Interviewing with more than one person at a time can be a little more challenging for the candidate. The basic principles are still the same, whether you are speaking to one person or to a group of managers who are evaluating your skills and background.
- Know your audience. The best way to be calm and prepared for a panel interview is to know how many people will be interviewing you and what their roles are. Contact the person coordinating the interview to ask who is involved in the panel interview a couple of days in advance. Bring resume copies for everyone.
- Introduce yourself to everyone. Some candidates walk into the room and sit in the chair. By shaking each of the interviewer’s hands when you walk in, you show a calm and professional presence to the employer. This will also allow you to give each person a copy of your resume.
- Balance your eye contact. As you answer questions, look around at each of the interviewers to explain the skills that you have while ending your answers by looking at the person who originally asked the question.
- Focus on the value you can provide to the employer. Don’t let the number of people in the room distract you from including details and results in the examples you share about past experiences.
Ultimately, candidates who show confidence and professionalism toward each of the interviewers will move forward past a panel interview to the next stage in the process and onto a job offer. Phoenix job seekers have access to additional information about job search skills and local employers that are hiring at http://www.maricopaworkforceconnection.com.
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