panel interview

HR

an interview that takes place before two or more interviewers who may be from different parts of the interviewing organization or external to it.

     Organizations tend to use panel interviews as they save time by bringing all the interviewers together rather than shuffling the applicant around from one office to the next. They are also used for their consistency of information: from the applicant and from the organization.

     As with any job interview, it is important beforehand for applicant to find out not only about the position they are applying for, but the organization to which they are applying. It may also help them to mentally rehearse the panel interview situation. With several interviewers, the applicant may feel bombarded by questions. He or she should attempt to answer all the questions, taking one at a time, and if necessary, ask for clarification where a question is not clear.

     The interview is an opportunity for the applicant to showcase his or her strengths to several interviewers at once, and so while it is not wise to interrupt the interviewers, he or she should resist the temptation to let them do most of the talking. Making meaningful eye contact with all members of the panel when talking is a good way for the applicant to convey a sense of confidence and calm—the key to success in the panel interview.