Mastering Panel Interviews: Stand Out in Group Final Interviews
By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
In this video, I provide expert guidance on preparing for panel and/or group final interviews. Discover what to expect, and tactics to stand out. Learn how to excel in these challenging interview formats and take your job search to the next level. Don’t miss this valuable advice from a seasoned career coach. Subscribe for more expert career insights and tips!
00:00 Intro
00:20 What is a panel interview?
00:33 What sets panel interviews apart?
00:59 How to Prepare for a Group Panel Interview?
01:51 How to Stand Out in a Panel Interview
02:36 Does a Panel Interview Mean You Got the Job?
03:00 Miscellaneous points
03:32 Video panel interviews or group interviews
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We’re talking about how to prepare for a panel or group final interview. I’m Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter. People hire me for no BS job search advice and career coaching globally, because I make the process much easier for people. Now, in a final panel interview, you’ll face not one but a group of interviewers. This team often comprises members from different departments or levels within a company.
What sets panel interviews apart? Well expect a diverse set of questions from different perspectives. These interviews are often going to last about an hour to 90 minutes, and thus you need to be ready for follow up questions to test your adaptability and comprehension of the subject. Sometimes you might even encounter case studies or presentations as part of the process.
Now, how do you prepare for a group panel interview in a way that sets you apart? Well, the obvious thing starts off with research each panel member, understand their roles and backgrounds. And that’s going to help you tailor your responses effectively. Number two, prepare stories that showcase your skills and achievements, ensuring that they’re relevant to the panel’s engineer interests. Anticipate challenging questions that might arise from the panel’s diverse perspectives. Practice your body language and eye contact to engage with each panel member. Consider bringing multiple copies of your resume or presentation materials because they may come in handy for them and while you”re waiting, for you too as reminders to keep the hit the talking points.
To truly stand out in a panel interview, you need to demonstrate your suitability for the role and your fit within the team. A couple of ways that you can show leadership potential is by addressing each panel member directly when responding. Highlight your teamwork and collaboration skills because those are often crucial in panel interviews. Be concise and clear on your response, ensuring each panel member gets the key points. Ask thoughtful questions that show your interest in the firm and the team dynamic. After the interview, follow up with a personalized thank you email to each panel member because that shows not only your appreciation, but it also keeps you fresh in your mind.
Does it mean you’ve got the job because you’re invited back here. No. While it’s a positive sign, it doesn’t guarantee you a job offer. Employers use panel interviews to make informed decisions, but they may still need to compare you with other people. Remember, don’t assume anything until you receive an official offer in writing.
Now, before we wrap up, let me remind you of a couple of things. Number one power dynamics. Understanding the hierarchy among panel members can help you tailor your responses effectively. You’ll find that out from the research that you do into who these people are and what their roles are. And noticing through nonverbal cues often to the subtle reactions of power members during the interview that can provide valuable insights to their opinions.
Now, if this is a video interview, one thing people always ask me is should I be in speaker view or gallery view. Now, speaker view lets you focus on the individual speaker. If you want to concentrate primarily on this person speaking, this is the way to do it. It’ll display the current speaker in a larger window of course, making it easier to read their facial expressions and body language. It also minimizes distractions from the different participants who were there as well, which can help you stay focused.
On the other hand, gallery view lets you see everyone. You can see all of them all them on the call in order to gauge the reactions or responses from multiple interviewers in a panel interview. You can also notice the team interaction and thus, notice how they’re reacting to their responses to build rapport with everyone present.
Ultimately, the choice between the two depends upon your personal preference. If it’s a panel interview with multiple interviewers, you might start in gallery view to assess the group dynamics and then switch to speaker view when answering questions in order to maintain focus. It can be helpful to test both views beforehand and see which one works best for you in the context of this interview. And there you have it, a guide on preparing for panel or group final interviews.
Remember every panel interview is a learning experience even if you don’t get the job. It’s an opportunity to gain insights and skills that will serve you in future interviews. Hope you found this helpful.
I’m Jeff Altman, visit my website, JobSearch.Community. It has a ton there that’s going to help you find work, relationships with other people. . . Plus . . . Plus, if you become an Insider, you can ask me questions that I respond to daily. If you’re an insider Plus member, you can get me on a Zoom call plus all the other stuff you know, there’s lots of video courses, books and guides once you become an insider, and as an insider Plus member, you have access to all those video courses, books and guides plus ask me questions in chat. Plus, get me on Zoom calls. And of course, Insider Premium as well as doing one on one or group coaching. Hope you have a terrific day and most importantly, be great!
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ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS Career Advice globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those
things can involve job search, hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues.
He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2700 episodes.
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You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site, JobSearch.Community Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching.
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