Group Interview

by Stephanie Blye

A group interview is anything but amusing and it could even get worse. A lot worse. Imagine a group of candidates, each of them competing for the same position you have applied for, all of them part of a risky and stressful "competitive interview". RELAX! There are few companies who would have their candidates selection through a group interview. But even so, you still have a role to play.

More and more companies use the group interview in order to see how the candidates react in relationship with prospective colleagues and this is due to the critical state of the work environment and team work nowadays. Most of the times, the group interview implies the presence of people from various departments of the company - for example a person who deals with recruiting, a potential supervisor or a future co-worker.

How to survive a group interview?

Nobody likes surprises.

So don't be surprised by a group interview! Whenever you establish an interview with an employer, ask whether you would be meeting one person or a group. Ask for the name ad position of the person(s) as well. This will enable you to make some researches before even showing up at the interview (the company's web site is the best source for you to find this sort of info). If you know something about each person you will meet you will feel more confident and prepared to face them.

What if "the dog ate your homework"?

The worst scenario: you wasn't expecting a group interview and now you find yourself sitting in front of a gathering of people. First, take a deep breath. Relax. Be calm and friendly. Greet every interviewer at a time. Take time and shake hands with each of them. Pay attention and repeat their names each time you say "Hello". This will help you remember them later on.

Before leaving the group interview, make sure you take a business card from each interviewer. This is going to help you the moment you want to send them the thank you letter after the interview.

Group therapy

In order to handle the pressure in a group interview, you need to have certain abilities. The first thing you should take into account is to address yourself to a group as to a single person and in the same time to consider each person in that group as a unique individual. Keep eye contact with every person in the room. Look at each person in the eye when she asks you a question, then, while you are providing her with an answer, look at the other ones, one at a time. Try to maintain an equilibrium in the amount of attention you offer each individual in front of you. Try as you hard as you can to make each of them feel important.

MUST REMEMBER!

If you feel you're freezing of during the interview, just remember to:

• - smile - it is really contagious;
• - be neuter - don't be tempted into choosing "one side". Interviewers use this strategy all the time;
• - communicate with each member of the group - avoid interruptions;
• - try to make a connection between all opinions in order to create a general one.

Think about the group interview as an opportunity to consolidate your position. You can shine not in front of a single person, but in front of an entire team!