How long should an interview be?

Interviewing candidates is a crucial part of every company, as well as for an applicant. The interview is a mutual session between a candidate and interviewer. It is efficient and essential for both aspects. Well, every candidate prepares especially for the it as they try their best to achieve the same. Are you aware, how long should it be, and what segments does it include? Well, here we go with the same, to inform you regarding everything about it. Also, here, we’ll know how long should an interview be?

How long should an ideal interview last?

The maximum time limit is different for different interviews. For example, suppose you will give an interview to work as an employee in any company. In that case, the discussion lasts for about 15 to 20 minutes. However, if you want to become a manager, then an ideal interview for a manager job takes about 20 to 25 minutes. To become CA, a candidate has to give an interview of about 15 to 25 minutes. The perfect interview for an entrepreneur’s post lasts for about 20 minutes. Well, every interview has its time limit. It may vary for a particular candidate, depending on the interviewer, how much time he takes to judge the applicant, and his proficiency for the job.  So, let’s talk about the particular period of an interview. Of course, it is not possible to guess as there are different periods for every discussion. But, it is assured that no interview can last for more than 20 to 25 minutes as an interviewer takes a little time to judge the applicant. 

Types of interview and their time limits

In between the hiring process of a particular candidate, there are some formal steps that an interviewer of a company generally takes. These steps include,

1. Phone Interview – Undoubtedly, mobile phones have made life easier and happier. Interviewers use this technology to confirm the basic details of your resume. They may also ask you about the joining dates and details like the environment you might feel comfortable working in. This interview lasts for about 10- to 20 minutes, where the interviewer asks about you.
2. In-Person Interview – This interview lasts quite long, as it asks you to perform the job, and interviewers check your capability, whether you are eligible for the same or not. Apart from this, This interview generally lasts for about 45 minutes to one hour or more. It depends on the candidate for the type of job he might be searching for. It may also take a full day, depending on the position of the candidate.
3. Video Interviews – These interviews are like phone interviews. It’s just some companies take it on a video call rather than on a phone call. They ask specific questions about the candidate itself in this. They may also ask you about the joining dates and details like the environment you might feel comfortable working in. This interview lasts for about 10- to 20 minutes, where the interviewer asks about you.
4. Technical Interview – This interview is generally for engineers and other candidates who want a job under the technical section. It includes various things and tasks that an applicant needs to perform. It lasts for about 45 minutes to one hour or more. 
5. Group Interview – It includes the complete interview in a group. Several candidates sit in front of the interviewer to complete the hiring process. This interviewer asks questions from each candidate and judges them accordingly. 
6. Open Hiring Interview – This includes open hiring. This lasts for about 30 minutes. The best part of this interview is that the candidate doesn’t need to wait for long and gets the result immediately, as per his performance.

So, these were some interview types with the time limits that generally take place in every company. From the source of information, it has come to our knowledge that people usually have misconceptions about the period for which an interview lasts. 

Misconceptions regarding interview time limits

• Is a 20 Minutes Interview A Bad Sign? Well, it’s an absolute myth that a 20 minutes interview is a bad sign. Well, generally, the interview lasts for about 25 minutes. That’s why people take a 20 minutes interview as a bad sign. However, it isn’t a bad sign.
• Is A 15 Minutes Interview A Bad Sign? Well, it may sound that a 15-minute interview is a bad sign, as people thought that the interviewer might have taken you as the wrong candidate. Still, we don’t know what the interviewers have in their minds, so maybe it’s a coincidence that the interviewer took a short interview.
• Is A 30 Minute Interview A Good Sign? Absolutely. A 30-minute interview is undoubtedly a good sign; after all, the interviewer takes a lot of time while taking the interview. He might indeed have seen something good in you that attracted him. He tries to grab more information from you.

So, these are some basic interview myths that people have in mind.

How Long Should Your Interview Answer Be?

The answer to any question should lie between 30 seconds to 2 minutes. In case it’s a behavioral question, the answer must be from 3 to 3.5 minutes. Apart from this, a confidential solution must be of 1 minute to 2 minutes only. You must ensure that you give the answers confidently and do not blink your eyes while providing the solutions. Also, make sure you maintain eye contact with the interviewer while answering.

How Should You Answer, ‘Why Should We Hire You?’

This question is quite simple and complicated at the same time. Well, it has a sophisticated and straightforward answer. To answer this question, you must include the following things in your response,

1. Show The Skills You Have – The most crucial thing that arrives, if you are asked to answer the question, Why we hire you, you must tell them what skills you inherit. You must describe how wonderful you are in those skills. It would be great if you have certificates of the same, as it may give results in your favor.
2. Highlight That You’ll Give A Great Contribution To the Company – Make sure that you highlight that you would be perfect for the job. Mention that you will add many beneficial things to the company and confidently contribute to the company.
3. Describe how hiring you will make their life easier – Make sure that you hit the perfect spot by mentioning that their life would be easier if they hire you. You must make sure that you tell them how great it would be if they hire you for the job. 
4. Make Sure To Mention About Your Portfolio – Your portfolio is the most potent weapon you have for an interview. You must mention your portfolio and tell them that your work is itself the great answer to why they should hire you. You must be confident in your work while showing the portfolio.

So, these are the things that you must include to answer the respective question, to give a well efficient answer.

An excellent answer to a question must be,

Well, before answering, I would like it if you would go through my portfolio once and have a look at my work. I am sure you’ll like it. Also, I am experienced in terms of this job as I have worked as an intern in various companies. You can see the certificates of the same. Also, I assure you that you’ll indeed like my work as I will work with my complete dedication.

What Should You Never Say In An Interview?

Well, you must take care of some words that you must never say while giving an interview. The description of the same is given below.

1. Yes! – Yes!, the word seems optimistic. However, it may act negatively for you when it’s used in the interview. Well, the word ‘Yes!’ demonstrates your state of being nervous in front of the interviewer. We all become nervous at such points, but you must take care not to depict it on your face to have a great interview ahead.
2. ‘It’s On My Resume’ – ‘It’s On My Resume’ is another negative sentence that you often use while giving an interview. Sometimes the interrogator asks the questions you might have mentioned in the resume; well, it’s perfect that you said. Still, you must explain the same answer again in front, as the interviewer might like to know more about it. 
3. ‘I’ll Do Whatever’ – The questioner might ask you about the work you are comfortable in. But, you answer ‘I’ll Do Whatever,’ well actually this is not the answer. This shows your overconfidence in front of the interrogator. In place of this, you must tell them about the environment you like to work in and about the work you are comfortable working in.
4. ‘I Know I Don’t Have Much Experience’ – This is another negative phrase that you often use to impress the judge; however, it negatively impacts you. Well, you must tell your working experience with absolute confidence and tell them about your work there. If you don’t have any experience, you don’t need to mention the experience before you are not asked to. 
5. ;…..; – Of course, these are not words, but that’s what you do. You become silent sometimes when you are asked a tricky question. Well, in such a case you must tell something, maybe about your work and all. But, it would be best to keep quiet for that immediate moment, as that may sound negative in the interviewer’s eye.

Well, these are some words that must not be used whenever you are in an interview. They may turn things upside down and may hurt the person sitting in front of you.

What Should You Do Before Interview?

Before the interview, you must perform some steps to positivity about yourself when you enter the interview room. 

1. Stay Calm – At first, you must stay calm and relax. Make sure that you leave all the books and preparation materials before one hour of the interview. It would be best if you took care that you feel relaxed and open-minded. Make sure to take a good shower before going for the interview as it calms you down and you do not feel the tension in the surrounding.  
2. Stop Rehearsing – You must stop rehearsing at least 2 hours before the interview as it will confuse you all around, and you’ll feel a downfall in your preparation. You must ensure that you don’t become nervous about the interview as it will surely break everything apart.
3. Focus On Your Posture – Take care that you focus on the way you are standing and walking. Make sure that you are standing straight and walking perfectly. Make sure that you sit directly as your posture describes many things about you.
4. Arrive 15 Minutes Early – You must arrive 15 minutes before your interview time, but make sure that you do not go inside. You must go before 5 minutes and behave nicely to all until your turn arrives.
5. Make Sure To Involve Required Papers – Make sure you involve every paper and every necessary certificate and leave for an interview. It doesn’t look fine that you left an important document at home.

Conclusion

An interview is an excellent part of life; you must perform it by giving 100% of your potential and have a great experience ahead. All the best!