Open Interview: Nailing It and Getting Hired on the Spot

Before starting to prepare for a job interview, you need to know what type of interview it is so that you can be well-prepared. There are many types of interviews that serve different scenarios, depending on what employers are looking to assess such as behavioral interview, case interview, competency-based interview, group interview, panel interview, etc. 

In this article, we'll take a closer look at walk-in interviews, which are open to the public as part of events like a hiring event or a job fair. By understanding how it works as well as what to wear to an open interview, you might find yourself getting hired on the spot.

An open interview, aka a walk-in job interview, takes place when a candidate meets with the hiring manager without having to go through a formal selection process which typically include ones that the appointments need to be made. However, you may need to wait for your turn, as in an open interview, there are other candidates also attending for the same role.

In general, employers like this type of job interview because they can easily tell whether or not you’re interested in this job. They can also get to know “the real you” quickly, not just the professional side revealed through the usual application. Interviews on the spot are especially ideal for mass hiring such as hiring for salesmen or call center associates. 

As a candidate, you will likely feel less stress when joining a walk-in interview compared to other interview types. Especially for those with limited or no work experience, it's hard for you to compete with experienced professionals if you all go through a formal recruitment process.

The process of open interviews is simple: all of the applicants who’re interested in the same job will show up at the same time, place, and get interviewed on the spot. The company will schedule one at a specific date and time. Applicants can bring their resumes, cover letters, or portfolios with them on that day.

Just like an informal meet-and-greet session, walk-in interviews are quite brief and can take place either in a group or individually. After that, ideal candidates may be offered the job or proceed to a second interview at a later date.

Two most common scenarios in interviewing on the spot include:

1. During a block of time: Walk-in interviews are held for seasonal employment or by companies looking to fill multiple vacancies of the same role at once.
2. At a hiring event: This event is a special opportunity for you to meet employers face to face as they are in town for a short period of time, specifically to hire. They normally specify what they expect from you during open interviews prior to the event date such as:

• How early should you show up for the interview?
• What to wear to the open interview
• What documents will you need to show hiring managers?

Whether or not it's required to present necessary documents to employers, it's highly recommended to do so in a walk-in interview. This is to help employers gain a clearer picture and ensure the accuracy of the information you’ve presented, while also evaluating if you're an ideal candidate. 

Also, aside from a pen and notepad for taking notes, the following are the important documents you must bring with you to the open interview.

Resume/CV

Serving as job application documents, both resume and CV is a tool to briefly introduce who you are, summarize your work experience, and highlight your professional skills.

What to include in a resume/CV:

• Personal information (full name, phone number, email address, etc.)
• Career goals & personal statement 
• Employment history
• Education 
• Technical & soft skills 
• Others (certifications, languages, references, etc.)

Note that in some countries like the U.S. and Canada, CVs are used only for academic applications such as  academic jobs and research fellowships. Check out this article for more info!

Having a top-notch resume/CV, using the best free resume builder, will help you catch up on the competition and secure the job, especially when you don't have a lot of time to express yourself during a walk-in interview. However, the question is how to make it stand out among a bunch of applicants showing up on that day. 

Here are 5 tips to increase your chances of getting hired on the spot with a strong resume/CV:

• Add figures and results 
• Include some endorsements
• Put your hard skills into focus
• Exclude irrelevant information like personal details and part-time jobs
• Avoid black-and-white design with only text

Cover letter

Even though a cover letter is not always required to send along with a resume/CV, you should consider submitting them together. A resume/CV states the facts - who, what, when, and how, whereas a cover letter provides additional information to impress employers better, including: 

• Why are you interested in this job?
• What do you know about the company? 
• How have you acquired substantial knowledge, experience, and skills during your career? 
• How will these help you in the new role?
• What value will you bring to the potential employer? 

Normally, you will need to tailor your cover letter for the specific job, but it’s impossible to do so prior to an open interview. Don’t panic - a compelling self introduction and summary of your qualifications will pique the hiring manager’s interest from the beginning.

Portfolio

There are certain careers where you will likely be asked to present a portfolio, such as: 

• Artist 
• Model
• Photographer
• Writer / Content Creator 
• Graphic Designer
• Website Designer
• Interior Designer
• Videographer
• UX/UI Designer
• Fashion Designer

A professional portfolio is an excellent way to showcase your works to employers while demonstrating what you are capable of. It’s recommended to prepare both a hard copy and a digital file to present in your open interview. Have a hard time crafting one? Let we be your portfolio maker’s best friend. 

Additional documents

To support your candidacy, consider showing any of the following documents if you have one:

• Reference letter from previous employers
• Certificate
• Work samples
• Educational transcripts, if you're looking for internships
• Letter of recommendation from your professor & diploma, if you're a fresh graduate

Each type of job interview requires different tactics and strategies. We've put together a list of useful tips for nailing multiple types of traditional interviews in this article.  

Now, let's dig deeper into acing your open interview at the next job fair!

1. Dress properly

First impressions matter. There are many studies indicating that your appearance says more about you than you can imagine. Though walk-in interviews are more casual, keep in mind that what to wear to an open interview should present yourself in a professional manner and leave a good first impression. 

In general, appropriate attire for job interviews includes nice pants and a plain shirt with a collar for men. Showing up in a suit is not quite a good idea for such casual events as open interviews. For women, be careful with your makeup, jewelry, and strong perfumes. You’re at a hiring event, not a concert or festival.

2. Show up early for the walk-in interview

For all types of job interviews, you should be there 10-15 minutes before the start time according to career experts. Punctuality is one of the keys in open interviews because there's a line of applicants waiting to be interviewed by hiring managers. Therefore, you should arrive as early as you can.

3. Research the company

Doing so will help you learn about what the company does and what they’re seeking in a candidate. Showing your knowledge about this part can also make you stand out from the crowd. Nowadays, you can find any information regarding the company on Google. Also, company websites and social media profiles are the go-to platforms to get an insight into their day-to-day operations and organizational culture.

4. Prepare for common interview questions

Interviews on the spot may be shorter than traditional interviews and it is very likely that you’ll be asked common interview questions such as:

• Tell me a little bit about yourself. 
• What are your greatest strengths?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• What about this role interests you? 
• Why should we hire you?

Besides that, it's important to prepare some questions to ask employers at the hiring event. Doing so will promote a positive dialogue and also help you decide if the role is right for you.

What to ask employers during a walk-in interview:

• Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role?
• What are the biggest challenges of this job?
• What skills do you value the most?
• Is overtime expected?
• How would you describe the company culture?

5. Send a thank you email after the open interview

Demonstrating your professionalism puts you one step closer to being selected for the job. Especially when you didn’t perform well in your walk-in interview, a sincere thank-you email might make employers reconsider and offer you a second chance. 

This is also a great way to remind them once again of your qualifications and follow up after the interview.

Let's sum up what we’ve discussed in this article!

• What does an open interview mean?
  An event where applicants have the chance to speak with an employer without having to go through an initial screening process as usual.

• Are open interviews worth it?
  Yes! You can get hired on the spot if doing it right - be confident, proactive, professional, and well-prepared. Even if you can’t, you can learn a lot from attending a job fair and having an on-spot interview with hiring managers.
  

• How early should you show up for an interview?
  Around 10-15 minutes. As a sign of professionalism, punctuality helps draw you as a reliable and trustworthy employee. Also, you will have more time for your preparation when showing up early.

--- Originally written by May Luong ---