Handling an Informal Interview Effectively

An informal interview is a selection method that involves a casual setting, which differentiates it from a formal interview that takes place in settings such as company boardrooms. Employers may use this interview type to find out if a candidate suits a job opening, determine an individual’s interest in joining the company, or evaluate if a position can be created for an applicant. These meetings can take place at the start or end of the hiring process. The surroundings for these events involve locations that are usually reserved for social activities, such as restaurants and coffee shops.

Learn more: The Ultimate Job Interview Preparation Guide

Consider the following informal interview features and tips to boost your pre-interview, interview, and post-interview performance:

Benefits of an informal interview

There are several benefits in being requested to participate in this interview type, such as:

• It’s less stressful than a formal interview. Due to the casual setting, this kind of interview may cause less stress in candidates when compared with interviewing on company premises. For candidates who are more authentic and relaxed in casual gatherings, interviewing informally can be an effective way to reduce stress and improve performance.
• It’s easier to be yourself. An informal interview can give an employer a better chance to gain insights on your personality traits than a formal interview because it takes place in a social environment. You can use this meeting to show the recruiter your soft skills that suit the company culture, such as your drive to succeed, reliability, empathy, and positivity.
• It can help you make valuable professional contact. In an informal interview, both the interviewer and interviewee are required to contribute to the conversation by asking questions and maintaining the dialogue. Due to the lack of formality in the setting, this interview type can improve your chances of developing a professional relationship with your interviewer. Making an effort to cultivate this contact could help your career in the long term as it could lead to a letter of recommendation, other job opportunities, or industry insights.
• It’s easier to handle difficult topics. Employers are likely to opt for informal interviews because they make it easier to get employee insights on challenging topics that require less structured answers. For example, this interview type can be used by the hiring manager to find out whether a professional is genuinely interested in a position or whether a proposed salary is significantly below expectations.

Risks of an informal interview

Informal interviews carry several risks that candidates should manage effectively, such as:

• It’s easy to forget you’re being evaluated. Due to the casual setting used for an informal interview, a job applicant can easily lapse into behavior that is normally used during a social event held in that location. However, despite the lack of formality, the hiring manager will evaluate you based on what you say and do. You can manage this risk by remembering you’re participating in an important step in the hiring process and maintaining professional behavior throughout the event.
• It’s easy to overshare. As this interview type is usually less stressful and more enjoyable than a formal meeting, a candidate can accidentally share too much information on sensitive or controversial topics. You can address this risk by using your active listening skills to understand each interview question, making a relevant response without forgetting you’re being interviewed, and avoiding spontaneous speech.
• The opportunities to highlight your qualifications are less obvious. Due to the unstructured method in which an informal interview is held, interview subjects have fewer chances to highlight their skills and achievements when compared to a formal interview. You can manage this risk by being proactive, searching for cues from the interviewer to share information, and communicating what you have to offer when you spot an opportunity to do so.

Learn more: The Ultimate Guide to Analyzing a Company’s Glassdoor Page

Tips to prepare for an informal interview

When invited for an informal interview, use the following tips to prepare:

• Learn about the employer. You will be expected to make an effort to contribute to the conversation during the interview. To handle this informal interview feature, it’s best to research the business, including current competitors, challenges, and achievements, before the interview. Next, develop a list of open-ended questions you can ask the hiring manager which indicate your knowledge of the company and motivation to work there.
• Prepare for interview questions. While an informal interview is less structured than a formal one, you should be prepared to answer standard interview questions. For example, get ready to answer questions on your long-term career goals, professional strengths or skills, and examples in which you added value while working for a previous employer. You can develop answers to these question and practice your delivery before the interview, so you make confident replies.
• Identify how you can contribute to the company. It’s important to communicate how you can add value to the employer during your meeting. Use your company research and knowledge of your abilities to identify how you can contribute to the team before the interview and share this information at the meeting.
• Handle logistics. It’s essential to be at the interview location on time because this indicates your organization and work ethic. You will need to find out where you’re meeting the interviewer, how to get there, and the interview time ahead of the meeting.
• Bring resume copies. Print a few hard copies of your resume and bring them to the interview, so you can refer to this document if necessary.

Learn more: What to Look for When Researching a Company: A Complete Checklist

Tips for informal interview performance

Improve your performance at an informal interview with the following tips:

• Dress appropriately. Choose attire that is appropriate for both the venue and the interview. Opting for business casual clothing, which is freshly washed and ironed, is the best choice for an informal meeting.
• Do not offer to pay. During an informal interview, the hiring manager pays the tab, so simply thank them when they pay.
• Be professional. Remember to avoid unprofessional speech or actions. Demonstrate your interest in getting the job, and thank the hiring manager for the opportunity at the end of the interview

Learn more: How to Ace Your Next Interview

Tips for after an informal interview

After your informal interview, use the following tips to improve the impression you made on the hiring manager:

• Send a thank-you email. Many employers hold informal interviews to gauge a candidate’s interest in working for them, so if you want the job, it’s important to communicate your interest promptly. Send a thank-you email with an innovative subject line to the recruiter after completing the meeting. In this communication, restate your interest in getting the job and express your appreciation for the opportunity.
• Provide any necessary information to address employer concerns. If the hiring agent voiced concern during the informal interview about your skill set or training, make sure to supply them with any necessary information to resolve this promptly via email.
• Work on maintaining a relationship with the hiring manager. When you follow up via email, keep the conversation open by mentioning a key topic discussed during the interview, making an offer to connect with the hiring manager via professional platforms, and indicating your interest in building a professional relationship. Developing this contact can lead to an employment opportunity in the future even if you do not immediately get a job.

Tips for an informal video interview

You can use the following tips to prepare for an informal video interview:

• Get the necessary details to meet online. You will need to know the time, online platform, and other recruiter details to connect with the hiring agent on the internet.
• Dress suitably. As this meeting is a part of the selection process, dress well in business casual attire.
• Test your computer equipment. Before the interview, test your software and hardware for any glitches and make any necessary changes.
• Contribute to having a professional interview. If you’re meeting via video conferencing platform, make sure your background is free of clutter and other people. Try to conduct the meeting in a quiet area of your home.