5 Grave Mistakes Kenyan Jobseekers Make In Panel Interviews

Woe unto you if you aren’t the talking type. This one can really drain your energy. Unlike the one-on-one interview which has been so popular with employers & recruitment agencies in Kenya, the panel interview can really drain your efforts especially if you were never prepared.
This type of interview is well known to other as the ‘firing squad’ because of its intimidating nature. There you sit alone in front of the room, waiting for the assembled strangers to ‘attack you’ with Common interview questions that you might find quite trick if you are not well prepared.
The other day I attended an interview along Mombasa road at a parastatal and since I was used to one-on-one interviews, I didn’t prepare well enough for this one! Good thing I had my skills well sharpened and my CV at my fingertips but trust me the interview experience was of its own kind.
Given another chance, there are several mistakes that I would really work on if at all I was to redo the interview. Lucky for you, this post comes early. Let’s look at some of the common panel interviews mistakes that Kenyan professionals made unknowingly.
1. Manage your stress before, not during, the panel interview
This is not the time to calm your nerves. Anything you do from the moment you enter the room to the moment your exit will be monitored.
Get there early so you will have time for some deep breathing exercises before you get before the interviewers. Get to see the actual interview venue if it’s possible to create a sense of familiarity and actually feel comfortable before the interview begins.
MUST READ >>> 5 Attention Grabbing Ways To Get a Job From Recruiters
2. Don’t try to talk to everyone at once
During a panel interview, it may feel like questions are being fired at you from different angles, and you may wonder who to address when you answer a question.
Remember, it’s okay to want to maintain good eye contact with every panelist in the room but note the person who asked the question. Address your answers to him/her, then try and tie your response to more general statements, which you can address to the rest.
Your goal should be to win the panelist over, but to do so one-by-one, instead of all at once.
3. This said, maintain the eye contact with everyone in the room
Make it random. You might feel comfortable with some interviewers and not others but remember, they all work as a team and you are there to convince them all.
Don’t play favorites when answering questions. You don’t necessarily know who has the most decision-making power about hiring, so aim to respond to everyone who asks you a question with a thorough and thoughtful answer, regardless of job title or the way people present themselves.
Make them all feel like they count and you scores will be surprising.
4. Aim for a conversational feel
It might sound like an interrogation with everyone firing their questions, but moderate the whole experience. Make it feel like a personal sales pitch where you are trying to make the panelist understand your school of thought.
Try acknowledging previous questioners in your answers by saying things like, “As Mr. Kamau mentioned earlier…’’
This way, nervousness will disappear making your interview experience less draining and more engaging.
5. Finally, DO NOT be distracted!
Don’t allow small distractions or some strange or odd behaviors you perceive from the interviewers to take over your attention.  For all you know they could be testing your attention span and some skills. Remain focused and sharp!
It will portray a good picture of you.
To wrap it up, feeling nervous at the thought of panel interviews is natural and common among Jobs seekers. Seek professional Interview coaching services from experts before  the anxiety spoils your best chance to get that job.
Who knows, maybe this was your best shot! Don’t mess it.