Much like a phone interview, panel interviews are becoming popular because of the need to stretch time over multiple tasks. Interviewing procedures are being modified so that all those involved in the hiring decision can meet, question, and later discuss each candidate.

Of all interviews, a panel interview can be the most stressful because you find yourself trying to sway several decision makers rather than one or two. Unlike that old bit of advice, try to relate to the interviewer, it can be difficult, if impossible, in a panel interview.





Bring a Cheat Sheet
Doing your best is a great way to approach this type of situation. Much as you'd prepare for any interview, you should bring a list of highlights that you'd like to mention during the interview. Your interviewing "cheat sheet" should focus on key assets you'll bring to the position. Remember, you're not writing an essay but an outline of all the key elements that need mentioning.

Take Names and Use Them
Individuals like to hear his or her name during a conversation. It's important to know who is interviewing you, so ask their names and write them down within your notes -- preferably in order of where each is seated. Don't be afraid to use their names or ask questions throughout the process.

Another great technique to utilize within a panel interview, or within any other group setting, is to cross reference the latest question with a previous one. For example if you answered a question by Jane Doe, and you can incorporate that answer into another question asked by Frank Doe, you'll start navigating the outcome of the interview. An answer might be:

"I understand why you are asking specific questions about my acquisition skills, Frank. As Jane mentioned a few minutes ago, acquisitions are a vital aspect to businesses your size and without a trained and seasoned acquisition clerk at the helm, it can cost your company money. To answer your question, and expand upon what Jane asked earlier, I ..."

Do you see where I'm going with this? This answer is now tending to the concerns of two individuals on the panel, rather than one.

Take Notes
During the process, members of the panel will mention facets that will need remembering. Just as you jotted down the name of each panel member, you can also make small notations of each person's concerns or specific questions. For example, the department manager may have focused his or her questions on specific administrative portions of the job. Adding important yet little tidbits into your thank-you letter will help set you apart from other candidates and reflect your attentiveness. The key, however, is to mark down items that are relevant to each interviewer. Although they are a team and have one common goal, each has differentiating concerns.

Make Eye Contact
It's difficult to give enough eye contact to each individual without making your head and neck look like a lawn sprinkler. Try your best to look individuals in the eye and focus on speaking to each person equally, focusing heavily towards the one that asked the question.

Unfortunately, a panel interview can be stressful for jobseekers because they feel outnumbered. It's important to remember that you are an asset to their business, and they obviously feel you're a viable candidate, or they wouldn't have scheduled the interview. Stay positive, remain calm, and answer each question thoroughly and effectively.

Note: Bonnie of Best-Interview-Strategies.com offers an additional article on the topic of Panel Interviewing that expands upon this topic further. Here's a quick view:

1. Relax. Remember that being faced by a panel of strangers (versus one) is better for you.
2. Smile. Everyone in the room will smile back and you'll all get off to a great start.
3. Greet each interviewer individually. Shake hands with each person.
4. Include everyone when answering questions. Face and make eye contact with the person who asks the question, but then extend your eye contact to everyone in the room.
5. Get their cards. Before leaving, get a business card from each person in the room. These will come in handy when it's time to send your thank-you notes. (If they don't have cards, ask for their names again if you don't remember them; jot them down. You can contact the HR person or receptionist later to get their email or mailing address.)
6. Send individual thank-you notes. Immediately send a thank-you note to each member of the interview panel, but don't make the notes identical. Make it more personal by pointing out something that person said or asked. For example, "When you asked me about my marketing experience, I forgot to mention that in addition to my three years as a marketing representative at ABC company, I also participated on several marketing focus groups while working at XYZ company."