What is an Informal Chat Interview and How to Prepare for One?

Mar 13, 2023

Have you got an upcoming informal chat interview? If so, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ll explain what an informal chat interview is, how to prepare for it, what to wear and ultimately how to impress the interviewer.

What is an informal chat interview?

An informal chat interview is a casual conversation between an interviewer and a candidate that is less structured and less formal compared to a traditional job interview. It is typically used to get to know the candidate in a more relaxed environment, to see if they would be a good fit for the company culture.

In an informal chat interview, the interviewer may ask you questions about your interests, hobbies, and background, as well as your experience and qualifications for the job. The conversation may include personal topics, such as your life and career goals and aspirations.

What stage of the Interview Process are they held?

Informal interviews are usually held at the beginning of the interview process, before the formal interviews that focus on your competencies and hard skills. However, informal interviews can be held at the end of the interview process before an offer is made. At smaller companies, it is not uncommon to have an informal interview or chat with the founder or CEO at the end of the interview process.

The aim of an informal chat interview is to allow both the candidate and the interviewer to gain a better understanding of each other and if the job and company is a good fit.

Is an informal interview a good sign?

An informal chat interview can be a good sign as it suggests that the interviewer is interested in getting to know you better and exploring whether you would be a good fit for the role and company.

While a traditional job interview may be more structured and focused on evaluating your skills and qualifications, an informal chat interview is more about getting to know you as a person and seeing how you would fit into the team dynamic.

If you have been invited to an informal chat interview, it means that the company is interested in you as a candidate and is considering you for the role. However, it is important to remember that an informal chat interview is just one step in the hiring process and does not guarantee that you will be offered the job.

An informal chat interview can also be a positive sign that you are moving forward in the hiring process, but it is important to remain professional during the informal chat and continue to prepare for the next steps in the application process.

Why are informal interviews beneficial to the employer?

Informal interviews can provide valuable information to interviewers that may not be available in a formal interview and can help to make the recruitment process more efficient and effective.

Here are some benefits to employers:

It helps to build rapport: Informal interviews provide an opportunity for the interviewer to establish rapport with the candidate. This can help to make the candidate feel more comfortable and subsequently make them more open with their responses.
It helps the interviewer to get to know you: Informal interviews can provide insights into the candidate’s personality, work style, and interests. This can help the interviewer determine if the candidate is a good fit for the company culture and the job.

As well as being competent to do the job well. The interviewer wants to know if you will be an interesting and likeable person to work with. Feel free to share your hobbies and interests to show that you are a well-rounded individual with a healthy work-life balance.
It can uncover additional information: Informal interviews can provide additional information that may not have come up in a formal interview, such as the candidate’s hobbies or interests. This can help the interviewer to get a more well-rounded picture of the candidate personally as well as professionally.
It can help to save time: Informal interviews can be used as a pre-screening tool, similar to a telephone interview, to determine if a candidate is worth inviting for a formal interview. This can help to save time by eliminating candidates who are not a good fit for the company or the job.

How should I prepare for an informal chat interview?

Preparing for an informal chat interview is important, even though it may be less formal than a traditional job interview.

Here are some tips to help you prepare:

Research the company: Review the company’s website, social media channels, and any news articles to learn about its culture, values, and goals.

Review the job description: Make sure you understand the requirements of the position and how your skills and experience match up with what they are looking for.

Prepare for personal questions: Think about your interests, hobbies, and career goals so you are prepared to answer any personal questions the interviewer may ask.

Practice answering common interview questions: Even though an informal chat interview may be less structured, it’s still a good idea to practice answering common interview questions.

Prepare questions to ask the interviewer: Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer about the company and the position to show your interest in the company and the role.

Dress appropriately: Although an informal chat interview may be more casual than a traditional job interview, you should still dress appropriately and professionally.

Arrive on time: Make sure you arrive on time or be ready for the scheduled time if it’s an informal video interview.
Get interview coaching: Getting interview coaching is the best way to not only prepare for an interview but to also practice responding to interview questions.

What are some examples of questions asked at an informal chat interview?

Since informal chat interviews are less structured and more casual than traditional job interviews, the questions asked may vary depending on the interviewer and the position.

Here are some examples of questions that may be asked during an informal chat interview:

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
What inspired you to apply for this position?
What is your favourite thing about working in this industry?
What do you consider to be your greatest strength?
How do you handle stress or difficult situations at work?
What is your ideal work environment?
How do you prioritize your tasks and manage your time effectively?
What is your experience working in a team environment?
Where do you see yourself in five years?

Remember, these are just examples and the questions may vary depending on the interviewer and the position. The goal of an informal chat interview is to get to know the candidate on a more personal level and see if they would be a good fit for the company culture.

Questions to ask in an informal interview

Remember, an informal interview is typically less structured than a formal one, so you might also ask follow-up questions based on the conversation.

This can help you gain a better understanding of the company and position and also show that you are engaged and interested.

One of the main reasons people fail interviews is not asking the interviewer the right questions.

Here are some examples of questions you can ask during an informal chat interview.

What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this role?
What do you think are the most important qualities for someone to succeed in this position?
How do you see this position evolving over time?
Why has this position opened up within the company?
What will I have been expected to achieve in the first 6 months?
Can you tell me more about the team I’ll be working with?
How does the company support the professional development of its employees?
Can you tell me more about the company’s culture and values?
How does the company encourage work-life balance?
Can you describe any upcoming projects or initiatives that the company is working on?
What do you like most about working for this company?
Is there anything else I can provide to further demonstrate my fit for this role?

What to wear to an informal chat interview?

For an informal chat interview, it’s important to dress comfortably but presentably, while also keeping in mind the company’s culture and the job.

Here are som tips to consider when deciding what to wear:

Dress comfortably, but avoid wearing anything too casual. Gym clothes, shorts, or flip-flops are a no-no.

Consider the job position and company culture when deciding what to wear. For example, if you’re interviewing for a creative or startup company, you may have more leeway with your clothing choices, whereas if you’re interviewing for a corporate position, you may want to dress more formally.

Keep accessories and makeup simple and understated.

Pay attention to grooming, such as having clean hair and nails and avoiding overpowering perfumes or aftershaves.

Tip: aim to strike a balance between comfort and professionalism, while keeping in mind the company culture and job position. If you are unsure of what to wear have a look at the company website and see what employees are wearing in company photos for inspiration.

How to impress at an informal chat interview?

Here are some tips on how to impress at an informal chat interview:

Be yourself: An informal chat interview is an opportunity for the interviewer to get to know you as a person. Be authentic, personable, empathetic and enthusiastic.

Show interest in the company: Show that you have done your research on the company and the industry. Ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the company and the role.

Demonstrate your knowledge: Showcase your knowledge and experience in the field by discussing relevant topics, sharing your thoughts on industry trends, or describing successful projects you have worked on.

Highlight your soft skills: Soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability, are important in any job. Show how you have used your soft skills in previous roles and how they will be an asset to the company. If you do not have any work experience, talk about your extracurricular activities, hobbies or other life experiences that have helped you to develop your skills.
Be prepared: Make sure you are prepared for the interview by reviewing the job description, researching the company, and practising your answers to common interview questions.
Structure your answers: Responding to the interviewer’s questions in a clear, structured way will help you to get your points across and demonstrate your verbal communication skills. Use the STAR interview technique as a framework to structure your responses.

If your mind goes blank, or you do not know how to respond to a question, ask clarifying questions and respond to the best of your ability, remember, this is an informal discussion, so feel free to ask follow-up questions to gain more clarity instead of making assumptions.

Be positive: Stay positive and enthusiastic throughout the interview. Avoid negative comments about previous employers or experiences. Demonstrate that you have a growth mindset, and are keen to continually learn and develop your skills with a can-do attitude.

Follow up: After the interview, send a thank you email to the interviewer expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to chat with them.

What should I expect at an informal chat interview?

At an informal chat interview, you can expect a more relaxed and casual conversation compared to a traditional job interview.

Here are some things you may expect at an informal chat interview:

Casual environment: Unlike a traditional interview setting, an informal chat interview may take place in a more casual setting, such as a coffee shop or over the phone.

Personal questions: The interviewer may ask you more personal questions, such as your interests, hobbies, and aspirations, to get a better sense of who you are as a person.

Cultural fit: The interviewer may ask you questions about your work style and how you would fit into the company culture.

Opportunity to ask questions: An informal chat interview is also an opportunity for you to ask the interviewer questions about the company, the position, or the hiring process.

Shorter time frame: An informal chat interview may be shorter than a traditional job interview and may not cover all the topics that a formal interview would cover.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, informal interviews can be a valuable tool in the hiring process. They provide a more relaxed and casual environment for the candidate and interviewer to get to know each other and discuss the job and company.

Informal interviews can provide insights into the candidate’s personality, and interests, and can help to determine if they are a good fit for the company culture, job and industry.

They can also help to save time by eliminating candidates who are not a good fit before inviting them for a formal interview.

It’s important to keep in mind that even though an informal interview may be more relaxed, it’s still a professional setting and candidates should still prepare and present themselves in a professional manner. Likewise, interviewers should treat informal interviews as an opportunity to gain insights into the candidate’s fit for the position and the company.

Informal interviews can be a valuable tool in the hiring process when used appropriately and can help to make the hiring process more efficient and effective for both the candidate and the interviewer.

Featured image: Alexander Suhorucov Pexels