The scenario
I have recently been laid off from a company where I worked for more than two decades, most recently as a senior manager. I have an interview for a senior management position at another company. It is going to be a panel interview with several officials. I have had only two job interviews in my career and they were both one-on-one interviews. How do I prepare for this panel interview?
The advice
More companies are using panel interviews these days because they want to make sure they are getting the right candidate and, especially in these tough times, that they are getting value for the money they will pay out for a senior position.
Panel interviews give them an opportunity to see how candidates react not only one on one but also in group situations.
There are a lot of similarities in preparing for one-on-one and group interviews, but also some key differences.
For one, many people are more intimidated or frightened by the thought of having to face a group of people, instead of just one.
And that may mean more research and preparation time for getting to know the panel members, as well as more time and practice to get ready to face them.
For another, the focus is not just on the individual but also on group interaction.
That works both ways: The interviewers get to see how the individual performs on his or her own and with the panel, but the individual also gets a peek at the relationships, dynamics, culture and potential fit with the organization.
To be prepared and comfortable in a panel interview, here are steps to follow:
Research
Ask for a list and positions of all the people who will be on the interview panel. Learn about them, the company and the position you are applying for.
Do an Internet and newspaper article search and make sure to check out the company's own website (keep an eye out for its annual report, organization chart and any relevant company reviews).
Know yourself
Be prepared to offer a one- to two-minute response when asked to provide an overview of your career. Be ready to list your major strengths and accomplishments, along with examples of each. Also know your weaknesses; be ready to share one with the interviewers, and how you worked to address it.
Prepare
Enlist the help of a career counsellor, friends or colleagues. Set up a number of mock panel interviews and practise answering the questions posed. Videotape the mock interviews, review them and get feedback on your presentation, communication, relationship-building skills, style, creativity and confidence. The more you practise, the more comfortable you will be in the actual interview.
Also practise visualizing the panel, and make sure that you can be confident, articulate, comfortable, engaging and relaxed during the process.
On the day
Make sure you are well rested and relaxed. Look each panel member in the eye, firmly shake each person's hand, tell them it is a pleasure to meet them and repeat each person's name so you will remember it.
Answer each interviewer's questions in turn. Focus on the person who has asked the question but also make regular eye contact with other panel members. Try to mirror their body language.
If panel members ask complex or several questions at once, jot them down and answer in turn. If you don't understand one, ask for it to be repeated. If a panel member looks confused by an answer, ask whether you have responded satisfactorily or they'd like more information.
Be prepared to ask four or five questions about the company and position.
Use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the company. Be prepared to tell the entire panel succinctly why you are the best candidate for the position.
At the end, thank the panel as a whole, shake each interviewer's hand, repeat their names, and indicate your pleasure at having met them.
Follow up
Remember to send a follow-up letter to the panel chairperson. The more experience and practice that you get with panel interviews, the easier they become.
Bruce Sandy is a certified coach, consultant, speaker and founder and principal of Pathfinder Coaching and Consulting in Vancouver.
Need some mentoring?
Would you like a second opinion about a potential career move? Don't know where to turn about a perplexing issue? Let one of our experts help you sort it all out.
Send your career questions to: