The panel interview can be intimidating, use the following techniques to help you perform well and stand out as the best job candidate.
1. Making a good first impression: As you are introduced make eye contact with each panel member, shake hands firmly and greet them using their names. Pause with each handshake and try not to rush through it.
2.When you sit down in your panel interview, take out your pen and paper and ask if they mind if you make some notes during the interview. First, note down their names as they are seated, if you don't have the information yet. You will use their names when you respond to their questions, this demonstrates good communication skills.
3. Answer their questions:
While answering questions to each member in the panel, ensure you consider the perspective of the panelist who asked the question. Make initial eye contact with the person who asked the question and then scan from one face to the next, pausing briefly on each. Focus on speaking to each individual and then, as you finish your answer, return your focus to the person who asked the interview question.
A good strategy when answering panel interview questions is to cross reference a question with one that has already been asked by a different member. For example, "As explained my previous answer to Allie, my experience in training includes .....". This way you are reinforcing the positives you have already discussed and are addressing the concerns of two panel members at once.
4. Ask Meaningful Questions
Bring a list of prepared questions to the panel interview. You should have questions that address to different members of the panel relevant to their different organizational roles. Researching well about the company and the panel members will help you to facilitate this.
5. End with a positive note
At the end of the job interview ask the question, "Is there any other information you would like to know?" Let your eyes go from one panel member to the next as you wait for their response.
Shake hands and thank each interviewer personally at the end of the interview, again using each person's name. Get each person's business card so that you can properly address a thank you letter to each panel member.
When writing your thank you letters to the panelists refer to each one's area of interest and personalize your comments to make them relevant to that person's particular role.
answered 1 year ago
by anonymous