Group Interviews are an especially stressful way to interview for a position. Not only do you have to demonstrate why you are the best fit for the job, you have to do it while your competition is in the room doing their best to outshine you. But if you know what an employer is attempting to achieve with a group interview and arrive well prepared, the challenges of trying to stand out from within a group can be used to your advantage.
Companies commonly conduct group interviews to assess the teamwork and interpersonal skills of candidates. They want to see how the interviewees interact, how they work together as a team, and who brings what skills to the table. Prepare for your interview with these assumptions in mind, and then shape how you behave at the interview to best demonstrate to the hiring manager that you have the desired qualities.
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How to Prepare for a Group Interview
Just as with any other type of interview, solid preparation is one of the best advantages you can give yourself. Employers will notice when you have put serious time and effort in before showing up. “I like to gauge how prepared someone is for the interview itself,” says GreenPal CEO Bryan Clayton, adding, “This shows me they take initiative as to how they can drive the business forward, something we look for in every new team member.” He looks for future employees who can demonstrate how much research they have done on the company and the current business environment, and can articulate how they could contribute to the company’s success. The more advanced preparation you put in to the interview, the more you’ll stand out against other, less-prepared candidates.
Make an effort to arrive at the interview site early. This will allow you to get your bearings, and may offer you chance for some one-on-one time with the hiring managers or other candidates. David Waldren, author of Hire ? Train ? Monitor ? Motivate, suggests seating yourself front and center in the interview room. “Being clearly visible to the hiring organization’s onsite representatives is paramount.“