What is a Walk-in Interview?: A Complete Guide
About 73% of job seekers find the hiring process stressful which is why walk-in interviews are a great boon for every applicant. You can simply walk in and grab the job opportunity yourself by appearing for walk-in interviews. But what are these interviews exactly? This blog will discuss what is a walk-in interview, how it differs from the scheduled interview, its benefits, challenges, and tips to ace this interview.
What is a Walk-in Interview?
A walk-in interview is a meeting or appointment between the candidate and an employer that is not scheduled. A candidate can turn up for an interview without prior notice. The employer usually advertises specific dates for anyone interested in the job or working at their company to walk in for an interview.
You know the walk-in interview meaning, but you should also know why it is conducted. The objective is to hire employees in bulk or on short notice quickly and efficiently.
After this interview, the shortlisted candidates may receive a job offer instantly or may be asked to appear for successive interview rounds for further assessment. A job preparation course can help you understand the application process and kickstart your interview preparation.
Difference Between a Walk-in-Interview and a Scheduled Interview
If you are thinking about how walk-in interviews differ from traditional interviews, here is a comparison table for your quick reference:
| Walk-in-Interview | Scheduled Interview |
| It is not for a particular candidate. Anyone interested in the job can walk in to interview. | It is specifically scheduled for a candidate given a particular time slot. |
| The candidate profiles are shortlisted as the candidates appear for an interview. | The candidate profiles are vetted in advance and only shortlisted candidates appear for the interview. |
| No candidate receives a recruiter’s call. They have to arrive for the interview on their own. | The candidate is informed about the time and details of the interview a few days prior through an email or a phone call. |
| There is no specific requirement for a walk-in interview. Any candidate can walk in with their resume. | Only the candidates with the required skills, experience, and qualifications are interviewed. |
| The interviewer has no prior knowledge of the candidate’s expertise. | The interviewer knows the candidate’s expertise. |
| It involves only a simple interview to assess the qualifications and soft skills of the candidate. | It involves several steps, such as HR round, technical round, aptitude test, etc. |
Benefits of Walk-in Interviews
Contrary to the belief that walk-in interviews are hasty and favor the employer, job seekers also benefit from these. Here are the reasons why:
- Faster Job Confirmation: Walk-in interviews are used to hire many employees quickly, making the recruitment process faster where usually the candidates get the job offer the same day.
- Priority to Soft Skills: These interviews focus on analyzing a candidate’s interpersonal skills to decide their suitability for the company.
- Shorter Duration: The walk-in interviews last for a shorter time interval than the scheduled one, saving time for both the candidate and the employer.
- No Prior Appointment: Here, you do not have to apply for a job vacancy and wait for days to receive a call for an interview. You can directly appear for an interview without any appointment.
- Chance to Create Good First Impression: The interviewer has no prior knowledge or bias about you, making the walk-in interviews an opportunity to create a good first impression with your communication skills and knowledge.
Challenges of Walk-in Interview
While there are benefits attached to walk-in interviews, there are some hurdles as well that you may encounter. Let us discuss some of them here:
- Low Pay: Since the recruiter is hiring several employees to fill their workforce, they may select candidates with the same skill set at a lower salary.
- High Competition: Anyone can walk in to appear for the interview, making these interviews highly competitive. You face the challenge of making yourself stand out from the crowd that probably has the same degree and skill set as you.
- Less Time to Make an Impact: While the short duration of the interview saves your time, it does pose a challenge of making an impact quickly.
- Lack of Knowledge About Company Culture: Candidates usually walk into these interviews with less knowledge about the company and its culture because of a lack of prior contact with the HR or recruiting manager.
- Mismatched Expectations: Walk-in interviews may not provide you with adequate time to discuss expectations about the job role, responsibilities, goals, etc., and you may end up with a job not suitable for you.
Tips to Ace Walk-in-Interview
Interviews are an integral part of the recruitment process. Even if it is a walk-in interview, employers evaluate with a keen eye to hire the best talent for their company. Therefore, preparation to make a strong impression and grab the job opportunity becomes essential.
Here are some tips for walk-in interview preparation:
Before the Interview
Follow these tips before the walk-in interview:
- Know the Company: Even if you can just walk in for an interview, do some research beforehand to decide if you want to work at the company and if it meets your professional expectations.
- Practice Well: Do not appear for an interview without practicing some basic questions. With the help of a mock interview, you can further enhance your preparation. Here are some common questions asked during an interview:
- Draft a Good Resume & Cover Letter: Update your resume and write a compelling cover letter highlighting important details that make you stand out among other applicants. You can use resume headlines to make your resume more interesting. Do not forget to keep other documents, such as mark sheets, certificates, reference letters, and identity proof ready for the interview. Check out the best formats for a resume and cover letter to draft one for yourself.
- Dress Professionally: Dress formally for the interview. Since walk-in interviews are all about first impressions, it’s crucial to look professional to increase your chances of getting hired.
- Check the Location & Arrive on Time: Search the location of the interview venue well before the interview and make traveling arrangements accordingly. Ensure that you arrive in time to make a professional impact.
Also Read: Behavioral Interview Questions.
During the Interview
Follow these tips during the interview:
- Communicate Confidently: Your communication skills should be top-notch to ace the interview. Express yourself with confidence but remain polite and patient. Here are some important interview etiquettes you should know.
- Maintain Professional Body Language: Maintain professional body language throughout the interview. Nonverbal communication through eye contact, hand gestures, body posture, and facial expressions is essential.
- Ask Questions: How will you show the interviewer that you are focused? By asking them questions. Check out tips to answer “do you have any questions for me?” for better understanding.
Also Read: Interview Body Language.
After the Interview
Follow these tips after the interview to leave an impact on the interviewer:
- End on a Good Note: You can end the interview by thanking the interviewer for their time and expressing how you are happy to receive the opportunity.
- Follow-up: Mostly, in walk-in interviews, you are informed of the hiring decision on the same day, but if there is no answer, ensure to send a follow-up email or call to ask about the results and further formalities, if any.
Also Read: Top Interview Tips.
Top Companies that Hire Through Walk-In Interviews
Now that you know how to ace a walk-in interview, you can start applying for jobs at the top companies. Here’s a list of some companies that hire through walk-in interviews that you can consider:
- TCS
- Allegis Global Solutions (AGS)
- Bosch Global Software Technologies
- Wipro
- Healthians
Conclusion
You now know what is a walk-in interview and how it is a good option when you are beginning your career and want to gain experience. You can also improve your interview skills by appearing for such interviews. The tips and tricks provided here will help you enhance your preparation and face the interviewers confidently.
Are there any tips that you follow for such interviews? Share with us in the comments below. Also, check out this blog on how to answer interview questions confidently before your next interview.
