What type of interview technique involves hypothetical scenarios?

The type of interview technique that involves hypothetical scenarios is a situational interview. This approach focuses on how candidates would handle specific, future-oriented situations relevant to the job for which they are applying. The interviewer presents hypothetical scenarios that could occur in the workplace and asks the candidate to describe how they would respond to those situations.

This method is particularly useful for assessing problem-solving skills, decision-making abilities, and how a candidate might fit into the company culture or handle job-specific challenges. It allows interviewers to gauge not only the thought processes of candidates but also their potential behavior in practical situations, providing a forward-looking perspective on their capabilities.

Unlike traditional interviews, which may focus more on the candidate's past experiences, or behavioral interviews, which center on real past actions and outcomes, situational interviews specifically target candidates' ability to think critically and adaptively regarding future tasks they may encounter in the role. Panel interviews involve multiple interviewers evaluating a candidate simultaneously but do not inherently focus on hypothetical scenarios like situational interviews do.