Send A Thank You Note
It’s important to send a unique post-interview thank you note for each member of the panel following your interview. Don’t leave anyone out. Don’t send the same generic thank you note to all your panelists. Do send it within a day or two of your interview.
As noted above, recording everyone’s name and title will make your ability to follow up easier. If you are able to make notes about individuals, you can incorporate these notes into your thank you email to show that you were attentive during the interview. It’s always possible that your interviewers will compare thank you notes, so your effort to personalize each one will go a long way.
Practice makes perfect! Learn how a professional interview coach can help you land the job sooner.
Amanda Augustine is a certified professional career coach and resume writer and the resident career expert for Talent Inc.’s suite of brands: TopResume, TopCV, and TopInterview. On a regular basis, she answers user questions like the one above. Have a question? Take a look at her career advice or ask a question on her Quora page.
Find Out Who The Panellists Are
If you do not know who will be on your panel, politely ask your potential employer to send you a list of the panellists’ names. Look them up on social media and networking sites, and learn about their roles and work histories. Then, you can ask questions and give answers that will appeal to your interviewers.
Become The Ideal Candidate
Review the job spec again, but this time, highlight the qualities of their ideal candidate. Prepare four or five anecdotes that illustrate your proficiency in each of the required skills to hammer home the attributes theyre looking for.
For example, when interviewing for a software development role, it will be useful to have a story about a time when you used your computer coding skills to improve an organisational process. Or, if the job spec emphasises particular soft skills like communication or team working a story about how you used your negotiation skills to resolve an office conflict will definitely come in handy. Its not enough to just be able to tell, you should be able to show your skills by linking them with concrete examples from your previous job history.
You May Like: How To Prepare For Net Interview
What Are Your Strengths And Weaknesses
Employers ask this question to learn more about how you see yourself and where you think you should improve.
Example:I am persistent and dedicated to my job and my team of employees, but sometimes I can be too critical of myself. I often feel that I could have done more, even if the project was a success. Earlier in my career, this led to burnout and negative self-talk. However, I have learned to actively pause and celebrate my achievements. Not only has this helped my own self-esteem, but it has also helped me genuinely appreciate and recognize my team and other support systems.
Why Do You Want To Work For Our Company
Many candidates hate this question because it seems irrelevant. Whether this job is your passion or you simply need the money, why does it matter either way if youre qualified for the role, right? While we certainly sympathize with this line of thinking, there are some genuinely good reasons interviewers ask this question.
For one thing, it helps them assess how you might fit in with the company and whether your values are aligned with theirs. It also helps them gauge whether you view the role as a long-term opportunity or just a stepping stone on the way to something else. Finally, its useful in revealing whether you prepared for the interview.
You can answer this question in one of two ways, or a combination of both. You might use the background research you did on the company during your interview prep to talk about why it seems like a place youd want to work. Or, you can talk about the specific aspects of the role youre interested in and why you believe it meshes well with your qualifications.
Read Also: How To Write A Follow Up Interview Email
Panel Interview: How To Win
A panel interview can be defined as when a single job candidate is interviewed by multiple people. This is different from a group interview, in which multiple job candidates are interviewed simultaneously. If you are being asked to participate in a panel interview, that is a good sign. It suggests that the hiring company is interested enough in bringing you on board to invest the time of multiple members of their staff – not a free proposition.
A panel interview is usually not like a military tribunal. It’s unlikely that you will be seated in a chair in the middle of a large room with a menacing table of stern faces in front of you. More often, you will be seated in a boardroom or meeting room, and multiple people from the hiring company will be sitting across from or perpendicular to you.
In order to succeed in a panel interview, your actions don’t need to be that different from in a one-on-one interview setting. You need to provide relatively concise answers that address the questions you are asked and that, when appropriate, include specific examples from your past and reference how your experience can be an asset to the firm.
Preparing for this interview isn’t that different from preparing for any other type of interview. Research the company. Review your resume. Practice answers to critical interview questions. Dress the part, and make sure you know who your contact is when you arrive.
How To Succeed In A Panel Interview With A Potential Employer
Here are four things to help you succeed in a panel interview with a potential employer:
Don’t Miss: Where Can I Watch Prince Harry Interview
Use These Panel Interview Tips To Get More Job Offers
If you follow the tips above and have a general understanding of how to answer common panel interview questions, you should be in great shape to ace your panel interview!
Dont let the fact that youre meeting with multiple people stress you out its the same concept as any interview.
Study the job description, know about their company, and be prepared to talk about how your past skills and past work will set you up for success in their specific job.
If you do this while also asking great questions of your own and building rapport by learning the interviewers names and getting to know them, youll have a great shot at turning your panel interview into a job offer.
Understand The Role And Its Wider Function
If youre interviewing with a panel, its because there is more than one person with a vested interest in the function of the role. Go back and check the job description to find out who you will be working with and who you will report to. By researching associated roles, youll be able to anticipate their needs and communicate how you plan to support them, again showing youve done the required research thats expected of you as an interviewee.
Don’t Miss: How To Do An Online Video Interview
Get Your Panel Interview Basics
A panel interview is when you are interviewed by more than one interviewer. Many large employers use panel interviews to recruit new workers.
Panel interviews involve a candidate answering questions from several different representatives of the business.
When you accept the interview ask for some background information about the panel members. Ask for their names, positions and what part of the business they are from. Think about the job and the questions they might ask. Keep in mind the panel will generally ask a range of questions that cover all aspects of the job.
Treat all members of the panel equally. Look at each person when they speak to you and take time to introduce yourself to everyone.
For more interview tips, check out some more of our articles:
Tip #: Involve The Group
During a panel interview, it can be easy to focus your attention on one interviewer, sidelining the rest. In many cases, one interviewer takes the lead, while the others assume a more passive role.
Try to involve the entire panel during the discussion. If you are asked a question, aim to give examples that the entire panel can relate with.
For example, if youre meeting with a human resources manager, you want to give examples of your soft skills. If a web engineer is also in the room, talk about your technical skills as well.
- Career Karma matches you with top tech bootcamps
- Get exclusive scholarships and prep courses
When given the opportunity to ask questions, tailor them to the entire panel. This will make everyone feel involved in the process and will relieve some of the tension associated with speaking in front of a panel.
Read Also: How To Prepare For Data Analyst Interview
Engage The Silent Ones
Perhaps the biggest pitfall of all during panel interviews is the temptation to play to one panel member, Skillings says. Indeed, focusing your attention on one or two interviewers can backfire, especially if you ignore the silent panelists. Why? Sometimes, its the quiet panel members, the ones who are silently watching and taking notes, that have the most hiring influence, Skillings explains. Therefore, have questions prepared for each interviewer so that you can bring any mum panelists into the conversation.
Putting It All Together
To someone facing a panel interview for the very first time, it can be an intimidating and terrifying experiencebut it doesnt have to be. By doing proper prep work and practicing your potential interview responses, you can transform any panel interview from what feels like an interrogation into a positive, rewarding experienceand hopefully the next step towards the job of your dreams.
So, remember, the next time you walk into a room for an interview and see a whole group of people lined up ready to ask you questions, yesit really is all about youin the best possible way.
As always, good luck!
Recommended Reading: How To Get Ready For An Interview
Ask A Lot Of Questions
Its important to ask a lot of questions in a panel interview. So a big portion of your effort in preparing for the panel interview should be writing down great questions to ask them.
I recommend bringing the questions in a notebook and just ask the interviewer if its okay to bring it in with you.
Example of what you can say: I brought a notepad with a few questions. Is it alright if I bring this into the interview?
99% of the time theyll say yes.
When you ask your questions, you can direct a question to a specific person or the entire panel.
How many questions should you ask in your panel interview? Id say you should take the total number of people on the panel, and then add 1-2 to that number. Thats how many questions to ask. So if the panel is 4 people, prepare 5-6 questions.
Why Do Employers Do Panel Interviews
Employers conduct these types of interviews because theyre time-efficient and improve the outcome.
They also eliminate the need for multiple interviews with different employees, saving the company time and money. Additionally, when multiple employees hear the same answer, it diminishes misinterpretations and potential biases.
Panel interviews are also an excellent way for employers to determine if youll enjoy working alongside them as the process is essentially a collaborative conversation with you.
Most of all, they provide insight into how you handle stress. Not only are multiple eyes on you, but panel interviews are fast-paced. Every employer seeks candidates that can perform well under pressure. Sometimes, this is the primary reason companies opt for a panel.
Also Check: How To Develop Interview Skills
Essential Panel Interview Tips For Hiring Top Talent
What is a panel interview? A panel interview is when there are multiple interviewers, typically interviewing one applicant. Panel members take turns asking the candidate questions, though there is one interviewer who leads the overall meeting.
They are commonly used by the government, large non-profit organizations, or academic institutions vetting potential new hires. Businesses are particularly likely to use them when looking to fill an executive position, as these hiring decisions are made with input from multiple team leaders and administrators. Recently, many companies, especially collaborative ones, are using panel interviews any time a candidate will be a key part of a team.
Panel interviews can be complicated and overwhelming not only for candidates, but for interviewers as well. Familiarizing yourself with the specifics and particulars of this format is essential to successfully conducting a panel interview. Use the panel interview tips and information below to determine whether this is the most effective tool for your situation.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Panel Interview
Panel interviews are highly effective when used appropriately. However, deciding whether this interview method makes sense for your particular job opening requires an understanding of the pros and cons.
Pros:
Cons
Essential Panel Interview Tips
Prepare and collaborate
Choose interviewers with care
Consider the candidate’s perspective
Engage The Group With Your Responses
Once you have a solid understanding of whos in the room, you can build rapport by connecting with the interviewers, both as individuals and as a group.
To do this, answer each question directly, but then elaborate further by adding points to address the perspectives of the other interviewers. For example, one interviewer may ask you about how you effectively manage a teambut you know the managers from other departments are more interested in how you would engage their teams and work interdepartmentally. So, you could respond with, Holding weekly team meetings are a must, so that everyone has clear priorities and expectations. I also apply this when Im working with different departments, by scheduling standing meetings with those teams. This really enhances our communication.
Also Check: How To Prepare For An Interview At Amazon
Common Questions Asked During Panel Interviews
- How would your colleagues describe you?
- Tell us what you have done to prepare for this particular job?
- How would you address opposition while launching new plans to co-workers or people on your staff?
- Describe a time when there was a tension between you and a client or fellow worker. How did you solve it?
All the above questions are designed to see how a candidate responds and reacts to the question in a group setting.
Advantages Of A Panel Interview
Different types of interviews provide varying advantages to business organizations. Similarly, conducting panel interviews can help the business organization in a multitude of ways. The benefits of using panel interviews to evaluate candidates are discussed as follows
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to aweb browser thatsupports HTML5 video
Read Also: What Will I Be Asked In An Interview
Things To Never Do In A Panel Interview
So youâve prepared for the phone interview, a video chat, the one-on-one interview and the salary conversation with HR. But, if youâve forgotten to plan for a possible panel interview, you’ve missed a step.
Panel interviews, for those who haven’t encountered them before, involve a candidate sitting across from three or more hiring managers and meeting with them all at once in a 45- to 60-minute interview â cue the panic sweats and visions of a firing squad.
Anxiety is normal, but the job interview jitters can be mitigated by anticipating and preparing for these panel interviews. After all, many companies are including these types of meetings in their hiring processes due to time constraints and multiple stakeholders.
As you account for this new step in your job search, there is plenty that youâll need to do to bring your A game. However, there are also nine things you should never do in a panel interview â here we break them down:
How To Nail A Panel Interview
By Mike Simpson
Admit it, deep down inside youve always wanted to be a celebrity.
Theres a definite allure to stardom and some people will do anything to achieve their 15 minutes of fame, and its easy to see why. In the right context, being the center of attention is the best feeling in the world.
Theres no bigger ego boost than the one you can get when you swagger into a room full of confidence and know everyones eye is on you for all the right reasons
How do you feel when youre in that situation?
Powerful, right!?
Now lets say instead of being a star, youre a job seeker, and instead of adoring fans you find yourself walking into a room of professionals who have gathered together to conduct an interviewyour interview.
Suddenly being the center of attention doesnt seem so great any more, does it?
How do we fix that? How do we get you your superstar mojo back?
Lets start with the basics, beginning with defining exactly what a panel interview is
But first before we get started we wanted to let you know that there are over 100 other difficult traditional interview questions you could be asked in your regular job interview. Sounds stressful right?
Well dont worry, because we created a free PDF that outlines the most common questions and gives you word for word sample answers that you can use at your next interview.
You May Like: What Questions To Ask In An Administrative Assistant Interview
Tips To Ace Panel Interviews
Job interviews are an important part of the hiring process. The candidate needs to clear the interview round if he or she wants to land the job with the organization of their preference. Preparation plays an important role in the success of a job interview. Panel interviews may seem to be a challenge for the candidate, as the candidate will have to face more than two or more interviews. The various tips that will help a candidate to clear panel interviews comfortably are mentioned below
