How You Should Approach Group Interviews

A group interview is a very challenging environment to be thrown into, and many job seekers find themselves intimidated by the very thought of them. Some hiring managers, however, love to conduct group interviews because they can easily compare applicants, see how candidates perform under pressure and get a sense for how they might work in a team. Follow these tips to shine in a group interview.

Be Prepared

Do your research before you head into a group interview. Know what the company does and how it compares to other companies in the same field. Think of questions ahead of time that you can offer at appropriate moments to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Be ready to speak on your feet about the company's greatest challenges. Also prepare your own introduction ahead of time, since you are sure to be asked to present yourself to the group. If you end up in some kind of icebreaker, for instance, having to introduce someone else in the group, go with the flow and treat your competitor with respect.

Be Inclusive

One of the key reasons why group interviews are held is to allow the hiring manager to assess how the candidates work with others. Do not push your opinions on the group, and do not attempt to hold the conversational floor to the exclusion of others. Instead, make sure everyone's opinions are heard. Go out of your way to draw out the introverts in the group and be inclusive of everyone. Do not interrupt, and do not criticize others' answers. Make sure to learn everyone's names as quickly as possible, and use them often.

Stay Focused

In group interviews, it is tempting to spend the time composing the perfect answer in your head. Instead, make sure to stay focused on what is going on in the room. Do not let your thoughts drift off, but keep track of the conversation and listen to what others are saying. Applaud others' contributions and use them as springboards to keep the discussion going.

Watch Your Body Language

In an individual interview, the constant awareness of the interviewer's eye on you makes it easy to remember to sit up straight and maintain good eye contact. In a group interview, there's a real danger of coming across as uninterested or bored when other people are talking. Instead, maintain good posture and alertness throughout, turn your body toward whoever is talking and keep good control over your facial expressions. One mistimed eye roll in a group interview could land you on the outs in the job search.

It takes a little extra work to stand out from the crowd in a group interview. However, if you show yourself to be a focused, prepared team player, you are likely to make an excellent impression and find yourself called back for the next level of interviews.

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