Interviews are nerve wracking enough when done one-on-one, but add in a group dynamic, and it can be enough to scare away candidates. - How can job seekers excel in a group setting, when their competition is interviewing alongside them?
- How can job seekers remain calm, appear knowledgeable, and prove they are the best fit for the job?
1) Focus on the attributes that you want to illustrate: Professionalism, Team Player, Work well with others, Adds Value to the conversation; and can understand and adapt to the changing dynamics of the workforce. After all, this group interview is no different than a regular staff meeting. This is a good way to see how you will conduct yourself in a meeting environment.
2) By keeping the things you want to illustrate in “real-time”, you will avoid interrupting, one-upping, and even competing. Approach the group interview as regular staff meeting. Find ways to differentiate yourself through active listening and even asking open-ended questions.
3) Pay attending and listen to everyone’s answers and incorporate what they are saying into your answers. Acknowledge what both the interviewer and other interviewees are saying (instead of just tuning out to figure out what you are going to say when your turn does come).
4) When you are answering your question, make eye contact to everyone on the panel (and not just the person that asked the question).
5) Avoid elevating yourself by putting someone else down. If you want to illustrate leadership, you want to go out of your way to uplift everyone in the room.