The secrets to crushing the Panel Interview

Panel interviews can be a piece of cake.

Panel Interview Tips

Last week, we talked about the pros and cons of the Panel Interview. This post is about how to crush this style of interview. As we discussed last week, the two things that are most feared:

• Panel interviews can be embarrassing. We are afraid we won’t know the answer to a question in front of a group. Not knowing the answer to a question is one thing when there is only a single interviewer, but it is another matter when faced with 3-5 interviewers.
• A Panel Interview is an inquisition or a review board. They are not. You will rarely encounter this style of interview.  Remember, you can ONLY BE ASKED ONE QUESTION AT A TIME, and if you know the answer ahead of time, it doesn’t matter how fast they ask you the questions. Have your answers to questions rehearsed and practiced.

Below are several things I have observed successful candidates do during panel interviews. Most of these are subtle, but they make a HUGE difference to the overall presentation. 

Before the interview

• Memorize your questions. It’s okay to have prepared questions written down beforehand so they don’t get forgotten, but as much as possible, this should be a conversation. This is not an “I have a list of questions” dialogue.  It’s a different dynamic when you’re talking with one person and they’re waiting on you.  It is an entirely different situation when five people are waiting for you to get organized.
• Research all members of the panel. It is perfectly acceptable to ask your contact with whom you will be meeting.

During the interview

• Smile, shake hands with everyone, maintain eye contact with each person, and address the entire room. Move your head from side to side like a bobblehead, and ensure you include EVERYONE in the conversation.  If you have to reposition your seat so it is easier to see everyone, do so.
• Take control of the interview from the start. Don’t wait for the panel to ask you to “tell us about yourself.” We ABSOLUTELY know this is going to be asked. After the initial chit-chat, say something to the effect of “Thanks for taking the time to meet with me; I have been looking forward to this since I talked with the recruiter, because I am excited about the opportunity. I’m not sure if everyone had the opportunity to review my resume. “We can jump straight into any questions you may have. OR, I am happy to give you the quick version of my background and answer any questions.” You are answering the question the entire panel has on their minds on your grounds. The “Tell me about yourself” question. You can set the tempo and ease the burden on the panel. The odds are that not everyone will read your resume, and this move will bridge the gap.  Read this post on controlling the interview for more info on this tactic. These first few minutes are critical!

Remember names and use them

• Remember the panel members’ names. As introductions are made, write everyone’s name down in the order of sitting, left to right. If you are handed business cards, lay them in front of you in the owner’s corresponding position. In any situation, addressing people by name will help develop interpersonal connections much quicker than without.
• Conduct your interview in a conversational tone, providing answers that offer thorough explanations. This is SIGNIFICANTLY MORE IMPORTANT in a panel interview.  This is a group, and groups are “social”.  Short answers with brief explanations will kill your chances.  Do not feel pressured to answer quickly because you think you may be wasting folks’ time. Provide the full, articulate answer you have practiced in the Behavioral Interviewing style. Panel interviews are used in an environment that wants to be perceived as a team. Even if the panel or team comprises different departments, address the entire team.

Engage with everyone

• Engage everyone in a panel interview!  There will usually be someone who engages you more than the rest of the panel. This isn’t always the most senior person. There will also be someone who doesn’t talk that much.  This could easily be the senior person in charge.  The trap is only making eye contact with the perceived leader. Make eye contact with this quiet person just as much as you do the “leader/decision-maker.”  The decision maker is the person everyone constantly turns to when answering questions from anyone.  You will be surprised at how often I hear, “I didn’t like that they didn’t pay attention to you, Suzy” (Suzy being the shy one, even though I am the confident one, who often drives, hogges, or monopolizes the entire interview).
• Focus! Do NOT become distracted if someone is working on their laptop or texting on their phone. Yes, it is rude; it is a distraction, but if you are in a company meeting, you will probably face the same challenge. Take this as insight into the company’s culture. It’s not a bad thing; just don’t let one rude person steal your opportunity.
• Ask questions that everyone can relate to in the group. Avoid questions directed and specific to an individual.  You want a “group” question because even if only one person is answering, you want everyone thinking about how they would answer your question.   Even if it isn’t vocal, you want the panel to be talking and connecting with you in their minds.  If you direct a question to a single person on a topic only they know, you risk losing the group.  Losing the group is losing initiative.

Questions that everyone can relate to:

• What attracted you to Acme Publishing
• What do you like about working at Acme Publishing?
• What are some of the traits that make people successful at Acme Publishing?
• Refer back to earlier points and the name of the person who introduced this example. If you bring them and their example up, this person will feel special. Your grade school teacher would use your example in front of the entire class, making you feel special. It got you mentally engaged in the conversation.

After the panel interview

• Send a personalized thank-you letter or email to each of the panelists.  (My thoughts on thank you’s here and here) Do NOT send a single email to everyone listed on the TO line.  Do not forget anyone, even the shy ones.  Individualize each thank-you letter. There is nothing worse than feeling a connection with a candidate and then discovering that everyone received the same thank-you email, or worse, you were the only person who didn’t receive one. “L-O-S-E-R!” 

Remember, a panel interview can work in your favor. It is not something to fear but something to embrace.

See you at the after party,
HRNasty

nasty: an unreal maneuver of incredible technique, something that is ridiculously good, tricky, and manipulative but with a result that can’t help but be admired, a phrase used to describe someone good at something. “He has a nasty forkball”.

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