1. The purpose of an interview in the hiring process is to evaluate a candidate's qualifications, skills, experience, and overall fit for the job and the company culture. It also allows the candidate to learn more about the role and the organization. 2. Different types of interviews commonly used include: - **Structured interviews**: predefined questions asked to all candidates. - **Unstructured interviews**: more conversational and flexible. - **Behavioral interviews**: focus on past behavior and experiences. - **Technical interviews**: assess specific job-related skills. - **Panel interviews**: multiple interviewers question a single candidate. 3. Preparation before an interview is important because it helps the candidate: - Understand the company and role. - Practice answering possible questions. - Prepare questions for the interviewer. - Reduce anxiety and increase confidence. 4. The STAR technique is used to answer behavioral questions by describing: - **Situation**: the context of a specific event. - **Task**: the goal or responsibility involved. - **Action**: the steps taken to address the task. - **Result**: the outcome of those actions. 5. Common mistakes to avoid during an interview include: - Being unprepared or uninformed about the company. - Providing vague or irrelevant answers. - Speaking negatively about past employers. - Poor body language or lack of eye contact. - Failing to ask questions when given the chance.