5 Tactics For Handling A Panel Job Interview

Interview Tips

By Loreen Mwangi

Dealing with a big panel in an interview can be intimidating for anyone, especially if the panel consists of senior managers.

Most people find panel interviews unfair, but with the right preparation, you can be able to handle a big panel without feeling ambushed.

Regardless of how you feel about facing a large panel, most large companies use this strategy to see how candidates react when on the “hot seat”. Also panel interviews help them get the right candidate for the job.

So how do you remain calm and composed when you attend an interview with more than 4 interviewers?

How To Handle A Large Interview Panel

1. Maintain eye contact
When yo u enter the room, greet the interviewers. Sit in a strategic position where you can be able to maintain eye contact with all of them. Visually engage all interviewers.

2.  Come prepared
Have several copies of your documents. Give each interviewer a copy of your documents.

Always be prepared for the common but important questions such as “Tell us about yourself, Why should we hire you” and all the other obvious questions.

3.  Take notes
When it comes to panel interviews, it is important to remember their names. Writing their names down in a notebook can help ease the tension of having to memorize their names.

Once you become familiar with their names, you can be able to address them individually. This goes a long way in connecting with them and eventually having an engaging conversation with each of them.

4. Always Be Calm In A Panel interview

Each panel member has a different attitude and energy. Try and connect with each of them. Don’t be in a rush to answer a question, use a few seconds to think of the appropriate answer before giving a response. Again, don’t take too long to come up with an answer.

Focus on the person asking the question. Make sure your body language does not indicate any form of nervousness as the rest of the team observes your body language and how you respond to questions.

5.  Have a question for each interviewer
At the end of the interview, have a question for each of them. Prepare questions that will help you have a better perspective of the company, their standards and policies.

Avoid looking at your notebook when asking these questions, have them flow naturally in a conversation.

Hope your next interview turns out great!