Published by Kim Thompson on July 20, 2022
Getting an interview is one thing. Going on a panel interview is another. In either case, it’s a compliment to you to be invited for an interview. Yet facing a panel of potential colleagues and bosses can be somewhat stressful for most people. The key to success is understanding panel interviews and preparing ahead of time.
We live and work in a global community, and participating in a team will most likely affect your career progression. Interviewing with teams is common, especially if the position will play a large role in an organization or with a smaller company that depends on team interaction.
Panel interviews give hiring decision-makers a glimpse of how you interact with others and answer questions on the spot.
Take the case of a recent job candidate invited for a panel interview. He described it as “being on stage” for the group rather than having a discussion with just one person. He’s not alone, panel interviews can feel somewhat intimidating in talking with five people and being observed rather than just one.
Even though his panel interview felt overwhelming, he managed to work through the pressure and did a great job. He ended up being invited back to meet one-on-one with the decision-maker and was offered the job.
Here is how he aced the interviews, and his strategy might be helpful to you as well:
• He acknowledged members of the panel and the person asking the question. This helped send the message that each member was important and their input mattered.
• His answers, as well as his non-verbal responses, formed a perception among team members about his ability to work with them.
• He used “results” oriented accomplishments to back up his answers and support his credibility.
• He asked clarifying questions to the group if he had any reservations about his answers.
• He took a notebook in the meeting and briefly jotted down information that would be important later.
• He focused on developing a good rapport and adjusted his communication style as needed.
• He paid attention to the questions asked and took a moment to reflect before answering them. Taking a brief pause before answering helped him demonstrate his critical thinking skills.
• He sent every interviewer a thank-you note, personalizing each one.
Every interview opportunity allows you to learn and improve your skills for the future. He landed a job offer yet acknowledged several areas he could have improved on with his panel interview.
• Before the interview, ask about the schedule and who you will be meeting with, such as; titles, team members who will participate in the interview and brief background information if possible.
• Prepare for group panel interviews by thoroughly researching the company, such as possible problems they face, company culture, and industry trends.
• Keep panel interviews in perspective: Instead of being overwhelmed, look at them as a chance to meet others on your team. Meeting them will help you decide whether the company would be a good fit for you.
Building chemistry is an important skill for all interviews, but it is magnified in a panel interview. Technical skills may have landed you the first interview, but chemistry and how well you relate to others will get you to the offer stage.
What have been your keys to success with panel interviews?