2. Reading, Task 2 - Panel job interview

 

 

 

Panel interviews are becoming increasingly common as the job market hots up and companies look for ever more rigorous ways to screen job seekers and spot the best talent. Often uncomfortable for candidates, panels save organisations time, (0) particularly if they are recruiting for a number of positions. 

As the name suggests, a panel job interview is where a candidate is interviewed by a group of interviewers. In most cases, they will be on their own with the panel, particularly if it is for a senior position, (1) how candidates cope under such demanding conditionsby asking the recruitment consultant or person you secured the interview withbut in other scenarios there could be several candidates and interviewersmaintain an open, positive and engaged body positionsend a thank you email later that dayparticularly as you will be judged side-by-side against other candidatesbut when you answer, address the whole panelhow your individual actions and approach led to a positive resulthow it is viewed within the marketby asking friends or family to fire questions at youthen you should have nothing to worry about all in the room at once. In this situation, each interviewer will then ask every candidate a question in turn.

The whole idea of a panel interview is to put an interviewee under more pressure compared with a typical one-to-one interview. It could be the case that you have four or five people all asking you questions. The panel will consider (2) how your individual actions and approach led to a positive resultthen you should have nothing to worry aboutbut in other scenarios there could be several candidates and interviewershow it is viewed within the marketby asking the recruitment consultant or person you secured the interview withhow candidates cope under such demanding conditionsbut when you answer, address the whole panelparticularly as you will be judged side-by-side against other candidatesby asking friends or family to fire questions at yousend a thank you email later that daymaintain an open, positive and engaged body position .

 

Sounds daunting? The good news is that with a decent amount of preparation, there are ways for candidates to shine in this situation.

 

Before the interview
 

As the saying goes: knowledge is power. It is even more powerful in a panel interview where questions are being fired left, right and centre. Make sure you study the job specifications and your CV and prepare as far as possible for likely questions.

You are likely to be asked for examples of when you demonstrated certain skills or experience. Have three to five success stories up your sleeve to bring out on the day and make them results focused. Think about (3) send a thank you email later that daymaintain an open, positive and engaged body positionbut in other scenarios there could be several candidates and interviewersthen you should have nothing to worry aboutby asking friends or family to fire questions at youby asking the recruitment consultant or person you secured the interview withbut when you answer, address the whole panelhow your individual actions and approach led to a positive resulthow it is viewed within the marketparticularly as you will be judged side-by-side against other candidateshow candidates cope under such demanding conditions .

Also, check who will be on the panel (4) send a thank you email later that dayby asking the recruitment consultant or person you secured the interview withbut when you answer, address the whole panelhow candidates cope under such demanding conditionshow it is viewed within the marketbut in other scenarios there could be several candidates and interviewersby asking friends or family to fire questions at youhow your individual actions and approach led to a positive resultthen you should have nothing to worry aboutparticularly as you will be judged side-by-side against other candidatesmaintain an open, positive and engaged body position . Read up on their job roles, career background and recent work success. That way you can ask questions that are relevant to them as well as to the role.

Rehearsing (5) particularly as you will be judged side-by-side against other candidatesby asking friends or family to fire questions at youbut in other scenarios there could be several candidates and interviewershow your individual actions and approach led to a positive resultsend a thank you email later that daymaintain an open, positive and engaged body positionthen you should have nothing to worry aboutbut when you answer, address the whole panelhow candidates cope under such demanding conditionshow it is viewed within the marketby asking the recruitment consultant or person you secured the interview with is a great way to help you get used to the environment. Look through your CV – is there a gap in your employment that needs explaining? And, rehearse the answers to any difficult questions like this.

Think about your appearance, (6) by asking the recruitment consultant or person you secured the interview withbut when you answer, address the whole panelhow it is viewed within the marketbut in other scenarios there could be several candidates and interviewerssend a thank you email later that dayhow candidates cope under such demanding conditionsmaintain an open, positive and engaged body positionby asking friends or family to fire questions at youparticularly as you will be judged side-by-side against other candidatesthen you should have nothing to worry abouthow your individual actions and approach led to a positive result . If in doubt about the company dress policy, always err on the side of caution – a dark, smart suit is usually best. Pay attention to detail such as tidy hair, polished shoes and subtle makeup and accessories.

Finally, check the finer details like the journey – always plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early; being late for any interview is inexcusable.

 

The golden rule of a panel interview is to engage with the whole panel, not just one specific member of the group. When you first get into the room, look at all of the interviewers, try and remember the names of each and address them accordingly. Shake them firmly by the hand if you are standing and then wait to be invited to take a seat. When sitting down, (7) but in other scenarios there could be several candidates and interviewerssend a thank you email later that daymaintain an open, positive and engaged body positionbut when you answer, address the whole panelthen you should have nothing to worry abouthow your individual actions and approach led to a positive resultparticularly as you will be judged side-by-side against other candidateshow it is viewed within the marketby asking the recruitment consultant or person you secured the interview withby asking friends or family to fire questions at youhow candidates cope under such demanding conditions . Do not fidget, sit up straight and lean slightly forward in your chair.

When you are asked a question, maintain eye contact with the person asking it, (8) but when you answer, address the whole panelmaintain an open, positive and engaged body positionhow it is viewed within the markethow candidates cope under such demanding conditionshow your individual actions and approach led to a positive resultsend a thank you email later that daybut in other scenarios there could be several candidates and interviewersby asking friends or family to fire questions at youby asking the recruitment consultant or person you secured the interview withthen you should have nothing to worry aboutparticularly as you will be judged side-by-side against other candidates . This will show that you are confident and will help to build a rapport with everyone in the room.

When the interview comes to a close, thank all participants promptly and gather business cards if you have not already done so. It is also a good idea to (9) but when you answer, address the whole panelparticularly as you will be judged side-by-side against other candidatesbut in other scenarios there could be several candidates and interviewershow your individual actions and approach led to a positive resulthow it is viewed within the markethow candidates cope under such demanding conditionsmaintain an open, positive and engaged body positionthen you should have nothing to worry aboutsend a thank you email later that dayby asking friends or family to fire questions at youby asking the recruitment consultant or person you secured the interview with .

Finally, remember that panel interviews are nothing to dread. If you prepare, come armed with a positive attitude and plenty of success stories (10) but when you answer, address the whole panelsend a thank you email later that dayby asking the recruitment consultant or person you secured the interview withhow it is viewed within the marketparticularly as you will be judged side-by-side against other candidateshow your individual actions and approach led to a positive resultthen you should have nothing to worry aboutbut in other scenarios there could be several candidates and interviewersmaintain an open, positive and engaged body positionhow candidates cope under such demanding conditionsby asking friends or family to fire questions at you .