What is the group interview, What is it for, and Why do recruiters use it?
A group interview is when interview consists of one interviewing multiple candidates at the same time. It usually follows a method where the interviewer moves from one candidate to another by asking the same question or asking random questions to different candidates.
Group interview is suitable to assess personality skills that suit outgoing jobs like sales or managerial positions. It has a quick pace and usually focuses on generic traits rather than personal details.
There is a difference between group interviews and panel interviews. A panel group interview is the other way around. It is when one candidate is interviewed by several organizations’ members.
The 10 things you Should Never do at a Group Interview
The panel interview will consist of representatives from different departments. It is relevant to roles that will work closely with different teams. Each type requires some interview skills that will help you master the interview and remain confident. You would better spend some time preparing for the expected group interview questions. Let’s dig into our Top Ten NOs in a Group interview
1. Attend the Interview Unprepared
The most important thing to prepare for the group interview is to do your research. You should showcase your skills and talk about your achievements without hesitation or long pauses. Most other candidates will prepare answers for the most common questions and you should not let them progress in the group interview while you are lacking confidence.
If you feel you are in control of your skills and experiences, you should then do your research about the company’s information, position requirements, and suitable soft skills for group interviews. You should be aware not to disrespect anyone in the interview room. You should greet everyone quickly and listen to each candidate’s answer. Avoiding these mistakes will prove you are a good team player and respectful to your colleagues.
2. Showing up Late to the Group Interview
It would be very crucial to be punctual in your interview. While being on time is important to all types of interviews, being late to a group interview affects your image of the interviewer and other candidates as well. If all candidates show up on time and you arrive late, the interview has probably started and you might not be able to attend it at all. Make it your first goal to reach on time to be calm and avoid being stressed in your interview.
3. Talk Over Other Candidates
While you might feel enthusiastic to talk about your skills and discuss your experiences, it is important to wait for your turn and let others speak freely. You should not answer a question directed to another candidate unless the question is then directed to you.
You must not talk or make any noise while another candidate is talking. If you have more valid answers to a question, wait for your turn and avoid commenting on a previous answer. Rather, you need to give elaboration from your point of view.
Talking over people in the discussion will not prove your leadership skills or your confidence. This will hurt your qualifications as the recruiter will consider this disrespectful.
Group interviews increase the competitive nature of the interviews as each one is trying to prove themselves worthy of the position. However, realizing the suitable moments you can step in to talk and prove a point will be crucial in your acceptance.
4. Be Passive During Group Interview
While avoiding talking over people, be sure not to get lost in the interview. It is all about seizing your moment to be positive and showcase your skills.
If you find others trying to take control throughout the interview, you should not feel intimated or let them go on with their attempts. You should respectfully stop them to have your chance to talk.
Don’t lose concentration due to the heated nature of the group interview. You need to pay maximum attention to each question and all the answers from other candidates. Maintain moderate eye contact and be alert to the interviewer, as they might suddenly ask you a different question.
5. Get Too Informal
You should better be formal during interviews. Group interviews include more people than the usual interviews. You should follow the etiquette of attending group interviews.
These etiquettes dictate that you can get comfortable around the interview room by taking off your coat, for example. However, you must not refer to other candidates in a fun over-friendly way. After all, you are all strangers to each other.
Group interviews are all about discussing professional skills and experiences. Avoiding talking about personal matters reflects a professional attitude towards the recruiter and other candidates.
You can briefly talk about your hobbies, if the conversation allows you to, and then move into discussing your skills. Remember, the time of the group interview is limited and you need to make use of your time to prove yourself instead of talking about irrelevant points.
6. Discuss Salary Early in the Interview
The recruiter might talk about the salary with all the candidates in the group interview. You would better wait for them to initiate the salary discussion instead of bringing it up by yourself.
7. Talk Poorly about Previous Employer
When you need to talk about previous experiences, you should remain positive about the companies you have joined before. While you might have faced a bad experience in the past, you can discuss it in a positive tone and how it was a learning experience.
8. Avoid Asking Question
You should prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview that show your interest in the position and the company. Not preparing questions to discuss with your recruiter can leave a poor impression and lower your chances of getting accepted for the job.
9. Refer your Recruiter to your Resume
If the interviewer asks you a question that you have already mentioned in the resume, you should not tell them to check the resume. The interview is not about the resume, it is about open discussion and they would usually ask questions that you have clarified in your resume but you should elaborate on them more during the interview.
10. Forget about Body Language
You should enter the interview without focusing on stress. Clear up your mind and get yourself ready. That will show in your body language and will be visible to your interviewer.
To Sum the thing:
Avoiding all these mistakes will ensure you will master the interview and boost your chances of getting accepted. You can then focus on best practices for interviews that will guarantee you will pass any type of interview.
