Learning how to prepare for a phone interview can feel a bit unusual. While the fundamental approach is similar to any job interview, there are a few hurdles (and advantages) to be aware of when it comes to calls. This list of phone interview tips will help you leave a great impression and move on […]
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The interview is one component of the job search process that most people love to hate. While it serves as a sign from the employer that you are being strongly considered for a position, it also can be a source of angst for candidates who fear they’ll make mistakes that will cut them out of the running.
A great way to overcome the anxiety interviews produce is to begin feeling good about the process. Need help getting there? Here are five ways to build confidence for a job interview.
One great way to build your confidence going into the interview is by conducting plenty of research on the company and the position that you’re going after. A common question interviewers ask is, “Do you know anything about our company?” Most times, candidates give vague answers, orâin a worst-case scenarioâanswer, “No.”
If you’re able to share the company’s background information and showcase knowledge of its future goals for the position in question, you’ll have an opportunity to impress the interviewer.
By understanding how to answer common interview questions, particularly behavioral interview questions, you’ll build a lot of confidence going into the job interview.
Another great way to build confidence for a job interview is to practice before the big day. You can do this by answering questions in front of a mirror to read your own facial expressions and body language, or you could have a friend help you with a mock interview.
It’s also great to find a professional outfit you feel comfortable wearing. Feeling good in your clothes and knowing you’ve fully prepared can work wonders for boosting your confidence before a job interview.
An important step in preparing for your interview is being able to recall your own career history and discuss prospective goals with the company and in your professional life as a whole. But, as you look back over your career, be sure to research yourself online to ensure there are no skeletons on the internet that could be brought up in your interview.
Remember, companies conduct background checks often via search engines, so it’s up to you to ensure your social media profiles are professional and/or private.
It’s normal to feel some anxiety before a job interview, but you can take steps to minimize those nerves. We hope these tips help you build confidence for your next job interview and shine in the hiring process!
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.
âWhat is your leadership style?â is an interview question that can easily trip you up if youâre not prepared. And for many of us, the answer to this question requires a bit of professional soul-searching. This guide will teach you how to describe your leadership style in a job interview, and make a great impression […]
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âDo you want to tell us anything else about you?â is an interview question that trips up more applicants than it should. This is unfortunate because itâs straightforward and a great opportunity to cover anything important thatâs been missed! This resource helps you answer this question, figure out what to add, and provides some great […]
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âWhat are you most proud of?â is an interview question that many job-seekers donât know how to answer. It seems straightforward on the surface, but the way you approach your response can matter a great deal! This guide will teach you how to explain what youâre most proud of as a professional, in a way […]
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Being familiar with the most common panel interview questions will help you make a fantastic impression and move on to the next phase of the interview process. This guide covers panel interview questions youâll likely face, how to answer them, and what questions you should ask in return! What is a Panel Interview? Panel interviews […]
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âWhat do you like to do for fun?â is a simple interview question that many job-seekers overlook. But they donât realize that their answer carries a lot of weight! This resource will cover why interviewers want to know what you do for fun, and teach you how to come up with a great answer. Why […]
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Being prepared for the most common peer interview questions is essential if you want to leave a great impression. Peer interviews are unfamiliar to many job-seekers, so itâs important to do what you can to be confident and ready! This list of peer interview questions will help you ace this interview and increase your chance […]
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Itâs only natural to wonder how long job interviews last, and if the length of time indicates a good or bad outcome. In fact, itâs one of the most common questions job-seekers ask about the interview process! This guide will go over how long interviews last and how you can use this information to prepare […]
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Had a call for a group or panel interview recently? While you might be thrilled to make it to this stage of the hiring process, the mere thought of fielding not one but a whole team of interviewers can be enough to put your stomach in knots.
However, the reason most employers conduct panel interviews isn’t to intimidate you; rather, it’s a time-saving way to meet with people that will likely interact with you in the new job, and gather their impressions all at once. So, when you stride into a panel or group interview, remember that the team is there to learn about you and your value-add, NOT to interrogate you or make you uncomfortable.
These five tips can help you feel more in control of the process while facing a group of interviewers in a panel interviewâwith a professional, enthusiastic demeanor that helps win the job.
Upon starting the interview, get each person’s name (ask for their business card or jot down the name), and then look at each person as you introduce yourself. This will help to break the ice and establish a connection with all of your interviewers.
While fielding questions, avoid staring at a single person (nothing makes you look more “frozen” than doing this!). Instead, make it a point to relax, smile, and open your gaze to the others in the room. Even if a single member of the group asks you a particular question, look around at the others while you answer it. Doing so will help you project a confident image and build rapport with the entire panel.
While one of your interviewers might take your answer the first time, you can almost expect someone else to either ask for clarificationâor ask it again, later in the interview. Why? Because just like our verbal abilities many of us have different listening styles.
What is clear to one panel participant may need further explanation for another person. In addition, each panelist comes to the interview with a different agenda. You can expect a prospective peer to be interested in your technical or analytical skills, for example, while the boss might be more curious about why your last job was so short in length.
You may also find yourself repeating information from earlier interviews. This is perfectly normal in the context of a multi-interview hiring process, so avoid coming across as impatient or noting that you’ve answered this query before.
Within most panel interviews, it becomes obvious very quickly who is on “your side” and who still hasn’t made up his or her mind. While it may be comforting to direct your answers and gaze toward the interviewer who seems more open to your responses, you’re better off tackling the naysayer first. Why? Because winning over the person most likely to reject you shows you have the ability to read the audience, as well as problem-solve on your feet.
Most employers are looking for leaders who will challenge issues head-on, ask numerous questions, and hone in on the thorniest problems first. If you respond well to someone who throws challenges your way, you’ll come across as an unflappable professional ready to take on the demands of the job.
In addition, most panel interviewers convene after the interview to discuss the candidate and their impressions. If you’ve won over the toughest member of the group, the others may throw their support behind him or her as well.
Interviewers, like anyone else, tend to feel more comfortable (and perhaps bold) in a group. Therefore, you can almost count on being asked a question that might not be posed to you in a one-on-one situation. Of course, you’ll want to prepare for your interview by pulling out three to five “power stories” that demonstrate your abilities to perform the job.
Arming yourself with these anecdotes will give you the ability to answer numerous behavioral interview questions common in both single and multi-interviewer situations. But if there’s any question or situation you would feel awkward explaining, prepare and practice a set of answers to it prior to your panel interview. This way, you won’t feel a sense of dread when the question finally comes up, and you’ll be better able to handle any curveballs thrown your way.
At the conclusion of your panel interview, thank everyone personally, and gather business cards if you didn’t already do so. Then, as you’re sitting in your car post-interview, write down specific highlights from the interview to include in your thank-you notes, which should be sent within 24 hours after completing the panel interview.
You’ll gain the advantage of having the interview fresh in your mind, and will score points for your promptness and attention to professional courtesy.
In summary, a panel interview is nothing to dread, especially since it offers an opportunity to establish rapport with your potential new co-workers and bosses. Arm yourself with a stack of success stories, answers to tough questions, thank-you notes, and a smile, and you’ll be on your way to a job offer.
Need more help with your job search?
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.
âWho inspires you?â is a fairly broad interview question that gives you a lot of wiggle room with your answer. There are so many fascinating and inspirational people out there, so who do you choose? This resource will help you come up with a great answer when picking your biggest inspiration, so you can use […]
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âWhat is most important to you in your next position?â is an interview question that comes up all the time, but many applicants arenât prepared for it. This guide will help you structure an answer that will leave a great impression, and improve your chance of getting the job. Why Interviewers Ask “What is Most […]
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