3 Effective Ways to Prepare for A Panel Interview

Have you ever attended a panel interview? I happened to have attended one during the onset of my career and it was nerve-wracking.

I was nervous as I walked into the room for my panel interview. Sitting behind a long table were five interviewers all gazing intently at me. It was my opportunity to create the first impression and prove that I was right for the role but nervousness took the better of me.

As the interview began, I was unable to answer questions directed to me by the various recruiters. I failed to get the job in the long run due to my unpreparedness and lack of confidence to showcase my suitability for the role.

Some years later after working closely with recruiters, I found some of the key things I should have done to get ready for a panel interview setup.

1. Research the Company and Panel Members Thoroughly

Being in a position to speak knowledgeably about the company and to personally connect with panelists where possible is important. Spend time reviewing the company website and social media platforms, understand the recent news stories, and get a strong understanding of their business, mission, values, and culture.

Search online biographies of the likely panel members to find points of common interest or background that you could reference to build rapport. Knowing about who is interviewing you puts you in a position to relate with them in a specific manner.

While understanding the collective panel, take a step further by investigating specific interviewers one by one. Identifying their unique backgrounds and roles within the company will help you personalize your responses.

According to a survey, 71% of employers weigh how prepared a candidate seems in regard to the company as one of the top factors when making hiring decisions. Coming out as an informed candidate increases your chances of creating a great first impression.

2. Practice Common and Unique Questions

It’s critical to practice answering typical behavioral and situational questions that are likely to come up, such as talking about your background and qualifications, greatest strengths and weaknesses, and describing a challenging work situation you overcame.

But uniquely for a panel format, you can also prepare responses tailored to this style of interviewing. For example, you can think of scenarios where multiple panelists might ask questions one after the other, requiring clear yet concise replies that still fully answer each separate query.

Statistics show that candidates who have rehearsed their answers outperform those who haven’t by a large margin. The more comfortable and confident you feel entering that interview room, the better.

If you are struggling with the best way to respond to different questions, consider investing in job interview coaching to get expert advice.

3. Learn Panel Interview Dynamics

Understanding panel dynamics is essential to learn how a group interview typically flows – from the introduction questions to each panel member taking turns questioning, to possibly getting grilled by the whole panel together.

Strive not to ramble in your answers, but to be attentive, make eye contact with all panelists, and pause thoughtfully before starting a reply. Being composed under the pressure of multiple evaluators will improve your chances versus a one-on-one format alone. Go through mock interview sessions to understand how you can ace the panel interview. 

With thorough research, practiced responses, a deep understanding of panel dynamics, individually tailored discussion, and appreciation expressed after, you will be equipped to make the most of your opportunity and ultimately land your dream job offer. If you want to gauge your preparedness for the panel interview, you can seek interview coaching services to boost your chances in interviews and gain more confidence. Taking the time to properly strategize for a panel format interview will pay off tremendously.