Group Interview Types
A group interview can be intimidating and challenging to say the least. There are also different kinds of group interviews.
One version is when one job candidate is interviewed by several managers or other potential co-workers.
Another version is when several job candidates are interviewed at the same time by one or more representatives from the company.
In either scenario, no matter what the position, the hiring company is looking for solid communication and interpersonal skills. They want to see how you interact with others. Do you naturally fall into a leadership role, mentor or facilitator? Do you follow along quietly or get lost in the conversation? How well do you interact with a team in general, even one in which you do not know anyone?
Advice for Group Interviews
You will do well in situations such as this if you are:
- Able to demonstrate confidence, maintain good eye contact and present your answers clearly and concisely.
- Someone who truly listens to what is being asked, as well as the responses of others. You should not be listening, just enough to form an answer. Stay focused and follow the flow of the discussion. As Stephen Covey said, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
- Be polite while others are responding to the question. Even if someone else is completely wrong and off topic, you should not interrupt them.
- Able to think quickly and respond professionally and in some cases change directions as needed. You don’t want to be too quiet/soft spoken. Nor do you want to ramble on with your response. Remember to showcase your ability to answer the questions professionally and concisely. Your response to a question should never be “someone else took my answer.”
Remember you should not be checking your cell phone or engaging in a side conversation while someone else is talking. Even if you are not interested in the response, remember this is a test and how you react to others is being judged as well as how you answer the questions.