Group Interviews are becoming popular in today’s job market. Regardless of the size of the organization, whether it may be a startup or an MNC, recruiters are making Group interviews as part of their selection process.
Interviewers can select their candidates such on performance under stress, ability to get along with people, and the ability to adapt to the company’s culture. Group interviews proved to be effective in analyzing all these qualities and becoming a favorite method for companies for the selection process.
The real question for candidates is, how to excel in Group Interviews? What are the applicable strategies to be a stand-out candidate? In this article, we are going to discuss Group interviews and some tips to stand out and make a good impression.
Group Interview – Definition and Process
Group Interview is an interview technique where multiple candidates are interviewed at a time. This technique is used to analyze skills such as Team Work, Problem-solving, and Communication Skills.
Group Interview involves making a team out of candidates and assessing them with a problem. The candidates are told to discuss the problem and come up with a solution. Companies that need customer interaction and quick problem-solving skills use such types of interviews. The recruiter will assess everyone and make a selection. However, it is important to stand out in such a scenario and make a good impression to get selected.
15 Tips To Stand Out and Make a Good Impression in Group Interviews
Here are some tips you can inculcate in Group Interviews and be “The One“:
1. Be Prepared
Even though it involves multiple candidates, it is an interview. Understand that you are going to face competition within the room. Prepare mentally and make yourself ready for the interview.
You will be informed prior about the group interview, hence prepare for common group interview questions that are available online. Gather the necessary information on how this going to work.
2. Learn About the Role and Company
Knowing about the company & their work and job & the demands of the job can give a lot of input before you are speaking. If you are aware of the skills they are looking for, those skills can be implemented in your talks.
Also, group interview questions asked, “Why do you have this role /company?”. Taking a step in understanding the company can create a greater edge and make you a little more worthy for companies to invest in. Hence, make notes regarding the job description and work on it.
3. Practice Self Introduction
A group interview will always start with the candidate’s introduction. As the self-introduction can be your first response in the interview, it is wise to make a good “first impression”. Practice a self-introduction before the interview. Make your introduction short and precise. Highlight the skills you possess which will align with the job description.
4. Take time in “Interview Tips”
After all, it is an interview. Make sure you follow regular interview tips such as dressing formally, maintaining hygiene, making eye contact while speaking, etc. These are the things every interviewer will look into and they need to be addressed well.
Even though there are specific skills for the interviewer in looking in a Group Interview, following basic interview tips can overall completeness to your performance.
5. Gain Knowledge about Ongoing Issues
Know about the issues that are going on in the world or the country. These can be additional points in your answers and create an impression that you are in today’s world. Also, search about the topics that can indirectly affect the type of job you are going to.
For example, if your topic of discussion is “Climate Change”, you must have enough facts to back up your opinion. Famous quotations, survey results, paper articles, etc. can be given to authenticate your answer.
6. Maintain Punctuality
Arriving a little earlier than other candidates can make a difference. You will have enough time to understand the environment and know about other candidates. If you are having an offline interview, take time and look around the company. You will find enough input regarding their ideologies and work culture. You can add those points to your answers.
7. Greet Everyone
Professionalism is one aspect that no one can ignore. Maintaining dignity and greeting everyone with a good shakehand can always be a major plus point. Take time and greet everyone in the room, including recruiters and the team members. A good shake hand can also add to this. Giving a firm single-hand handshake with a smile on your face can be a great way to start.
8. Deliver Confidence
While taking a group interview, your confidence can make you shine among the others. Be confident while you are speaking. Make your voice such that everyone in the room can hear clearly. It is also important to maintain good body language. Body language in Group interviews can create a huge impact. Sit up straight and engagingly lean a bit. Don’t slouch in the chair while others are speaking.
9. Active Listening
Active listening can help in gaining additional points to speak. Be attentive and listen to every question that is asked, whether it is to you or other candidates. Maintain a smile on your face and nod whenever you hear an effective point.
Moreover, group interviews are mostly conducted for roles that require customer interaction. Hence, it is important to show the art of listening.
10. Support Other Candidate’s Statements
Being supportive can be a part of teamwork. If you feel that opinion is genuine, there is nothing wrong with appreciation. You can also use the statements of other candidates in your answers. This way, you can add value to your statements and also prove that you support others’ work. This also proves that you are attentive during the entire interview and actively listening to others’ answers.
11. Include Everyone
Making everyone involved is a leadership quality that cannot be overlooked. There can be times when a few candidates are not confident enough to answer. Ask for opinions, encourage them to speak, and show that their opinions matter in the group.
As many Group Interviews select multiple candidates, this can be a great start in building further relationships. Such inclusive behavior can add a lot of points and gain additional weight.
12. Try to Speak First
Once in a while, make a step forward and be the first to answer the question. A first answer will always catch the attention of the recruiter.
If you feel the conversation is going off the topic, don’t hesitate to speak out. Active Speaking can be a major skill required for some job roles that conduct group interviews. Also, don’t be the first to answer every question.
13. Don’t Over Speak
It is important to grab every chance to speak, however, until it looks like you are overspeaking someone. Control the urge to speak in between and let the speaker make his points clear. It is also important not to be rude while discussing something. You must add your arguments while being polite and maintaining professionalism.
14. Ask Questions
If you follow along with the interview, you can come up with brilliant questions. Also, if you have enough time to understand the role and research the company, you can have plenty of questions to ask. Also, don’t ask irrelevant questions. This can leave you embarrassed among others and leave a bad impression.
15. Leave with a Thank You
The last impression of the selection is by greeting everyone at the end. Highlight a single point that you like about each of your fellow candidates and the interviewer at the end.
Additionally, take time and write back an email regarding how you feel the interview went and what makes this interview a better experience. Leaving the last impression with such notable behavior can be a major plus point.
Conclusion
Good preparation can help a lot in achieving success in an interview. However, performance under stress while you sit on “the Chair” matters a lot. Boost yourself with stress management skills and take mocks.
Group Interviews can be faced with enough communication and confidence. Understand the group dynamics and present yourself. To stand out and make a step ahead of others, you have to make a step more effort.
FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between Group interviews and Panel interviews?
Answer:
A group Interview is where multiple candidates are interviewed simultaneously for a job role whereas a panel Interview is where multiple recruiters interview a single candidate.
Q2. What skills should be presented at Group Interview?
Answer:
Recruiters look for the following skills in Group Interviews
- Presentation Skills
- Team Work
- Communication Skills
- Problem-Solving, etc.
Q3. What are frequent Group Interview questions?
Answer:
Questions that are imposed frequently in Group Interviews:
- Describe Yourself.
- State a few skills that this job requires.
- How will your colleagues/Managers/ Customers describe you?
