What is the 3-step interview process?

The 3-step interview process is a streamlined approach to evaluating candidates through three distinct stages. It ensures a thorough yet efficient assessment of technical skills, cultural fit, and overall suitability for the role. While the specific steps can vary by company, the general framework typically includes:

Step 1: Initial Screening

This is the first stage where the recruiter or hiring manager assesses whether the candidate meets the basic qualifications and aligns with the role's requirements.

What happens in this step

• Resume Review: Discussion of your background, skills, and experiences.
• General Fit: Questions to determine if your goals align with the company’s values and role expectations.
• Basic Questions: These might include your availability, location preferences, and salary expectations.

Purpose

• Filter out candidates who don’t meet the minimum requirements.
• Identify strong prospects to proceed to the next stage.

Step 2: Technical or Functional Assessment

This stage evaluates the candidate’s technical abilities or role-specific expertise. The format varies by position.

What happens in this step

• Technical Interviews: Live coding, problem-solving tasks, or technical discussions.
• Assignments or Tests: Some roles might require a take-home project or a timed test.
• Case Studies: For business or managerial roles, this may involve analyzing a scenario and proposing solutions.

Purpose

• Assess whether the candidate has the necessary technical skills or functional knowledge to perform the job.

Step 3: Final Interview or Cultural Fit Assessment

The final stage focuses on cultural alignment, teamwork, and soft skills.

What happens in this step

• Behavioral Questions: Candidates are asked about past experiences using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
• Team Interviews: Meeting potential teammates to assess compatibility.
• Leadership Discussions: For senior roles, interviews with higher-level managers or executives.

Purpose

• Ensure the candidate aligns with the company culture and values.
• Confirm interpersonal and communication skills.

Why use the 3-step process

• Efficient: Streamlines candidate evaluation without overwhelming them with excessive rounds.
• Thorough: Covers technical, behavioral, and cultural aspects comprehensively.
• Predictive: Helps predict future performance based on past behaviors and current skills.

How to prepare

• For Screening: Research the company and tailor your answers to its mission and values.
• For Technical Assessment: Practice relevant tasks and study tools or technologies the company uses.
• For Final Interview: Prepare examples of past experiences that showcase your teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.

For resources to prepare effectively, consider Grokking Modern Behavioral Interview and Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions to strengthen your technical and behavioral skills.