During the recruitment of a new professional, you may need to go through many interviews. Your interview process may vary in length, with multiple stages, panels, telephone or video-based meetings. Taking the time to prepare for your interview may ensure that you move through the different stages with confidence and also increases your chance of receiving a job offer. In this article, we explain the interview process, highlight its key stages and discuss what you may expect to experience in a recruitment process. Explore jobs on Indeed Part-time jobs Full-time jobs Remote jobs Urgently needed jobs View more jobs on Indeed What is the interview process? The interview process is the step-by-step method used by employers to screen and select new hires. Although the requirements that make up the interview stages may vary according to the industry or the type of position you're applying for, the overall progression of the screening stage remains mostly the same. Related: How to prepare for an interview Key steps in the interviewing process You may need to go through the steps below when you apply for a job: A screening interview The screening interview process is a brief and targeted interview that is undertaken to ensure that you are qualified for the job that you have applied for. The interviewer will check that your formal qualifications, skills and experience match those in the job requirements so that you can proceed to the more in-depth stages. Screening interviews often take place in the form of a group interview or open interview at hiring events or job fairs. The phone interview If a pool of job applicants is large, hiring teams will use phone interviews to reduce the number of candidates that they will invite for an in-person interview. The rise of remote working has also meant that companies are more reliant on phone or video interviewing to establish the suitability of a candidate. In this step, you may talk about your experience and skills to a hiring manager. Related: Phone interview tips to get you to the next round The video interview Candidates are often invited to interview via Skype or other video conferencing platforms. This may also be used as the format for the main interview. Some applicants may be asked to participate in recorded video interviews. This format consists of candidates recording their responses to interview questions provided by the employer. The hiring team then reviews the videos. Skills assessment These may be necessary for the evaluation of essential practical or technical skills needed for a job. They may be in the form of a pass or fail test taken online or in the office. Another way of assessing candidates is by giving them an assignment, such as a piece of writing, that the hiring team will later analyse. Related: What is a skills assessment test and how is it used? A first interview The hiring manager usually does the first in-person interview. A first-stage interview focuses on a candidate's qualifications, employment history, and experience. If successful, the candidate will progress to another round of interviews with managers and staff members. The second interview This second, longer interview is offered to a select pool of suitable candidates and is more in-depth and exploratory. Hiring managers may lead this interview, but it is likely to also involve other staff members including the line management of the actual job. You may be required to show examples of your work or discuss a project you worked on in the past. Related: Common second interview questions (with example answers) A third interview If the competition between the remaining applicants is strong, a third interview may be needed to select the new employee. This is not common and may simply be used as an opportunity to take one more look at their new hire before offering the job. As part of this interview process, you may be brought into the workplace and given the opportunity to meet the team. Meeting in a restaurant This interview takes the form of a meeting over lunch or dinner. A hiring manager may choose to do this type of interview to learn more about your soft and interpersonal skills, observing how you act in a different, more relaxed setting. This interview may be critical for professions and jobs where you'll have to interact with clients. Related: How to practise rapport building (With tips and examples) Background checks The interview process may also include background and credit checks on the candidate. Failure to disclose information that comes up in these checks can lead to the withdrawal of a potential offer of employment. Certain highly sensitive roles may require a clean credit file as a condition of employment. Job offer The successful candidate will be provided with an offer of employment. It's usually at this stage that the terms of employment, including salary and benefits, are disclosed to you. If you receive a job offer, you need to study the contract and its con