Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Preparing For A Group Interview

Preparing for a one-on-one job interview is tough enough. What are you supposed to do when you have to prepare for a group interview?

Job seekers are conditioned to think of an interview as a discussion with just one person. This is the case most of the time, but some nonprofits prefer to interview applicants as a group. Along with the hiring manager would be the head of the department for which the organization is hiring, along with one or two additional managers. This type of interview is advantageous for the nonprofit because it allows the people who would be working with the prospective employee to get a first-hand impression.

Group interviews can be very overwhelming. This is even more the case if you don't know it's coming so when you are asked in for an interview, ask who will be interviewing you. Knowing a group interview is coming will make it slightly less intimidating. Now you can begin to prepare:

  • Check out the LinkedIn profiles of your interviewers. Find out as much as you can about them so you can form a real connection.
  • Pay attention to how the group interacts with each other. Do they seem to get along? Remember, you're interviewing them as much as they are you.
  • Do a roleplay interview with a couple of family friends, preferably people you don't know too well. This will enhance the illusion of the interview than if you practiced with friends.
  • Keep eye contact with the rest of the group when answering a question.
Have you ever had a group interview? Did you find it harder than a regular one? Share your experiences in the comments section.

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