Surviving a Group Interview

Chances are you've run across a group interview at some point during your career. It's likely because "group interview" can either refer to an interview in which a group of candidates interview at one time for positions at a company or to a panel interview, which occurs when a number of hiring managers interview one candidate together. When facing either kind of group-based face time, keep these tips in mind.

Group Interview

When you think of a group interview, you probably envision arriving for your interview only to see multiple candidates there for the same position at the same time. This kind of group interview occurs when the company talks to several potential employees at once as a way to streamline hiring. It also brings an element of a team dynamic into play as your future employer determines how well everyone works in a group of complete strangers.

Walk into the room confidently, even if you didn't expect the group interview. Keep calm, maintain eye contact, and shake everyone's hand firmly. Have a friendly attitude with everyone in the room, including your competition. This shows your true character and that you play nice with everyone. Good teammates are not upset, intimidating or overly competitive with the rest of the people there. Do not think of this as a "Survivor"-style competition where you have to stab everyone in the back to win. Stand out from the crowd by engaging with candidates as a way to showcase your social skills.

Remain confident, but do not intimidate others while doing so. Tearing down the rest of the team shows that you're willing to do anything to win for yourself, and that's not a true team mindset.

As with a traditional interview, it's important to listen to what everyone says. You don't want to repeat what anyone else just explained, nor do you want to interrupt when another candidate speaks. Wait your turn, and give an honest, thoughtful response.

Panel Interview

A panel interview occurs when you are the lone candidate in front of more than one person from the company. The people in front of you probably have a vested interest in your position. The group might include your supervisor, other people on your team, a representative from HR and maybe your boss's boss.

Go into a panel interview with a positive attitude and confidence about your skills. As part of your preparation, you probably discovered everyone's name, so research their LinkedIn profiles thoroughly. Shake everyone's hand, memorize their names, and strike up conversations based on their professional backgrounds.

Answer and ask questions much like a traditional interview. Stand out by being honest and showing your own personality when giving answers. It's a good idea to broaden your scope and talk to everyone in the room when you answer a question, as opposed to just addressing and focusing on the person who asks. You appear more inclusive when you talk to everyone simultaneously.

The main trick to surviving a group interview is to be respectful and act natural. You worked hard to prepare for the meeting, and now you have a chance to show off your professionalism. As you discuss your background and skills, you can demonstrate your ability to work well with others and adapt to unexpected situations.

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