All About Panel Interviews

Bob writes:

I work for large national insurance company. Recently I was selected to interview for a position in a pilot program called “Fast Forward.” The program is designed to develop future managers. Only 12 people will make the final cut. I was told that the first step in the process would be an interview where four candidates would be interviewed at the same time by a panel of four managers.

Have you ever heard of this technique? Is this the latest trend in interviewing? What might I expect? Please share your thoughts.

The Career Doctor responds:

First, let me offer my congratulations to you. Obviously you have made enough of an impression with your employer to make the initial list for this new program. Kudos to you.

And now you are doing another smart thing — seeking advice and doing your best to prepare for the first step in the process. Keep up the good work!

Panel and group interviews are increasingly being used by employers in various types of interviewing situations. What you describe is both a panel and a group interview. My best advice would be for you to seek out your supervisor or a mentor within the organization and solicit their advice about what to expect, how to prepare, what to do, etc. If nothing else, it again shows your commitment and interest in your employer and in furthering your career.

The situation you are facing is quite interesting. While panel interviews, by definition, have a small group of employer representatives, your upcoming interview also pits one candidate against another in providing the best answers. Don’t ignore the other candidates, but focus most of your concentration and energy on the panelists. Look at EACH person on the panel as you respond to questions so that each one feels equally important. Smile, make good eye contact, be confident, project your voice, and try not to be intimidated by the panel or other candidates. The best panel interviews are ones that seem more like discussions than a grilling or inquisition.

Brush up on your interviewing skills by going to the Guide to Job Interviewing Resources section of Quintessential Careers.