What do you do if you're faced with a panel interview?

Asking what to expect from the process shows curiosity and motivation. You don't want to be blindsided when walking in and seeing a panel instead of one person, as you expected. Do research on the panelists. Always enter with confidence and strategy. Don't lose your cool, remain poised, even though it might be intimidating. Smile, it goes a long way!

As Benjamin Franklin says"By failing to prepare, you're preparing to fail." When you are called for a Panel interview, check who will be on the panel and what the estimated time for the interview will be. Thorough research on the company and the people on the panel on the Company Website, LinkedIn, and other social media will help you understand the company's values and the thinking processes of the different panellists. Tuning your communication to align to companies vision & stakeholder expectations will ensure higher success in the interview

Maintain your composure and concentrate during the panel interview. Hear clearly, address each canvasser by name, and keep eye contact with everyone. Answer questions quickly and split your attention unevenly. Show respect and excitement, and ask insightful questions to engage the panel.

My usual routine when faced in these situations - Breathe - Center myself before answering, showing mindful composure. Connect with my strength - Briefly recall a moment of true coaching success. Focus on a pivotal story - Sharing a concise example of a client's transformational breakthrough. Defining my distinction - Stating my unique approach in one sentence. Reframing a challenge - Turning a setback into a lesson about growth and adaptability. Asking relevant question - Shows interest in the organization's mission or challenges. Expressing authentic gratitude - A simple "thank you" conveys sincerity and respect for their time.

When you research the panel members, find out what role they have in the company. This will give you some context for where their questions are coming from. Also, take a quick look through their LinkedIn activity at their posts and comments. This may help you know what their hot buttons are. Knowing that Bob is in Marketing and Joy is in Finance can help you tailor your answers to them - although, be sure to confirm when you meet them. Digital data can be outdated.

I can't stress enough the importance of a overall appearance when entering an interview. Your goal is to portray yourself as a confident, knowledgeable individual. Aside from being neat, professionally dressed, and groomed, as the role you're applying for necessitates, making a lasting impression that will be retained in interviewers' mind after the meeting is your main goal. Believe it or not, colors you choose and body language can create that impact. Dress strategically to land your dream job!

For this situation, you might try posting questions that require more engaged answers from the panelists by connecting points or directly asking for feedback or ideas from more than one panelist

Engage with the panel and offer equal amount of time for each penalist. Be engaging, charismatic, show your enthusiasm in the job and interest in the company. Always maintain a clear eye contact with each panelist. Smile often, stay relaxed. Show enthusiasm to their questions by answering to best of your abilities. And most importantly, remain authentic in every possible way.

First impressions are everything in any relationship building. The moment you step into that interview room, you are building relationships with the panelists. It's up to you to win them over during that process, because the outcome would be most favorable for you and will impact the interview process and receiving that dream job. ??

A panel interview is also a good opportunity to assess the group dynamics of your new potential team. Pay attention to how they interact with each other. Do they enjoy each other? Is there tension? Do they have a sense of order and rhythm, or are they just throwing spaghetti on the wall? Remember - Interviewing is a two-way street. You are also there to evaluate if they meet YOUR criteria.

Be prepared for the dynamics of a panel interview, which may include diverse questioning styles and perspectives from each panel member. Stay composed and adaptable, and use the opportunity to showcase your ability to collaborate and engage with a variety of stakeholders. And be mindful of time management during the interview and ensure that you allocate sufficient time to address each panel member's questions and concerns effectively.