Here's an overview of each step in the interview process, along with advice on the best way to handle each type of interview as you progress up the interview ladder towards a job offer. Screening Interview A screening interview to check if the applicant has the qualifications needed to do the job for which the company is hiring. Phone Interview To identify and recruit candidates for employment. Phone interviews are often used to narrow the pool of applicants who will be invited for in-person interviews. For remote jobs, interviewing by phone, Skype or video may be how you get hired. First Interview The first in-person job interview is a one-on-one interview between the applicant and a hiring manager. The interviewer will ask questions about the applicant's experience and skills, work history, availability, and the qualifications the company is seeking in the optimal candidate for the job. Second Interview A second interview can be a more in-depth one-on-one interview with the person you originally interviewed with or it can be a day-long interview that includes meetings with company staff. You may meet with management, staff members, executives, and other company employees. Once you're scheduled for a second interview, you're most likely in serious contention for the job. Job Offer When you have made it through the sometimes grueling interview process, the final step will be a job offer. Before you accept, it's important to evaluate the compensation package, consider whether you want to make a counter offer, and then accept (or decline) the job offer in writing.