IP Executive Covid-19 UPDATE - We are now back in the Rotherham office as of Monday 15th June
skip to Main Content
HOW TO HANDLE A GROUP INTERVIEW

HOW TO HANDLE A GROUP INTERVIEW

Group interviews are becoming an increasingly popular way for employers to find their perfect employee. A group interview is an opportunity for them to interview multiple people at the same time, and also see how well they work under pressure and within a team.

The key to a group interview is to stand out and be yourself. Every moment that you are there, is an opportunity for you to stand out from the crowd and show that you are the perfect candidate for the job.

The first thing you should do is arrive early. This is usually a common courtesy for all interviews, but it is especially important in a group situation. You may be up against quite a few other candidates, so from the moment you get there, you have to impress. Arriving early, means that you have more time to impress and get the attention of the interviewers.

You should also ‘dress to impress’, and take note of your body language. People can make a judgement in the blink of an eye, so you want to make it the best one it can be. Also, wearing something that makes you feel positive and confident, will reflect upon your attitude and possibly make you feel more positive regarding your interview. Your body language can give away a lot more than you think. Slouching, having your arms folded, or looking overly comfortable/relaxed can make you seem lazy and uninterested, which is not the impression you want to be giving off! Having good posture and smiling, are all positive body language traits which should be implemented throughout your interview.

Like any interview, you should be prepared and have answers ready for questions that you may receive, and have any questions ready that you would like to ask. The most important thing that you should know is what the company does! This question is usually asked first, to weed out the candidates who didn’t even make the effort to find out about the company they want a job at. There are different types of group interview: group activities, group interviews, or group activities followed by an individual interview, so you should be prepared for each of these types.

Most group interviews include an icebreaker. This is usually an activity to get everyone comfortable and to know each other before the main interview activities begin. They can be awkward and embarrassing, but just make sure you have an answer for whatever they may ask you, and avoid replying with “I don’t know”.

Finally, it can be difficult for some people to find the balance between being overly competitive and wanting to be dominant, and being quiet and easily over looked. This is especially difficult in a group situation where individuals are trying their hardest to be seen and heard. You are going to want to show your leadership skills, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be dominant the whole way through the interview. Try and show that you can be inclusive with your team members, and encourage the quieter members to participate and share their opinion.

If you have been asked to attend a group interview, don’t panic! Everything will be explained to you when you get there, and this is a great opportunity to meet new people and show the employer why you should get the job!

If you would like to find out more on group interviews, please visit https://goo.gl/H6UCQD

Back To Top