Tips to Winning a Panel Interview

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 1:50:15 MDT     no comments

Tips to Winning a Panel Interview

Think of the panel interview like being the new kid at school:  welcomed, surrounded, interrogated and gossiped about when you exit the room.  Regardless of how you feel about panel interviews, they are popular and here to stay.

Because panel interviews can be intimidating, they require preparation.  Most panels are made up of 2-8 qualified company specialists such as human resources, technical experts and assorted key managers.  But it is not uncommon to run across a panel consisting of your future teammates — completely untrained in interviewing and simply going off their personal interview experience.   Either way, for best success, start by understanding why companies use panel interviews.

Why Companies Use Panel Interviews:

1. Time Efficiency:     The idea is to put all the decision makers in one location, in one meeting.  They can assess and then discuss the candidate and make a final hiring recommendation.

2. Fair Play:  The more interviewers (votes) the better for the applicant.  A large number of interviewers will reduce extremes in opinion or any biased prejudice.  But be forewarned; now you have to win over the hearts and minds of several interviewers, not just one.

3. Skill Set Check:  Each interviewer is tasked to verify a specific job related competency.  For example HR might be looking at job fit, while a key manager is looking at technical expertise.

4. Professionalism Under Pressure:  Panel interviews are used to see how you react to a diverse group of people in a stressful situation.  The company wants assurances that you can represent them well, especially with prospects, clients and co-workers.

5. Intimidation Factor:  Panel interviews require some endurance training.  They are thorough investigations into the candidates work history.  Be prepared!

Tips to Surviving a Panel Interview:

1. Do your Homework:  Contact human resources prior to the panel interview and get the names and titles of each panelist.  Then read each panelists bio on LinkedIn or the company website, if available.

2. Get Names:  Introduce yourself to each panelist when entering the room.   If you were unable to acquire the panelist’s names prior to the interview bring a pen and paper to the meeting and ask each individual’s name and title. Once you are seated, jot them down in a line on the paper in the order they are seated. TIP:  Try to get business cards (at least one interviewer) so you can learn the company’s email format (i.e. first.last@company.com)

3. Build Rapport:  Make good eye contact with each individual throughout the interview, paying close attention to each panelist(s) questions.  Communicate intelligently, using proper grammar.  Making sure to ask relevant questions to the correct panelist.  Smile.

4. Follow up Notes:  Send a separate thank you note or email to each panel member 2-3 days after the interview.

To contact the author, Marilyn Maslin:
• Email: Marilyn@ResumeFootprint.com
• Twitter:  RFJobTrends