You walk into the room, fully prepared for your interview. Across the table, the panellists are ready too with their questions in hand. The first question lands, then the second, then a follow-up from a different direction and suddenly, you feel overwhelmed, struggling to keep pace with the questions coming at you from every side. Intimidated by everything happening all at once, you begin to fumble.
A panel interview can catch even well-prepared candidates off guard. Unlike a one-on-one conversation, you face several interviewers at once, each with their own priorities, questions and style of listening. Without the right preparation, it is easy to lose your footing. Your ability to handle the pressure shows that you can stay composed, think clearly and engage with several people at once.
The good news is that panel interviews are not as daunting as they seem. With the right approach, you can walk into that room calm, focused and ready to engage with every person at the table. In this article, we will look at how to prepare for a panel interview, so that you can answer with confidence rather than panic.
FISH OUT YOUR PANELLISTS
Since you know it is a panel interview, the first step is to find out who your panellists might be so that you can prepare adequately. Each panellist looks for specific qualities that relate to the demands of their own role, so each role on the panel comes with different expectations and qualifications. Say an HR officer will be on the panel. What will they expect of you? Most likely, they will assess your behaviour and your suitability for the policies and culture of the workplace, rather than your technical skill. Once you know this, it becomes much easier to predict the questions.
RESEARCH THE ORGANISATION
Find out as much as you can about the organisation before the interview. Learn what it does, its mission and values, its recent news and its main projects. Panellists notice quickly when a candidate knows nothing about the company and that ignorance can cost you the job. Knowing the organisation also helps you tailor your answers to its needs and shape better questions to ask the panel at the end. Make it clear that you chose this organisation, not just any employer.
STUDY YOUR ROLE
Read over the job description carefully and note the skills and responsibilities the employer requires of you. These are the areas the panel will test, so treat the description as a preview of the questions you will face. List the key requirements, then match each one to a real example from your own experience, such as a project you led, a problem you solved or a result you achieved. Where you lack direct experience, prepare to show how your related skills and willingness to learn would let you succeed in the role. When you can link what you have done to what the job demands, your answers sound confident and relevant, and you will not be thrown off when the questions come from different directions.
REHEARSE OUT LOUD
It may seem awkward, but it is a powerful tool for any interview. It covers all kinds of interviews and works even better for panel interviews. Many people feel confident about delivering exceptional answers until they open their mouths to speak. Rehearsing out loud exposes the flaws in your delivery and shows whether your answers are fluent and confident. Filler words you never knew were an issue suddenly fill your entire response. It also teaches you to bring out your answers naturally in front of the panel. A friend can act as the panel, pointing out your mistakes and highlighting your strengths. If no one is available, record yourself on your phone and play it back. Hearing your own answers will show you exactly what to fix.
PREPARE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS
Towards the end of most interviews, the panel will ask, “Do you have any questions for us?” Many candidates treat this as a formality, but it is a real part of the assessment. A 2017 LinkedIn survey of US professionals found that 41% of hiring managers see asking well-informed questions as one of the top qualifications in a candidate. During your preparation, write down the questions you would like the panel to answer. This gives you more insight into the role and the team. Direct your questions to different panellists. It tells the panel that you have done your research and now want further clarification. Not asking any questions may suggest that you are not as interested in the role as you claim. Look hard for questions to ask, because there are always some waiting to be noticed.
MIND THE DETAILS
It is the first time you are meeting your panellists, and getting the basics right is necessary for setting a good first impression. Avoid tardiness by arriving early. Dress appropriately for the occasion. Greet the panel as soon as you enter the room, offering a firm handshake to each panellist where it is appropriate. Do not sit down until you are invited to. The panel takes note of all this before they assess your abilities.
ENGAGE THE PANEL
This is not the usual interview where you face one person. More than one person sits across the table, so your approach should differ. Make sure you focus on each panellist as you speak. Begin your answer by looking at the person who asked the question, then move your eye contact around the table as you continue.
Your next interview starts with preparation.
Knowing the steps is one thing; practising them with someone who can guide you is another. JADE Consult is a career development consultancy that helps professionals prepare for interviews and take the next step in their careers with confidence. Contact JADE Consult today and let us help you turn your next panel interview into a job offer.
- Elsie Brako