1-on-1 Interviews

1-on-1 interviews are interviews that are in person and occur between one interviewer and the interviewee.  The format of these interviews is typically rather straight-forward, and this style tends to be more of what applicants are expecting when called in for an interview.

This style of interviewing is typically more convenient for an employer than having to coordinate schedules for multiple people to sit in on an interview.  Some employers may also conduct interviews with multiple parts (panel, presentation, 1-on-1, tour, etc.).  If an interview has multiple parts, it is also common for one segment to be a 1-on-1 interaction with whomever may be the direct supervisor over the position they are hiring for or someone who is above the supervisory level for the open position.

Tips for navigating a 1-on-1 Interview:

  1. Avoid making constant eye contact.  Remember that it is okay to look away from time to time when trying to come up with a response to a question.
  2. If you are uncomfortable making eye contact regularly, try focusing in the middle of the interviewer’s forehead or practicing interviewing ahead of time to make yourself more comfortable in the setting.
  3. Make sure to practice good nonverbal communication.  Become aware of any fidgeting, leg bouncing, etc. that you may do when in a less comfortable environment.  The best way to become aware is to practice!  Reach out to the Career and Advising Center at 701-231-7167 to schedule a mock interview.
  4. Try to learn about your interviewer in advance.  Take the time to look them up on the company website, LinkedIn, search for articles or blogs they may have written, and so on.  This can help you to relate some of your answers as well as help you to develop some questions for them at the end of the interview.
  5. Since there is only one interviewer, try to gauge their conversation style early and make the interview more conversational.  Make sure you are getting to know them in a professional sense as well, and avoid making any comments about or asking any questions about their personal life outside of work.