- Don’t panic! This is still the interviewers chance to learn about you – the only change is there is more than one interviewer. In most cases the panel interview is a convenience for both you and the interviewers. It’s also a chance for you to get multiple perspectives about the company, hear from those in different roles, etc – use it to your advantage.
- Prep! The same research and preparation goes into an interview with a single interviewer as with a panel. You will feel and be more confident if you know the role, the company and have some stories / examples to share.
- Have 3-6 stories ready to go
- Practice with a friend or family member
- Research the role & the company
- Have enough resumes to each panelist (you may not know it will be a panel)
- Shake hands with each interviewer (at the beginning & end of interview).
- If possible use their names during the interview. It’s ok to write a quick note to remember – can put them in order of where they are sitting.
- Smile & Relax – take a deep breath
- When someone asks you a question, look directly at them as you start to answer but then look at the other panelist too. Everyone should be included in your answer.
- Hold the eye contact for a bit with each panelist during the interview (no darting eyes).
- Remember you can control the pace (same as with a single interviewer or phone interview)
- Take a breath, think about your answer
- If you need them to repeat the question, don’t be afraid to ask however don’t do this for every question
- Reiterate the question- check for understanding
- Be brief but thorough in your responses
- If possible, make a connection / tie back to a past question. For example, Mr. Smith when you asked earlier how I managed deadlines, I would use what I learned from that experience to assist in coaching the team to manage their time.
- If you are cut off, decide if you need to finish the first answer before answering the next one. They may want to gauge how you handle the interaction between them or a stressful situation.
- Follow up Questions – again if possible, include each panelist. Use what you have learned about them and tailor it to each panelist. (This would be dependent on the number of panelist).
- After the interview send each panelist a thank you note or email. If an email, send to each panelist individually. If you can personalize it, even better.
Quick Tips for Phone Interviews
- Prepare
- Company research
- Role research
- Have examples ready to share
- Practice / Mock Interview
- Will you have reception where you will be taking the call?
- Did they send you anything to review prior? If so review it
- Phone Interview Etiquette
- Treat the phone interview as seriously as you would a face to face interview
- Are your voice mail and any ring back tones professional (anytime you are looking for a position, not just for a phone interview). Is your voice mail full?
- Scheduling – if the interviewer calls and wants to do the interview immediately, it’s ok to say now is not a good time but I can do…..
- Set aside the time – no distractions, no driving, no shopping, no eating
- Be ready at your appointment time. If it’s at 10, be ready before 10.
- Focus on the conversation
- Listen and don’t interrupt
- Smile (we can ‘hear’ it in your voice!)
- Don’t put your interviewer on hold
- You can have a cheat sheet – interviewer won’t know, use that to your advantage
- Company stats, questions you want to ask, etc.
- Remember you can control the pace (same as with a single interviewer or panel interview)
- Take a breath, think about your answer, look at your cheat sheet
- If you need the interviewer to repeat the question, don’t be afraid to ask however don’t do this for every question
- Reiterate the question – check your understanding of the question
- Be brief but thorough in your responses. Because you aren’t face to face some have the tendency to go off on tangents – be aware of it
- Follow Up questions
- An easy follow up is what are the next steps and will I be moving forward (closing the interview)
- After the interview follow up with a thank you note or email.
