Suggestions for handling a panel interview - special considerations

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I have a panel interview for an entry level position with a financial institution at the end of the week. Aside from the usual preparations such as the following:



  • Researching the company and the position you are applying for

  • Being prepared to describe past experiences on one's resume

  • Linking your skills to the job being sought

  • Showing interest and poise in working in this position

There are five panelists and they are from different managerial levels.



What are some other recommendations for properly handling a panel interview?







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  • 1




    A note of encouragement: the fact that you are posting here, looking for advice and already put some homework into this will give you a great starting point. Use this as a source of confidence: a panel interview can be intimidating.
    – Hilmar
    Dec 17 '14 at 2:06
















up vote
2
down vote

favorite












I have a panel interview for an entry level position with a financial institution at the end of the week. Aside from the usual preparations such as the following:



  • Researching the company and the position you are applying for

  • Being prepared to describe past experiences on one's resume

  • Linking your skills to the job being sought

  • Showing interest and poise in working in this position

There are five panelists and they are from different managerial levels.



What are some other recommendations for properly handling a panel interview?







share|improve this question


















  • 1




    A note of encouragement: the fact that you are posting here, looking for advice and already put some homework into this will give you a great starting point. Use this as a source of confidence: a panel interview can be intimidating.
    – Hilmar
    Dec 17 '14 at 2:06












up vote
2
down vote

favorite









up vote
2
down vote

favorite











I have a panel interview for an entry level position with a financial institution at the end of the week. Aside from the usual preparations such as the following:



  • Researching the company and the position you are applying for

  • Being prepared to describe past experiences on one's resume

  • Linking your skills to the job being sought

  • Showing interest and poise in working in this position

There are five panelists and they are from different managerial levels.



What are some other recommendations for properly handling a panel interview?







share|improve this question














I have a panel interview for an entry level position with a financial institution at the end of the week. Aside from the usual preparations such as the following:



  • Researching the company and the position you are applying for

  • Being prepared to describe past experiences on one's resume

  • Linking your skills to the job being sought

  • Showing interest and poise in working in this position

There are five panelists and they are from different managerial levels.



What are some other recommendations for properly handling a panel interview?









share|improve this question













share|improve this question




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edited Dec 16 '14 at 22:29









Monica Cellio♦

43.7k17114191




43.7k17114191










asked Dec 16 '14 at 21:28









Anthony

5,1661255




5,1661255







  • 1




    A note of encouragement: the fact that you are posting here, looking for advice and already put some homework into this will give you a great starting point. Use this as a source of confidence: a panel interview can be intimidating.
    – Hilmar
    Dec 17 '14 at 2:06












  • 1




    A note of encouragement: the fact that you are posting here, looking for advice and already put some homework into this will give you a great starting point. Use this as a source of confidence: a panel interview can be intimidating.
    – Hilmar
    Dec 17 '14 at 2:06







1




1




A note of encouragement: the fact that you are posting here, looking for advice and already put some homework into this will give you a great starting point. Use this as a source of confidence: a panel interview can be intimidating.
– Hilmar
Dec 17 '14 at 2:06




A note of encouragement: the fact that you are posting here, looking for advice and already put some homework into this will give you a great starting point. Use this as a source of confidence: a panel interview can be intimidating.
– Hilmar
Dec 17 '14 at 2:06










2 Answers
2






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4
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One of the biggest things I can think of is to make sure to address your answer first to the person who asked the question. But overall, make sure you make eye contact with everyone. Check out their body language. If the guy who asked the question is smiling but the guy in the corner is frowning, you are probably missing something he wants said. Remember all of them will evaluate every answer even if the person did not ask it. Give more attention to the person asking the question, but don't ignore everyone else.






share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    1
    down vote














    What are some other recommendations for properly handling a panel interview (with five panelists and they are from different managerial levels)?




    Some of these may be more or less applicable.



    • Look up your interviewers on Linked-in (if you know who they are).

    • Write out some sample STAR interview answers, keeping in mind you will have a lot of different managerial layers present

    • Ensure you dress formally as higher levels tend to care more about this

    • Look everyone in the eye periodically

    • Depending on culture, make sure you introduce yourself to everyone and shake their hands. This varies based on culture

    • Have questions related to the strategic direction of the company. Your primary questions probably will be related to your job, which don't really matter to the higher level managers. Have questions they care about too, like "what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing X in the next 5 years?"

    • Don't only address a portion of the panel. Some may be much less vocal but they are still interviewing you, don't make them feel left out.

    • If possible, try to avoid directly facing anyone - this comes across as more adversarial. If you can sit at an angle, even if somewhat, this is a more natural/relaxed interaction.





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      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes








      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      4
      down vote













      One of the biggest things I can think of is to make sure to address your answer first to the person who asked the question. But overall, make sure you make eye contact with everyone. Check out their body language. If the guy who asked the question is smiling but the guy in the corner is frowning, you are probably missing something he wants said. Remember all of them will evaluate every answer even if the person did not ask it. Give more attention to the person asking the question, but don't ignore everyone else.






      share|improve this answer
























        up vote
        4
        down vote













        One of the biggest things I can think of is to make sure to address your answer first to the person who asked the question. But overall, make sure you make eye contact with everyone. Check out their body language. If the guy who asked the question is smiling but the guy in the corner is frowning, you are probably missing something he wants said. Remember all of them will evaluate every answer even if the person did not ask it. Give more attention to the person asking the question, but don't ignore everyone else.






        share|improve this answer






















          up vote
          4
          down vote










          up vote
          4
          down vote









          One of the biggest things I can think of is to make sure to address your answer first to the person who asked the question. But overall, make sure you make eye contact with everyone. Check out their body language. If the guy who asked the question is smiling but the guy in the corner is frowning, you are probably missing something he wants said. Remember all of them will evaluate every answer even if the person did not ask it. Give more attention to the person asking the question, but don't ignore everyone else.






          share|improve this answer












          One of the biggest things I can think of is to make sure to address your answer first to the person who asked the question. But overall, make sure you make eye contact with everyone. Check out their body language. If the guy who asked the question is smiling but the guy in the corner is frowning, you are probably missing something he wants said. Remember all of them will evaluate every answer even if the person did not ask it. Give more attention to the person asking the question, but don't ignore everyone else.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Dec 16 '14 at 22:31









          HLGEM

          133k25226489




          133k25226489






















              up vote
              1
              down vote














              What are some other recommendations for properly handling a panel interview (with five panelists and they are from different managerial levels)?




              Some of these may be more or less applicable.



              • Look up your interviewers on Linked-in (if you know who they are).

              • Write out some sample STAR interview answers, keeping in mind you will have a lot of different managerial layers present

              • Ensure you dress formally as higher levels tend to care more about this

              • Look everyone in the eye periodically

              • Depending on culture, make sure you introduce yourself to everyone and shake their hands. This varies based on culture

              • Have questions related to the strategic direction of the company. Your primary questions probably will be related to your job, which don't really matter to the higher level managers. Have questions they care about too, like "what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing X in the next 5 years?"

              • Don't only address a portion of the panel. Some may be much less vocal but they are still interviewing you, don't make them feel left out.

              • If possible, try to avoid directly facing anyone - this comes across as more adversarial. If you can sit at an angle, even if somewhat, this is a more natural/relaxed interaction.





              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                1
                down vote














                What are some other recommendations for properly handling a panel interview (with five panelists and they are from different managerial levels)?




                Some of these may be more or less applicable.



                • Look up your interviewers on Linked-in (if you know who they are).

                • Write out some sample STAR interview answers, keeping in mind you will have a lot of different managerial layers present

                • Ensure you dress formally as higher levels tend to care more about this

                • Look everyone in the eye periodically

                • Depending on culture, make sure you introduce yourself to everyone and shake their hands. This varies based on culture

                • Have questions related to the strategic direction of the company. Your primary questions probably will be related to your job, which don't really matter to the higher level managers. Have questions they care about too, like "what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing X in the next 5 years?"

                • Don't only address a portion of the panel. Some may be much less vocal but they are still interviewing you, don't make them feel left out.

                • If possible, try to avoid directly facing anyone - this comes across as more adversarial. If you can sit at an angle, even if somewhat, this is a more natural/relaxed interaction.





                share|improve this answer






















                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote










                  What are some other recommendations for properly handling a panel interview (with five panelists and they are from different managerial levels)?




                  Some of these may be more or less applicable.



                  • Look up your interviewers on Linked-in (if you know who they are).

                  • Write out some sample STAR interview answers, keeping in mind you will have a lot of different managerial layers present

                  • Ensure you dress formally as higher levels tend to care more about this

                  • Look everyone in the eye periodically

                  • Depending on culture, make sure you introduce yourself to everyone and shake their hands. This varies based on culture

                  • Have questions related to the strategic direction of the company. Your primary questions probably will be related to your job, which don't really matter to the higher level managers. Have questions they care about too, like "what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing X in the next 5 years?"

                  • Don't only address a portion of the panel. Some may be much less vocal but they are still interviewing you, don't make them feel left out.

                  • If possible, try to avoid directly facing anyone - this comes across as more adversarial. If you can sit at an angle, even if somewhat, this is a more natural/relaxed interaction.





                  share|improve this answer













                  What are some other recommendations for properly handling a panel interview (with five panelists and they are from different managerial levels)?




                  Some of these may be more or less applicable.



                  • Look up your interviewers on Linked-in (if you know who they are).

                  • Write out some sample STAR interview answers, keeping in mind you will have a lot of different managerial layers present

                  • Ensure you dress formally as higher levels tend to care more about this

                  • Look everyone in the eye periodically

                  • Depending on culture, make sure you introduce yourself to everyone and shake their hands. This varies based on culture

                  • Have questions related to the strategic direction of the company. Your primary questions probably will be related to your job, which don't really matter to the higher level managers. Have questions they care about too, like "what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing X in the next 5 years?"

                  • Don't only address a portion of the panel. Some may be much less vocal but they are still interviewing you, don't make them feel left out.

                  • If possible, try to avoid directly facing anyone - this comes across as more adversarial. If you can sit at an angle, even if somewhat, this is a more natural/relaxed interaction.






                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Dec 17 '14 at 13:44









                  Elysian Fields♦

                  96.9k46292449




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