take note of, such as: when to arrive at the venue, what to put on, how to answer some tricky questions, what to carry along, and how long the exercises would last.
Just like any other interview, make sure you have answers prepared to frequently asked interview questions!
When to arrive at the venue
The major advantage of arriving early to the venue of the interview is that you get to relax, socialize with other applicants. Also, you are sure to be attended to early.
What to wear
Your first impression matters a lot; there is no official attire for open job interviews except on occasions where you are given a dress code; nevertheless, you should put on something that looks good and always makes sure you are dressed for the occasion.
Know how to answer some tough questions
During the interviewer, it’s likely that you will be asked a couple of tough interview questions. For example, ‘Why should we hire you instead of other applicants?‘It’s important that you are prepared to answer these questions to increase your chances of landing the job.
Learn more about tough interview questions and how to answer them!
How To Answer Open Job Interview Questions
Because you only have a short amount of time to make a strong impression during an open job interview, it’s important that you focus on the most important things. Below, we discuss a couple of points to take into consideration.
Answer the question in a way the interviewer expects you to
During an open job interview, you will get asked straightforward questions to assess your suitability. Therefore, ensure you provide the interviewer with an answer to help them assess your skills, abilities, and work experience.
If a question is unclear, you can always ask for clarification or paraphrase what was said to ensure you understood correctly.
Therefore, make sure you prepare for common job interview questions that you can expect during every interview.
Provide concisely and to the point answers
Interviewers do not have all the time in the world; without being told, you should know that many people are also waiting to be interviewed, so you shouldn’t beat about the bush when answering questions.
The major aim of most open job interviews is just to know how applicants relate and socialize with people.
Make sure you speak with a clear voice (not monotone!)
Communication in a job interview is key. Therefore, focus on speaking calmly to get your point across. Also, employers are interested in candidates who are able to work together in a team, which requires communication skills.
Learn more about communication job interview questions and how to answer them!
Maintain eye contact
Maintaining good eye contact with your interviewer tells a lot about your level of confidence. Non-verbal communication plays a major role in job interviews.
Finally, end the interview strong
For example, if the interviewer asks you if you have any questions, never say no. Asking questions back shows that you take the interview seriously and that you prepared well. Furthermore, it shows genuine interest. Also, interviews are supposed to be a two-way street, which means that you should ask questions back.
Learn more about asking questions back to interviewers and which smart questions to ask!
How To Follow-up On A Job Interview
This applies to all types of interviews. After a job interview, it’s common practice to follow up with a thank you letter.
How to write a follow-up letter
Below is an example of what a thank-you note could look like.
Dear [name of the interviewer],
Thank you again for taking the time to talk with me about the [job title] position and for giving me additional insights into the day-to-day responsibilities and duties involved. I sincerely enjoyed meeting with you and learning more about the position at [company name]. I am very interested in this position and the opportunity to join your team. Our conversation today confirmed that my interest in the role increased even more. I was impressed by the opportunity within the team, and the job seems to be an excellent match for my skills and interests.
With the team at such a critical point, I’d love to lend my experience and skills to help the team build a stronger customer base and social media presence – particularly bringing my unique views as a marketer that we discussed during my time working at several agencies. I feel enthusiastic about the possibility of joining the team and would greatly appreciate a follow-up as you move forward with the hiring process.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions or if you want me to provide you with any additional information. I look forward to hearing from you and hope that we will have another conversation soon.
Sincerely,
[Your name] [Your email address] [phone number]
Job Interview Topics – Common Job Interview Questions & Answers
Below, you can find a list of common job interview topics. Each link will direct you to an article regarding the specific topics that discuss commonly asked interview questions. Furthermore, each article discusses why the interviewer asks these questions and how you answer them!
- Accomplishments
- Adaptability
- Admission
- Behavioral
- Career Change
- Career Goals
- Communication
- Competency
- Conflict Resolution
- Creative Thinking
- Cultural Fit
- Customer Service
- Direct
- Experience
- Government
- Graduate
- Growth Potential
- Honesty & Integrity
- Illegal
- Inappropriate
- Job Satisfaction
- Leadership
- Management
- Entry-Level & No experience
- Performance-Based
- Personal
- Prioritization & Time Management
- Problem-solving
- Salary
- Situational & Scenario-based
- Stress Management
- Teamwork
- Telephone Interview
- Tough
- Uncomfortable
- Work Ethic
