How do you prepare for a panel interview? (sample, work, companies)

[nj21]

I have an interview with 5 analysts for a position and have actually never been to a panel interview.

Has anyone here ever had one and how did you prepare for it?

It will be via teleconference with the group I will be working with.

[groar]

i'd prepare the same way i'd prepare for a regular interview. research the company and the position, practice some answers to common questions (actually practice with another person if you can swing it) and try to tailor your answers to this particular job. think about what questions you are going to ask.

there's not generally any difference from a one on one interview, except that more than one person is asking you questions and sometimes they have different interview styles and/or agendas. it can be tricky when you can tell one person wants one kind of answer and another wants another, but you just kind of have to figure out who you want to please and/or what answer will help you AND the interviewers figure out if you're a good fit.

[veuvegirl]

I would practice, practice, practice.
-Google questions asked during interviews and practice your answers.
-Be prepared for situation questions, and have examples ready
-Have examples ready where you have turned a negative situation into a positive
-Have examples how you have dealt with a difficult coworker or team and what the resolution was
-Research the company, and the people you are interviewing with!

Good luck!!!

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by groar

i'd prepare the same way i'd prepare for a regular interview. research the company and the position, practice some answers to common questions (actually practice with another person if you can swing it) and try to tailor your answers to this particular job. think about what questions you are going to ask. there's not generally any difference from a one on one interview, except that more than one person is asking you questions and sometimes they have different interview styles.

Agreed. Every panel interview I have had has been functionally identical to a one-on-one interview. The only difference is that the panel will alternate in who asks the question.

[Wry_Martini]

Two suggestions:

1) If it's only a phone interview (rather than video conference),if possible, stand and move around a bit while you answer questions. Your energy level will be higher and you'll sound more alert and engaged.

2) You might want to print stuff like key points from your resume or any talking points you want to be sure you cover, in large font and tape them to the wall, so you can easily find a fact and regain your focus (without shuffling papers) if you need to. I've done this many times on phone interviews and have found it works well.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by War Beagle

Agreed. Every panel interview I have had has been functionally identical to a one-on-one interview. The only difference is that the panel will alternate in who asks the question.

This is how I have done it many times over many years at two companies, and on both sides of the table. A few possible exceptions, recently I have started requiring a 15 minute work sample project at the end, and in some management positions have had to do a group discussion with the other top candidates. The panel is typically made up of one person from HR who moderates, the hiring manager,
and 2-4 others in departments that would work with the person hired. It allows various expertise in spotting exaggeration or weakness in certain areas. Rarely is there disagreement, however, candidates are almost always rated in the same order by all members of the panel without knowing the others' ratings.