Ways to face panel interviews... R.C. Sharma

The basic premise, whether you are facing one interviewer or 21 is the same - get a conversation going where the employers can get to know you and vice versa.

The company's top brass and supervisors are teamed up so that everyone involved in the selection decision can meet, ask questions and then select the best candidate on the established parameters.

While this may seem like a deliberate attempt to unnerve you, they are only interested in judging how you interact with different people and how you express/behave under pressure. So, interview is a test of your self-confidence and nerves. It is a direct judgement of your abilities and capabilities.

In fact, this form of time-efficient interviewing is becoming increasingly common, especially for higher positions. Therefore, preparing yourself to face both - an individual and a panel interview - will ensure that you never get caught off-guard.

Here are some useful tips to make your panel interview a success.

Get the basics right

Prepare as you would for any interview by studying the job description, researching the company, practicing answers with your friends and preparing meaningful questions. The queries posed will be more or less the same as in a one-on-one interview, but brace yourself to be bombarded with questions from every side. Also, carry multiple copies of your resume to distribute to every member.

Some variation

In the traditional one-on-one interviewing style, the focus is on building a rapport with the interviewer. But when it comes to facing a committee/board, this focus goes right out of the window, as it is quite difficult to establish a personal connection with each panelist. Also, this is more formal, organised and impersonal without any place for getting to know small talk. The panel will jump in with interviewing questions straight away.

Visually engage all

You cannot afford to get tunnel vision and focus on one/few panel members, no matter how charming or friendly they may seem, that is, not if you want to blow the interview miserably. So, when an interviewer asks you a question, respond initially to that person, but do not forget to acknowledge other interviewers with a comfortable level of eye contact. Slowly move from looking one person in the eye to the other so as to speak to each person equally. The cardinal rule is to visually engage everyone irrespective of seniority or location in the room.

Keep a list of questions

Carry a list of points that you want to mention and questions you want to put forth in the interview.

Discreetly make small notes of members' specific questions, differentiating concerns and facets mentioned by them. This will help you remember what each person is interested in and respond accordingly.

As celebrated author and mentor, Carole Martin says, "Remember each person has an agenda - it is up to you to zero in on that interest and make the most of it."

Also, cross reference your answers with previous queries to tend to the concerns of more than one interviewer and thus derive better outcome.

Observe the set-up

The `inquisitors' may play off each other to draw out the kind of person you are. For example, one may be kind and gentle, while the other is hostile, pushy and unresponsive, or they may confusingly take turns at each.

Don't be confused by these tactics and take the initiative to engage everyone by directing questions of your own.

Treat all equally

Never make the mistake of favouring one interviewer over another with your time or attention. Treat everyone equally and try to impress all of them. Calmly and comfortably take in one question and one interviewer at a time, but even when answering one interviewer' s question, be conscious of how the others (say from HR, finance and marketing) may interpret it.

Go for maximum appeal by offering something specific to each and make your comments of relevance to the entire panel.

As a interview coach, Alison Gill, advises, "Think through how best you can articulately describe your experiences in a way that will appeal to the different people on the panel. Talk about specific examples.... "

Above all, be cool, confident, calm and collected. Develop clarity on your objectives. Be clear on your strengths. Do not use ambiguous terminology like `may be', `could be', `I think', `I am not sure', etc. It reveals hesitation and lack of confidence.

The ability to articulate is vital for an interview. It is useless to be knowledgeable about your subjects and have a long list of qualifications, if you are unable to answer a few simple questions about yourself and your work, without fumbling and mumbling. Offering cogent arguments and logical thinking are significant pointers of your personality.

Do thank your interviewers politely before you leave and leave the interview room with dignity and grace. Don't look back.

A well-planned strategy, sound preparation, suitable dress, good grooming and self-confidence poised composure will surely pave your way to success.