Group Interview Questions and Interviewing Tips
What is a group interview and how does it work? There are two types of
group interviews, and the interview process will depend on which type
you're invited to participate in.
Types of Group Interviews
The first type is when multiple interviewers (sometimes called a group or panel) meet with and interview a candidate. The panel of interviewers typically includes a Human Resources representative, the manager, and possibly co-workers from the department where you would be working, if hired.
The second type is when multiple candidates are interviewed at the same time by one interviewer (typically the hiring manager). In this scenario, you and other candidates would be interviewed together, in a group.
Sometimes, a group interview combines both types of interviews: you might be interviewed by a group, by a panel of interviewers.
Why a Group Interview?
Employers hold group interviews for a number of reasons. Firstly, group interviews with multiple candidates are very efficient: they allow the interviewer to conduct multiple interviews at the same time.
The interview might also include multiple interviewers as a way to efficiently introduce job seekers to all the people he or she would be working with.
Companies may conduct group interviews because they show which candidates work well with others. A group interview will also show an employer which candidates will fit well with the company culture.
Jobs involving high stress, fast-paced work, or customer interaction also commonly require group interviews. If you perform well during a stressful interview, you may be more apt to perform well doing a job that is stressful.
What to Expect During the Interview
There are a number of formats for group interviews.
For an interview with multiple interviewers and one candidate, each interviewer will take turns asking the candidate questions.
There is more variety in an interview with multiple candidates. Typically, the interview will involve the interviewer/s asking each candidate group questions, as well as individual questions. The group interview might even end with everyone having brief individual interviews.
The interview may also involve a work simulation or problem-solving exercise, in which the candidates have to work together as a team. This gives the employer a chance to see if you can work well on a team project, if you are a natural leader, and if you get along well with others. Sometimes, the group work will end with a team discussion or presentation.
Group Interview Questions
Below are questions one might be asked during a group interview. The list includes general questions an interviewer (or panel of interviewers) might ask a candidate, as well as questions an interviewer would ask regarding a work-simulation exercise.
Group Interview Questions: General Questions
• How would your colleagues describe you?
• How would you describe yourself?
• Why do you want this job?
• What interested you in our company?
• What do you have to offer the company?
• How do you work in a team?
• Describe your career history and future goals in 30 seconds.
Questions Asked After Work-Simulation Exercises
• What made this team work successfully?
• Who would you hire from your group? Why?
• What was your personal contribution to the team's performance?
• Why did this team struggle to accomplish the objective?
• How did you deal with the stress created by meeting the challenges?
How to Stand Out
• Be confident and respectful. You want to make sure your voice is heard during the interview, but you also do not want to dominate the interview. When you see an opportunity to speak, calmly do so, but do not cut other people off or appear too impatient and competitive.
• Be a good listener. An important part of working with a team is being a good listener. Listen carefully to what both the interviewers and your fellow candidates are saying (use body language to signal your listening). When you answer a question, refer back to what the person before you said, which shows you were listening. Try to quickly learn (and say) the names of the candidates and the interviewers, which will further demonstrate your listening skills.
• Be a leader. If you are working on a team project, find an opportunity to lead. This does not mean you should steamroll your group. Leading can be as simple as including everyone, and making sure everyone has a task. If you reflect on the project with the interviewer, be sure to give credit to your teammates.
Read more | thebalance.com
Types of Group Interviews
The first type is when multiple interviewers (sometimes called a group or panel) meet with and interview a candidate. The panel of interviewers typically includes a Human Resources representative, the manager, and possibly co-workers from the department where you would be working, if hired.
The second type is when multiple candidates are interviewed at the same time by one interviewer (typically the hiring manager). In this scenario, you and other candidates would be interviewed together, in a group.
Sometimes, a group interview combines both types of interviews: you might be interviewed by a group, by a panel of interviewers.
Why a Group Interview?
Employers hold group interviews for a number of reasons. Firstly, group interviews with multiple candidates are very efficient: they allow the interviewer to conduct multiple interviews at the same time.
The interview might also include multiple interviewers as a way to efficiently introduce job seekers to all the people he or she would be working with.
Companies may conduct group interviews because they show which candidates work well with others. A group interview will also show an employer which candidates will fit well with the company culture.
Jobs involving high stress, fast-paced work, or customer interaction also commonly require group interviews. If you perform well during a stressful interview, you may be more apt to perform well doing a job that is stressful.
What to Expect During the Interview
There are a number of formats for group interviews.
For an interview with multiple interviewers and one candidate, each interviewer will take turns asking the candidate questions.
There is more variety in an interview with multiple candidates. Typically, the interview will involve the interviewer/s asking each candidate group questions, as well as individual questions. The group interview might even end with everyone having brief individual interviews.
The interview may also involve a work simulation or problem-solving exercise, in which the candidates have to work together as a team. This gives the employer a chance to see if you can work well on a team project, if you are a natural leader, and if you get along well with others. Sometimes, the group work will end with a team discussion or presentation.
Group Interview Questions
Below are questions one might be asked during a group interview. The list includes general questions an interviewer (or panel of interviewers) might ask a candidate, as well as questions an interviewer would ask regarding a work-simulation exercise.
Group Interview Questions: General Questions
• How would your colleagues describe you?
• How would you describe yourself?
• Why do you want this job?
• What interested you in our company?
• What do you have to offer the company?
• How do you work in a team?
• Describe your career history and future goals in 30 seconds.
Questions Asked After Work-Simulation Exercises
• What made this team work successfully?
• Who would you hire from your group? Why?
• What was your personal contribution to the team's performance?
• Why did this team struggle to accomplish the objective?
• How did you deal with the stress created by meeting the challenges?
How to Stand Out
• Be confident and respectful. You want to make sure your voice is heard during the interview, but you also do not want to dominate the interview. When you see an opportunity to speak, calmly do so, but do not cut other people off or appear too impatient and competitive.
• Be a good listener. An important part of working with a team is being a good listener. Listen carefully to what both the interviewers and your fellow candidates are saying (use body language to signal your listening). When you answer a question, refer back to what the person before you said, which shows you were listening. Try to quickly learn (and say) the names of the candidates and the interviewers, which will further demonstrate your listening skills.
• Be a leader. If you are working on a team project, find an opportunity to lead. This does not mean you should steamroll your group. Leading can be as simple as including everyone, and making sure everyone has a task. If you reflect on the project with the interviewer, be sure to give credit to your teammates.
Read more | thebalance.com