How to Ace a Panel Interview

How to Ace a Panel Interview

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What Is A Panel Interview?

The panel interview is an interview with two or more members of a hiring team.  The interviewing panel could include your direct manager, an employee that works in your department, and other decision-makers.

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How To Prepare For a Panel Interview

Similar to other interview preparation, the panel interview tips will also include spending some time reflecting on your skills, matching your experience from your current job to the job you're interviewing for, understanding your biggest weaknesses, determining what you like/dislike about your current company, and more. Plus, you'll want to do thorough research 

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How To Prepare For a Panel Interview

on the company and people you'll be interviewing. Let's dive into this more.

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How To Succeed In a Panel Interview

Step 1: Know the Room Research everyone who is going to be on your interview panel. If you're not sure who is going to be on the panel, reach out to your contact and ask. Use LinkedIn and the company's site to learn about each person. This tip reminds us of that moment from Bridget Jone's Diary, where our literary 

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How To Succeed In a Panel Interview

heroine is instructed to introduce people with thoughtful details. When creating your thoughtful details on each interviewer, write them down and memorize them. Try to always find a "commonplace" detail to connect on a personal level with an interviewer. It can be a city where you both lived, a conference you both attended, or a hobby you both share.

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How To Succeed In a Panel Interview

Step 2: Go Old School and Bring Materials for Everyone Most employers will print a copy of your resume and cover letter to show to the panel beforehand. However, do not count on that. Bring copies of your resume and your cover letter to every interview—and for every interviewer. This is a pretty old school requirement in this 

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How To Succeed In a Panel Interview

digital age, but you do not want to miss out on an opportunity because you didn't bring the printed materials. Step 3: Talk to Everyone Even if one of the interviewers is very intimidating, make sure you engage with everyone. If possible, make sure you can find at least one point of connection with everyone on the panel by the time the 

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How To Succeed In a Panel Interview

interview is over. This is much easier to do when you have done your research upfront.  If you can speak about their work, experience, or how you'd envision working with/for each member, communicate this to each member individually. And don't forget about body language like making eye contact!

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How To Succeed In a Panel Interview

Step 4: Show Your Personality With a Conversation Starter Never underestimate the power of a statement piece or a physical conversation starter. Consider wearing a bold-patterned sweater, your "lucky" earrings, or a statement necklace. It may sound frivolous (especially if you're not interviewing for a fashion or accessories job) but a 

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How To Succeed In a Panel Interview

conversation starter can do just that—get the interview started on a positive note.

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After Your Panel Interview

Write a post-interview thank-you note. Write a post-interview thank-you note to each member of the panel.  Your follow-ups play an important role in your overall interview process. If you don't have their emails because you don't have their business card, find them. You can ask the hiring manager or recruiter for that information. Always write a thank-you note.

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