How to Handle an Informal Interview

Have you ever applied for a job, or had an interview or two, and then been invited for an ‘informal chat’? Informal interviews are becoming a more popular part of recruitment processes. But what exactly are they, how are they different from normal interviews and how should you prepare for one? Here’s how to handle an informal interview.

What are informal interviews?

Firstly, don’t forget that even if the recruiter calls it a ‘chat’ or a ‘meeting’, an informal interview is still an interview. It’s just one that’s likely to take place somewhere more neutral, like a coffee shop, than a formal interview setting. However, in the charity sector, claiming expenses can be stricter. So the recruiter may still invite you into the office for an informal interview or chat or arrange a video call.

Informal interviews have become more common over the last few years, as being more ‘relaxed’ in a work environment has become more normal. They are more likely to take place at the beginning or end of a recruitment process, when an organisation is either doing an initial screening to decide whether to take you forward or making their final decision after the formal stages.

They might ask you to meet with other members of the team or invite you for a chat to find out more about the role. This could also happen if they’re considering you for more than one opportunity, so they can work out which would be the best match for you.

How is an informal interview different from a formal interview?

You may be wondering what to expect at an informal interview. It’s likely to be more of a conversational format than a formal one. This means you’ll have the opportunity to ask more questions. You should prepare a mental list of things to ask and have some relevant topics of conversation in your back pocket.

An informal interview should feel less pressured than a normal interview situation. The recruiter may ask you more about your life outside work and your motivation for the role. You may also see more of the hiring manager’s personality in a more casual environment. This can be useful for assessing whether they’re someone you feel you can work closely with.

What to wear for an informal interview

Not sure what to wear to an informal interview? You don’t need to dress as smart as you would for a formal interview, but you should still make an effort to be smart casual. Aim to dress as if you were working in the charity’s office for a day.

How to prepare for an informal interview

Make sure you clarify the time and location of the interview, especially if it isn’t at the charity’s office. Take some money, in case you need to pay for any refreshments. Recruiters will usually cover this, but it’s good to be prepared to prevent any embarrassment.

Essentially you should prepare as you would for a formal interview. If your meeting is online, then check which platform it’s using—such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom—and that this works beforehand.

You should research the charity, re-read the job description and person specification and rehearse your answers to standard interview questions. Be ready to talk about your strengths and why you’re a great fit for the role. It also might be helpful to take your CV along to refer to if needed.

For an informal interview, it’s particularly important to read the charity’s website thoroughly and prepare some questions about recent projects or initiatives. You should also think carefully about answers to more general and abstract questions, such as ‘tell me about yourself’, ‘what particularly interests you about this role’, and ‘where do you see yourself in five years’ time?’

Think about what you’d like to find out about the company and the role and prepare some questions to ask. This is your chance to gather as much information as you can, so you can decide if you want to accept the role, if you’re offered it.

Practice active listening—the questions recruiters might ask in an informal interview may be less straightforward than in a formal interview. Think carefully about what the recruiter is actually asking and what they may be looking for before answering.

What to watch out for with an informal interview

As the questions recruiters might ask you will be more informal, natural opportunities to demonstrate your talents may not arise. So you may have to work a bit harder to show how you’d be a perfect match for a role.

Beware of being too informal. Especially if you’re in a more neutral setting, it can be easy to forget that you’re being assessed, so be careful what you say. Don’t bad mouth any past employers, be too familiar, seem too desperate for a job or make any other interview mistakes.

If you’re still interested in the role, then don’t forget to follow-up afterwards in the same way you would after a formal interview. Send a thank you email and clarify when you should expect to hear back about the outcome or next stage.

Never forget that an informal interview is still an interview

The golden role is to never forget that an informal interview is still an interview. Prepare as much as you would for any other interview. Ultimately, if you’ve been invited for an informal interview that’s likely to be a good sign that the recruiter is seriously interested in you as a candidate, so get out there and show them how amazing you are. Good luck!