How to Ace the Panel Interview

Over the years many interview formats have evolved. Panel interview is one of the more traditional ways of interviewing candidates when they have reached a certain stage of selection in the process for more senior positions. A panel interview design consists of creating an assembly line of worthy candidates and bringing them in front a panel of several interviewers—typically three to nine, sometimes even more—and then making a final selection, following the panel screening, sometimes with one more round of a 1:1 interview with the decision-maker.

The only interview format more awkward, intimidating, and difficult to self-calibrate is the One-way interview, where a company puts you in front of a camera, gives you a list of selected questions presented to you as you face the camera, and are expected to talk into the camera as if it is the interviewer asking you those questions.

I may write another blog about the One-way interview, but in this blog, I am going to focus on the Panel interview and provide some insights into how to make this format work for you.

The Dynamic of a Panel Interview

Panel interviews are orchestrated to save employers the time it takes to screen many worthy candidates one by one. Worthy candidates are those that have gone through some level of initial screenings, especially by a recruiter and someone in the chain of command where the incumbent would be working. For senior or responsible roles lining up executive-level interviewers is often logistically difficult for companies with all their travel schedules, commitments, and priorities. However, when a panel interview is scheduled all key executives are expected to be assembled for the panel and all the candidates are expected to be lined up to face them in an assembly-line fashion, with fixed panel time for each candidate and sometimes even a fixed set of questions by the panel to “rationalize” the selection process. Yet, despite this design benefit, panel interviews pose some challenges for candidates that are due to this unique format.

So, what are those challenges?

Panel Design and Challenges:

Here is a list of challenges unique to the panel design:

1. In a panel the range of interviewer levels can vary widely. Even if the variations in the level or titles of those on the panel are not that varied, there is always a tendency for some panelists to show-off by asking trick questions, by trapping a candidate, or being cryptic about their intent in asking a question (as if they have some agenda that only others in the panel can sniff out). This type of dynamic in a panel can put the candidate at a disadvantage.
2. The other problem is that of your air time. Since each panelist must get their own air time and since the total time for each candidate is fixed because of the assembly-line design of the panel interview, the candidate must be very time conscious of how they respond to the questions. If you do not manage your time and your responses go well over “allocated” time, there is always the danger of being cut-off before you get the punch line of your response.
3. Sometimes not all invited panelists can be physically in the same room, so they join in by video, conference call, or text. This makes it difficult to manage the exchange, particularly when technology gets in the way of a smooth interaction. This puts the candidate at a disadvantage.
4. If the panel interview is conducted in a large room (Board Room) the setting itself can be intimidating. In such a setting it is difficult to build any level of intimacy with the panel, unlike when you are in a 1:1 setting, where building rapport with your interviewer is much easier.
5. It is difficult to keep track of who asked what question, especially if the panel is large (>five panelists).

These are just some of the challenges that a candidate must deal with when facing a panel.

So, what are some of the strategies and tactics you can use to make the best impression throughout your panel interview. Here are some tips I’d like to offer:

1. Since you are one of the many lined up to face the interview panel you must do everything within your power to make your presence memorable and differentiated. This is because after seeing 5-8 candidates over the course of the day it is difficult for the panelist to remember each candidate, even after they look at their notes. It is often difficult for most people to connect their notes to the physical memory of the respective candidate. So, wear something that differentiates you from others. Even, say something memorable as you speak or enter the room.For men wearing a bold-colored tie with a matching pocket square can work, as also donning a small flower in your jacket’s buttonhole. Anything that is tasteful that distinguishes will do. For women a bright scarf or some part of your wardrobe that stands out, without being too loud or offensive, can work.
2. As you enter the room stand straight, smile, and look from one end of the room to the other across the panel and continue smiling. Raise your right hand to say Hi and announce your name if the host does not call you out as you enter.
3. Stay standing until asked to be seated. Say Good morning (or any such appropriate greeting) and continue smiling. Then wait for the host to tell you what the process is. Once that is out of the way say, I want to thank every member of this panel for coming to interview me today because I know how valuable each of your time is. Now, I am ready to respond to your questions, and continue smiling.
   Ask if taking notes is OK and then get your notepad and pen out from your briefcase and put the briefcase down on the floor, NOT on the table next to you. Do NOT use a tablet or a laptop to take notes. Do not pull out a recording device to record the interview. Switch your mobile phone OFF. Do not lean back in your chair, but sit straight with your hands open, not folded.
4. Take enough copies of your résumé printed on résumé stock (40# stock) and ask if everyone has a copy. Send a stack around if they do not.
5. As the host announces each panelist draw a chart on the notepad and write each name in the same sequence as they are seated in front of you.
6. Once the questioning starts, paraphrase each question after pausing for a few seconds, once the question is asked. Feel free to torque the question in a way that benefits how you can respond to it positively. For example, if someone asks: So, what are some of your weaknesses? Respond by saying, Before I respond to my weaknesses, let me first tell you what my strengths are relevant to this job. Then continue stating your strengths by opening your fingers from your right hand (1, 2, 3). Do not use the word “weakness” again, but say, Now that you know my strengths, let me tell you what I’m always watchful about….. Then say what that is.
7. As you respond to a panelist’s question keep looking at them and then move your gaze to other members and see if anyone is looking puzzled, uncomfortable, or annoyed by how you are responding. Keep looking at them more intently as you move your gaze to the other panelists. After you finish your response look at the annoyed person and—calling them by their name—ask them if they need any further clarification from you, as you saw their response to your answer. Be careful how you do this without further annoying that person. This can be a big differentiator for you if you do this right.
8. Whenever you respond to a particular question if there is a specific bullet or statement in your résumé point to it as you speak. For example, when responding to a question on how you recovered a defected customer, say this story is on page-2 as my first bullet at the top. If any question is unfamiliar or is a stumper, do not fumble through your response. Just admit that you do not know the answer, but can look it up if required.
9. Keep your response concise and to the point as your air time is tight.
10. When your time is up, thank the panel again, tell them you enjoyed the discussion, and smile as you exit.

A few days after the panel interview follow-up with your contact and show your interest after thanking them for setting up the panel interview.

Panel interview can be a great opportunity for you to differentiate yourself by doing some of the things suggested here. If you can master these techniques, you’d be surprised how much this can translate into a positive outcome, despite its daunting prospects.

Good luck!