Panel Interviews 101: Proven Strategies for Success
The good news is that you have secured a job interview. The next step is to prepare. Employers often use panel interviews rather than individual interviews to maximize time and allow those that have a say in hiring decisions to meet each candidate.
Panel interviews are conducted in many industries and are often done so that multiple decision-makers and potential team members can meet each candidate at once. This saves time in the process itself and allows each to ask questions and to learn from what others ask of you. This also allows the panel members to observe how well you interact and react to potentially stressful situations. While you may need to gain a new job, finding the right culture and work environment is also key to long-term satisfaction. Watching the panel’s interaction with you and each other can have significant benefits in learning about the organization and if it is the best fit for you.
Here are some tips on what to do before, during, and after the panel interviews.
Before the Panel Interview
Find Out Who’s on the Panel
While it may seem daunting to meet with numerous interviewers at one time, the panel interview does not need to be. To help ease your nerves, if not offered upfront, ask for the names and positions of each panel member. Knowing who will be part of the interview will allow you to research panel members, either using the organization’s website or LinkedIn, to understand their background, position, and timeline within the organization. When you know their role within the organization and how it intersects with the position you are interviewing for, it allows you to plan for responding to questions they may have of you.
Having this information before your interview can aid in easing nerves and feeling more confident in the process. Panel members may include immediate supervisors, team members, the hiring manager, and possibly a senior leader in that division.
Refer to the Job Posting and Practice
Hopefully, you saved the job posting from the time that you applied, as it most likely is no longer posted. Keeping every posting where you have submitted your resume aids in recalling the details of the job and allows you to properly prepare.
Next, practice….practice….practice! If you still have the job posting, walk through the job responsibilities and those bulleted areas in the posting, and draft short responses to each. Think of the interviewer(s) asking you to share your direct experiences with each bullet. Once you have your draft, practice interviewing with a friend or family member. If you do not have anyone available, you can practice in the mirror or use your phone’s video option to record yourself asking the question and then responding to it. This allows you to playback your video to watch for proper eye contact, listen for filler words such as ‘um,’ ‘a’ ‘ you know’, as well as ensure you are keeping your responses direct and within a 2–3-minute timeframe.
While interviewers will ask about your experience, they may also pose scenarios that may be reasonable to expect in this role and how you would react should that scenario occur with you in the position. Being confident in all your experiences and knowledge gained through your career and understanding the organization and how the position fits within it will allow you to feel more confident.
As you prepare for the panel, focus on your reason for wanting to work for that organization and for wanting that role, and remember the goal of each interviewer is to learn more about you than what is on your resume and to begin to make connections between your experiences and how they can make a positive impact on their vacancy. Think of your responses as telling a story, your story, and how it will benefit the work they do.
Prepare Questions to Ask
Lastly, the panel members will undoubtedly ask if you have any questions for them after the interview. Before arriving for the interview, think of a few questions to have as a backup that may be of interest, but also actively listen to each panel member during the interview for additional questions to ask.
Be intentional with your questions. A good question always relates to their expectations of what the candidate selected will accomplish within the first three months on the job. Their response will allow you to understand if this is a realistic goal for you should you be offered the role.
At the Panel Interview
Only Take What You Need
It is normal to feel some nervousness heading into a panel interview, but try to relax. Like preparing for any type of interview, it is best to limit what you take in so that you are not overly concerned or fumbling with bags, coats, and so forth.
Taking a notepad can be helpful, especially if given a multi-step question, to have pre-curated questions to ask after the interview, and to take notes as interviewers share details about the position, organization, and the process in general. It is best to make sure you have several pens in case one doesn’t work and enough printed resumes just in case. Whether they have shared upfront or not, be prepared for a possible walking tour of the organization.
If the panel interview is virtual, ensure that you have everything you need (e.g., notepad, pen, a glass of water) within reach.
Be Mindful of Interactions
As you walk into the location where the interview will occur, don’t underestimate the power of the first person you meet and those along the way. Those individuals could be your new colleagues, and they may be asked for their input on your interaction with them as part of the decision-making from the panel.
As you meet the panel, wait for each to take the lead of offering a handshake, as some may choose a different greeting, which is perfectly ok. It’s best not to force a handshake if one is not offered and/or if they are already seated and it is not conducive to reaching them.
Usually either the lead panel member will introduce everyone or will have each person introduce themselves and how the process will evolve. As each panel member asks a question, listen carefully and ask for clarification if unsure before responding. While you want to focus on speaking to the person who posed the question, don’t limit eye contact to that person. Rather, make sure to include each panel member in your response.
After the Panel Interview
Send a Follow-Up Message
After you leave the interview, send a brief email thanking each panel member. It’s best to reach out to each; however, if you are unable to gain the email addresses of each, you can send one note of appreciation to the lead interviewer and ask that they share your gratitude for their time with the others. If you do send individual emails, make sure they are brief and to the point of your interaction with that person.
Conclude your message by reiterating your interest in the role and working for the organization.
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About the Author: Sara Ermeti has worked in HR leadership for nearly 30 years in various industries such as higher education, NFP, Religious, Financial, Entertainment, and Transportation. She is also an adjunct professor teaching courses in HR and Business. Sara is a certified coach and resume writer offering individual and business consulting through Esperto HR Office.