Without preparing for a panel job interview effectively, you will not succeed at it. That’s probably why you landed here – because you are preparing for a panel job interview that’s coming up.
Are you vying for a sports job and now you’re being asked to attend a panel job interview? What the heck is a panel job interview anyways and how in the world do I prepare for it? Even if we do our best to prepare ourselves in the most appropriate way to face a job interview, the doubts and worries that assail us are a constant that is part of the whole process.
Many sport organizations use panel job interviews to vet candidates. So it’s super key that you are prepared with what to expect. For proof, be sure to check out our post on what to expect from Canada’s biggest sport organization, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE).
As if that weren’t enough, there could be the possibility of running into an interview involving multiple candidates and multiple recruiting team members. At this point, the challenge we are presented with is to be able to impress the examiners and, at the same time, beat the competition.
Be careful though, all of this must be done without looking too competitive or submissive to others. While competitiveness is a great trait to have working in sport, it’s important not to come across the wrong way during your panel job interview.
But is it possible to overcome the many anxieties associated with doing a panel job interview? Of course, it is. Preparing for your panel job interview is key. By continuing to read you will discover all the tips for facing and preparing for a panel interview.
What Is A Panel Interview?
When we talk about a panel job interview, we refer to a meeting that involves several candidates vying for the same position.
The best practical sport example of a panel job interview and what to expect can be found here in a piece we did about preparing for one with MLSE.
Basically, it is possible to come across three types of panel job interviews:
- This involves multiple interviewers and a single candidate. Usually, the committee conducting the interview is comprised of a representative from the human resources department, the recruiter and possibly an employee.
- Conversely, another example of a Panel is that formed by a single interviewer, usually the manager of the recruitment team, and a number of people ranging from two to five.
- As a third and most common option there is the one that groups the two previous types, that is a committee of selectors ready to examine a Panel of applicants.
Why Are Multiple Candidates Being Screened At The Same Time?
Although there are various forms of panel job interviews, the one most commonly used by companies is the type that involves a team of interviewers and various candidates.
There are many reasons why a company wants to use this evaluation tool in the selection process:
First, this proves to be an effective time-saving solution, especially if the firm has received a considerable number of applications for a single position.
Another reason is that by doing so the recruiter has the opportunity to gather more opinions and compare his opinions with other staff members.
A key reason for conducting panel interviews is to be able to determine which candidate has a better disposition for teamwork. Moreover, from here are also highlighted those qualities that will make it clear if the interviewee is the right match for the position and if his working attitude reflects the company policy.
Many roles involve a high level of emotional and physical tension, and must be performed under pressure in a fast-paced environment. This type of interview helps to clearly establish, from the beginning, if a candidate’s performance could be affected by the stress factor.
Preparing For Your Panel Job Interview: Post Simulation Questions And Exercises
1. What made your team work successfully?
The recruiter decides to do these simulation exercises to determine if candidates understand what are the elements that make a team cohesive and productive. To answer this question, mention what were the key factors that allowed you to work well together.
2. Who would you hire from your group and why?
An important part of being a good team member is knowing how to recognize the contribution of others. While it may seem counterproductive to you to recommend one of your competitors for the job you aspire to, the recruiter intentionally tries to put you in a difficult position, to gauge your ability to give others their merits.
Don’t give in to the temptation to belittle other candidates and, at the same time, not mention a specific strength of a candidate that you may not have. Choose a strength that you too have been shown to possess during the exercise.
3. What has been your personal contribution to improving team performance?
This question tests your ability to think and evaluate your work in a team context. Use your answer to remind the recruiter one or a couple of your strengths that make you a good team player with excellent decision-making skills.
4. Why did you find it difficult to reach the goal?
Each project has its challenges, and the best-trained team members know exactly what worked and what didn’t, so they can improve their processes in the future.
To make a good impression, don’t point the finger at any member of your team as the reason for the difficulties that were encountered during the simulation. Instead, focus on what the whole team could have done better.
5. How did you manage the stress of dealing with all the challenges that have been there?
A variant of “how do you manage stress in the workplace?”. It’s a common question in all job interviews, and the recruiter asks this question to judge whether you’ll be able to handle the pressure and pace of work if you’re hired.
Your answer must demonstrate both that you are well aware of the challenges in the workplace and that you are able to manage stress while continuing to be productive and confident.
Frequently Asked Questions In A Panel Job Interview
But what are the questions the recruiter might ask in a group interview? The following list includes general questions and those that relate to simulating situations that might actually occur at work.
The group interview could end with short individual interviews with the candidates. Here are the most frequently asked questions in group interviews:
1. How would your colleagues describe you?
The interviewer asks this question to understand your perception of yourself, compares what you say to what your referrals may or may have already said, and wants to make a prediction of how you will be perceived in the new environment.
2. How would you describe yourself?
This is a different formulation of the typical “tell me about you” question that is asked at the beginning of the interview. While it seems strategic to respond by focusing on traits, interests and experiences that can be a perfect match with what the recruiter is looking for, it’s just as important to make your response personal: Make your listeners feel they’ve learned something. Unique and interested in you as an individual.
3. Why do you want this job?
The recruiter is interested in whether you have set aside time to thoroughly review the job you are applying for and whether you have assessed whether this is a good match for you and your career goals.
4. What are you interested in our company?
Employers much prefer candidates who have made the effort to seek company-related information before taking the interview. Don’t make the mistake of going to the interview without having an idea of how the company works, the industry in which it operates, the company culture, the mission and more. That way you can talk about it during the interview and show your sincere interest in it.
5. What can you offer the company?
This is a rewording of the question “why should we hire you?”, and consequently gives you the opportunity to make a brief presentation of your qualifications, values and assets that would allow you to perform well in the role and make a great contribution to the role company.
6. Describe your career history and goals in 30 seconds
I’m sure you know your story and the professional goal that motivates you. Therefore, answering the question is not difficult, as long as you prepare your answer carefully. Tap into the most significant points of your education, training, how your career has developed and what you expect in the future.
What You Should Expect From A Manager?
During a panel job interview, the leader wants to explore all the areas that involve the different aspects of our personality. Among the main ones we find: working in a Panel, assuming leadership or working under the direct guidance of a manager. With this question, we want to know what kind of style we would like our boss to adopt with us. Needless to say, there are few questions that can put so much trouble. As always, we must try to answer satisfactorily, without going into too much detail.
How to answer: We are certainly not going to express negative feelings towards our former employer. Instead of listing a series of adjectives that a good manager should possess, we can try to explain which techniques work for us.
To begin, we could say that we feel comfortable when our boss tries to establish a personal connection, based on communication. On these foundations, it will then be easier to have an exchange of information aimed at the growth of the company. Also for the good of the company, employees tend to be more productive if they feel confident in the work they are doing, and this happens if the leader demonstrates that he has faith in them.
What criticisms do you get most often?
The recruiter wants to know everything about us, even how we react when we are criticized. Furthermore, with this question, he also wants to understand what perception we have of ourselves. But how can you respond so as not to appear as people who are constantly criticized at work?
Something must be said, since, otherwise, you could risk appearing as people who think they are perfect. One tactic to follow would be to mention our downsides that are not necessarily related to the position we want to fill.
How to answer: first of all we establish that the criticisms we receive are not continuous and that, in any case, we are working to improve ourselves and to grow professionally. Providing concrete examples to better explain what we are referring to will greatly help the recruiter to get a clearer idea of us.
If we are reprimanded for being too rigid with others, we can explain that we are working hard to give more thoughtful and constructive feedback. If, on the other hand, our team has noticed that we have difficulty speaking in public, we can say that we are addressing the problem by attending special courses to overcome this barrier. In any case, let us show ourselves ready to face any obstacle.
Best Tips To Follow
Having a panel job interview is a complex and delicate situation that needs to be managed. You should try to get noticed by the recruiter by making a good impression. Not only that, but at the same time, we must try to respect the spaces of others without bypassing anyone and without being left aside. But how can this result be achieved? Here are some tips that can help you get through this difficult interview:
Be prepared.
Preparing for a panel job interview is vital to success. To face any situation, you must always prepare yourself. In this case, take some time to gather information about the company and to study any questions that may be asked.
Be patient and respectful.
We certainly want to be noticed during the interview but, equally, we don’t want to dominate it. Therefore, you have to find the right time to talk, without interrupting others or appearing too impatient and competitive.
Know how to listen.
A very important quality to possess that is often overshadowed. To show that we know how to listen, we try to remember the names of the other candidates and the examiner and try to mention what was previously said when our turn to speak comes.
Be a leader.
During a simulation exercise, taking matters into your own hands does not necessarily mean dominating others, but worrying that everyone has a specific task to do.
Be yourself.
You can’t try to be someone else; you always have to stay true to yourself. If we are shy people we don’t have to prove otherwise. The important thing is to listen carefully and answer the most important questions with interest and judgment.
We have formulated these tips specifically for you to pass a panel job interview, but these can be followed during any type of interview. We remind you that the main ones are: cognitive, motivational, English and telephone interviews.
Impress the recruiter
As you will be evaluated in a group interview primarily for your skills to work well with others, be confident and equally respectful of others. Make sure you make a good impression and get noticed, but equally don’t try to dominate the interview.
When you see that there is an opportunity to talk, do it calmly, but don’t interrupt other people or show impatience and competitiveness.
After the interview is over, be sure to send a thank you email to the recruiter (or recruiters). Try to mention something specific about the interview to make the recruiter remember you; both this and taking the time to thank the recruiter will help you make a good impression and differentiate yourself from other candidates.