A stressed out friend called yesterday for advice on how to prepare for a series of group interviews next week with a prospective employer. He faces three separate group interviews with three to six people in each one-hour session.
I probably am not the right person to ask since the only group interview (also sometimes referred to as “panel interview’) that I was subjected to many years ago resulted in my not getting the job.
My basic counsel — do your research, relax, look everyone in the eye and don’t simply focus on the nicest-seeming person in the room — was augmented by a timely tweet from The Campus Buzz that called my attention to an informative post, How To Shine During a Panel Style Interview from a site called Job Search Secrets. The post elaborates on each of the following key points.
- Skip the fluff
- Spread the love
- Take notes
- Investigate (research) the company
- Take your time
- Focus your own questions
- Pay attention to interaction
- Thank them individually