Going in for any interview can be daunting, but a panel interview can be particularly nerve wracking, especially if you’ve never done one before. After all, in most job interviews you’re just trying to impress one person at a time. Meanwhile, in a panel interview, you have to speak to multiple people at once and convince them you’re the right person for the role. This can feel like a lot of pressure!
Still, even though a panel interview can feel more intense than a one-on-one job interview, you shouldn’t be too nervous. In many ways, your preparation tactics should be the same — and there is plenty you can do beforehand to ensure you’re set up for success. To learn more about how to ace a panel interview, USC Online spoke with Lori Shreve Blake, senior director of career engagement at the USC Career Center.
Here’s what to know about panel interviews, including how to prepare and what to ask.
What Is a Panel Interview?
A panel interview is a type of job interview where a candidate speaks with multiple interviewers from an organization at the same time.
“Many industries conduct panel interviews: corporate business, tech, education, government, nonprofits, media, even retail, will sometimes request a panel interview where they’re trying to get different points of view on candidates and understand if the candidate is a good fit,” Shreve Blake said.
The purpose of a panel interview is to allow different people and key stakeholders at the organization to get to know and evaluate the candidate. But panel interviews can also serve other purposes — including seeing how you handle a more stressful scenario, Shreve Blake said.
“I’m going to be honest with you, it’s a tougher interview than a one-on-one,” Shreve Blake said. “[In a one-on-one interview], I don’t have to impress six people. I have to impress one person. An interview is a dialogue, not a monologue. It should be a conversation, but it’s harder to accomplish in a panel interview style.”
A panel interview can take place at any time, including during the first or one of the final rounds of interviews. What stage of the interview process a panel interview happens depends on the organization.
What Questions Do Interviewers Ask in Panel Interviews?
The questions asked in a panel interview will vary, depending on the role and the organization. Still, certain questions are likely to be asked, so you can still practice some answers beforehand!
Interviewers will want to know about your job experience, of course, and the achievements you’ve made in previous workplaces. They’ll also want to get a sense of your personality and see how you would fit in at the organization, Shreve Blake said.
“They’re going to ask you behavioral questions, that’s common,” Shreve Blake said. These questions can include general questions about your past professional experience, as well as specific questions about how you handled challenging situations in the past or tangible goals you hit.
It is important to answer interview questions according to the STAR method, which stands for “situation,” “task,” “action” and “result.” Be prepared to give specifics and tell the story of your professional achievements using this method.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Panel Interview?
A panel interview might feel intimidating, but this interview style also has its advantages. For example, because you’re speaking with more people, there’s a greater chance you’ll connect with at least one person in the organization.
“There are more people who might like you and approve of you for the role than in a one-on-one interview, where if the person doesn’t think you’re the right fit, that’s it,” Shreve Blake said. “You don’t usually get advanced to the next level if you can’t impress the one that is right across from you. The advantage of a panel interview is you get to have conversations with multiple people who can see your value and advocate for you when you leave the room.”
But it’s not just about how you can impress the panel. A panel interview can also give you a preview of the interpersonal dynamics of the employees interviewing you. By seeing how the panel interacts, you can understand the culture better — and decide if it’s truly the right fit for you. Plus, you will hear a variety of perspectives about working at the organization.
For the organization, a panel interview allows more perspectives on you more quickly, gives insight into how you fit into the role and organization and informs the panel of how you communicate your qualifications for the role.
While there are upsides, some people find panel interviews more challenging. For example, it can be hard to know who to direct your answers to, how to distribute your attention and who to make eye contact with!
A panel interview is also more time-consuming than a one-on-one interview. After all, you’re speaking with and answering questions from more people, so it’s likely going to be a longer process, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to fit rounds of job interviews into a busy schedule.
For interviewers, the panel interview can also become complicated because of the differing perspectives. If there’s not a clear consensus on a final candidate, it can be difficult for the panel to agree, leading to clashes during the hiring process.
How to Prepare for a Panel Interview
Before a panel interview, make sure you look up common job interview questions and rehearse your answers, so you won’t have to scramble on the spot. You should also practice your elevator pitch about yourself, so you feel ready to sell why you’re the right fit for the organization. Do your research on the organization beforehand, so you can demonstrate that you really care about working there and are passionate about the position and the organization’s mission.
Shreve Blake also recommends having at least three questions ready that you can ask all of the interviewers, so you can learn more about the organization, demonstrate your interest and build a rapport with the panel.
Besides research and practicing your responses and questions beforehand, make sure you have all your materials ready for the next day. That means picking out a comfortable and professional interview outfit, printing out multiple resumes and checking directions to the interview location. Alternatively, if it’s a video chat, make sure you have a strong WiFi connection, position your laptop at eye level and arrange the right lighting.
When you’re properly prepared for your panel interview, it will be less scary, and your chances of succeeding are higher.
At the end of the day, panel interviews share a very important similarity with one-on-one interviews: they’re both about connecting with people. That’s why Shreve Blake advises prioritizing personal connection with each interviewer on the panel and making sure you smile.
“You want to make everybody feel like they’re important and make sure that you have eye contact with everyone on the panel,” Shreve Blake said. “And follow up and make sure you send a thank you email to each panelist afterward. Never forget to be authentic [and] show your personality and the likable person you are so they say, “You will be an asset to our organization, let’s move forward with you.’”
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