Panel Interviews: What to Expect

A panel interview is similar to a typical one-on-one interview but there two or more interviewers in the room. Panel interviews can be intimidating, but by planning carefully and understanding the process should make you feel at ease.

Why a panel interview?

These interviews are most common in executive level roles, but you may come across them in other environments for example, teaching, government or post university. Multiple decision makers are likely to be in the room and therefore it can be an intimidating way to be interviewed. It is important to keep in mind that the organisation have most likely structured it this way for a reason. Panel interviews, in some cases can be the fairest way to interview someone due to there being more than one opinion. Panel interviews can be a great way for you to understand more about the business and what the structure of the business looks like. As well as meeting multiple people in the business at once, which can give you a great advantage when understanding if you would like to take the role if successful. 

Preparation is Important

As for any interview, you should do adequate preparation. Find out as much as you can about the business and read over the job description to ensure you understand what role entails. As well as your usual prep ensure that you have researched all interviewers, find out their names and job titles find out where their role sits within the business. By finding out beforehand about who is interviewing you, you can find out where their role fits into the business. Understanding where someone fits into the business will give you a good insight into the type of questions they may ask, by taking time to research this you can give yourself a great advantage when it comes to the interview.

Things to remember

Don’t fall into the trap of speaking to only one of the interviewers in the room or directing your answers to only one interviewer. Often there will most likely be one person taking lead, but ensure you are speaking to each person in the room equally. This is important as the key decision maker may be sitting back and taking notes.

If you have done your preparation correctly you should know who each person is during your interview. This will be beneficial when it comes to you asking questions. Have a question for each person on the panel and direct those questions to those people specifically. This will show that you have done your research and that you understand what each person does. As well as showing interest in the different sides of the business and their individual roles.