have you ever done a group interview, what was it like? (employees, pay)

[Hemlock140]

Almost all of our interviews would be considered "group", though we prefer to call it panel. The least I have ever had with me when interviewing is two others. While the hiring manager makes the final decision, we invite people that the candidate would be working with in other departments, usually other managers/supervisors to participate. After the interview is over we will discuss the candidate for 10-15 minutes before moving on to the next one. We all sit around a table in a conference room. There is also someone there from HR to make introductions and serve as moderator and for keeping us on schedule. For the candidates, it may be a bit difficult to try and maintain eye contact with all of us, especially if they are not used to speaking up at meetings.

[yukon]

I like group/panel interviews. It gives me a chance to gauge the interaction in the group. Just like they interview me, I interview them. I'm actually a bit leery these days of an interview that doesn't at least include a tour of the office and a few introductions. Tells me a lot about the management, sometimes not always good.

[Erauso1592]

It was like an interrogation. One or two people are usually obnoxious or softly confrontational. I couldn't wait to get out of there. Despise group interviews with a passion. Have no problem speaking in public in front of groups or interviewing - for those who want be negative and say "maybe you don't interview well...bla bla."

[TwistedGray]

For the job I just applied for I had a phone interview with four people, and it was okay. It was busy, a bit complicated, and in retrospect it should've been via video to better mitigate talking over people and make it easier for the interviewee follow along. It wasn't bad because I know two of the four people, spoke to the third, so I was at least able to follow along with who was asking or saying what.

Today I had the on-site interview with the same four plus lunch with two others within the department. I had to present some ideas that I had in which I would incorporate into their current marketing/advertising plans. Everything went fine, and about halfway through it became more of a discussion than a presentation. It's fortunate though that I know everyone so it was good.

Special case, but I don't mind group interviews...

[Michelle21689]

So I don’t know if anyone will be reading this but the interview went well. It is a very conservative and quiet environment but the benefits are pretty awesome. The only concern I have during my interview is prior to coming in I noticed the date of my cover letter was completely wrong!! Lol, I was hoping maybe they didn’t notice but as I sat down I saw my cover letter right in front of her. I apologized about the mistake as she was reading it in front of me but she said she didn’t even notice. How much do you think that hurts my chances if it went well beside the whole date thing? Interview went over an hour but I am thinking its normal because they said in my email expect an hour of my time.
I should hear something next week.

[te3t]

Yes for my current job I was interviewed by 3 people and they took turns answering questions.

[Melodica]

I've had group/panel interviews as well. Sometimes they aren't too bad - other times they completely suck.

The interview for the job I just got was with four people, but they were split up. First was HR, then the two managers, then THEIR manager.

Another job I interviewed for was with eight people - in groups of two. That interview took almost three hours and was for a PART-TIME job!

The largest group seemed like the entire office. There were at least 10 people and each of them asked a question. That was probably the crappiest one.

[PeterPan666]

Did one for Pinkberry. Wasn't hard, just a little uncomfortable as I am a very shy person.

[tnff]

I've been to panel interviews often as well as been on interview panels. They don't bother me because usually the panel helps balance out the preconceptions of a single manager (and I've seen plenty of those, from both sides as well).


But once I actually was in a "group" interview. I had just gotten out of the service and was looking to go into teaching. Something seemed kind of screwy when I was escorted into a classroom with several other people in it and then more and more kept coming in. Eventually the hiring panel came in with the resumes and started asking questions around the room. They'd call out a name and ask a question about their resume, then ask others in the room to raise their hand and respond to how their background was better suited than the person who just answered. It was really kind of surreal and very insulting. I left at the first break. Figured if that's how they were in the interview, working there would be really poor.

[sandsthetime]

Originally Posted by tnff

But once I actually was in a "group" interview. I had just gotten out of the service and was looking to go into teaching. Something seemed kind of screwy when I was escorted into a classroom with several other people in it and then more and more kept coming in. Eventually the hiring panel came in with the resumes and started asking questions around the room. They'd call out a name and ask a question about their resume, then ask others in the room to raise their hand and respond to how their background was better suited than the person who just answered. It was really kind of surreal and very insulting. I left at the first break. Figured if that's how they were in the interview, working there would be really poor.

This was very similar to the group interview I had with Lincoln Technical Institute for a Admissions Rep position. The three managers had 20 of us hunkered down in a classroom, showing videos and then eventually asking questions. We had to go around the room and explain why we were better than the person sitting next to us. Never heard from them ever again after that.

I often wonder if they even had a job to begin with, or if it was just a fancy way of promoting their own programs and services.