Tactics for Handling a Panel Interview

There you sit alone in front of the room, waiting for the assembled strangers to attack with interview questions. It's really not quite that bad. In fact, there is an upside to panel interviews. You'd probably have to talk to each of these people individually at some point in the process -- this way, you get it over all at once.

Panel -- or board -- interviews are often characterized by a standard set of questions for all applicants. Typically formal and organized, this interview format is often used in academia and government or for high-level executives. Occasionally, you’ll encounter a panel interview for other positions in a company.

Interview Preparation: Don’t Be Ambushed

Find out what type of interview you can expect. The recruiter setting up your job interview can probably give you an idea ahead of time. If you have the opportunity, ask: How long will the interview be? Who will be on the panel? You can better tailor your responses when you understand the interview conditions.

And remember -- no matter how uncomfortable the interview situation -- you are there as a professional to learn just as much about them as they are eager to learn about you.

Different Perspectives, Same Purpose

How do you deal with so many interviewers in one sitting? The best way is to take them one at a time. The board or panel is not one entity, but several individuals coming together with the common goal of hiring the best candidate for the job. At the same time, each person has his own agenda or department's interest at heart.

For example, the HR manager will be checking to make sure you are a good fit with the culture and people working at the company. The hiring manager will want to know about your technical skills or business know-how. And the person from accounting will want to know if you are savvy enough to operate a business budget.

What to Expect from the Panel

You may be asked to speak about instances when you demonstrated particular behaviors or skills that are key to performing your desired job. This form of interviewing, known as a behavioral interview, relies on the premise that past performance is the best indicator of future behavior.

Always be prepared to provide a brief summary of who you are and your career goals. This message can include your overall mission, top-level skills and interests, but not a recitation of your life’s history. Be ready to share your concise message at the beginning or end of the interview.

Practicing for the interview with a video or audio recorder is extremely helpful. The best answers include examples that are compelling, on-target and spoken with interest and some enthusiasm. When speaking, don’t hesitate to lean forward. Check your posture at a table and lean forward to demonstrate interest in the position. Remember to look at each person who asks the question, and then shift your eye contact to the other members of the interviewing team.

Lastly, make sure you get each person's business card, hopefully at the beginning of the interview, so you can address each person by name and follow up with individual thank-you notes afterwards.

Team Interviews

Another multiple-type interview is the team or "good cop/bad cop" interview. The team is usually made up of two interviewers, one who asks the questions and one who takes notes. The two typically trade roles, which can be confusing if they have different styles. Keep in mind that these inquisitors are working together toward the same end, so treat them equally.

Although these interviews can be stressful, interview practice and preparation can pay off. When you rehearse your answers and your physical presentation beforehand, you will feel more confident no matter how many people you have to face.

Panel Interview Tips

Being submitted to a panel interview can be quite nerve-racking, which is why we’ve prepared these Panel Interview Tips to help you make an impact and get through the interview with flying colours. 

A panel interview or committee interview is an interview where you are meeting with one or more people representing the company you have applied with. Typically you could meet with several people in a conference room type setting. 

One advantage of a panel interview is that they can be less time consuming and will give you a chance to see how the office staff interact with each other. A disadvantage to the panel interview is that it may be more stressful and intimidating for an applicant to have a group of people questioning them.
Panel interviews are thought to be advantageous to the company involved as several people will be able to meet the applicant and witness their responses and behaviours at the same time. This can help them make an accurate decision and assessment.
Follow these group interview tips when being interviewing by a panel or committee: 

• Prepare yourself the same way you would with an individual interview.  
• While in the interview be sure to answer the person who asked the specific question, whilst periodically keeping eye contact with each panel member.  
• It is good idea to memorise your resume so you can quickly reference your experience and job history when needed.  
• Body language and behaviour is very important during panel interviews.  
• Take note of each panel member’s name so you can address them later.  
• You should come prepared to ask the panel members some questions after your interview.  
• As a follow-up send each panel member a thank-you letter after the interview.  

Panel Interview Tips – Five Essential Steps to a Great Panel Interview

Companies will choose to use the panel interview format for a variety. In some cases, they simply want to avoid a wrong hiring decision and figure that more experience and discussion will help in the right decision.

Sometimes, the process is used to speed up the hiring process, rather than doing subsequent interviews with various levels of management. Another reason is that the company values team work in all areas, including the hiring process. Whatever the reason for the format, you can use some simple panel interview tips to make the process work to your advantage.

Essential Tips for a Perfect Panel Interview

1. First of the panel interview tips is to find out ahead of time, if you can, how many people will be on the panel interviewing you. If they will tell you, also find out the names or job titles of those individuals.

Though there is always the possibility of a member being switched out or added on the interview day, having additional information can help you enter the room confidently. Be sure to prepare enough resumes and portfolios for each member of the panel and yourself.

If you have names, memorize them and a little information about them if it is available through the website or company literature. You don’t have to reveal this information but it may illuminate the slant of a question asked during the interview.

Looking the Part in a Panel Interview

2. Second, dressing and acting appropriately for your interview is one of the most essential panel interview tips. This particular format for an interview can make many people nervous or ganged up on.

Looking your best can help boost your confidence. Intentional use of relaxed and pleasant body language helps convey your professionalism and willingness to work with others. Make eye contact with each of the members of the panel and smile at them throughout the interview, but answer questions primarily to whoever asks each specific one.

3. Third, think team. Panel interviews are often indicative of a culture of teamwork in the company. Bring a cooperative and team affirming slant to your answers. Be complimentary in your comments about the company or the particular panel members. Use the panel members’ names right away and throughout the interview.

4. Fourth, have a good working knowledge of your resume and portfolio so you can find examples quickly during the interview. Prepare to share several experiences where you took action that resulted in a positive outcome.

At least one or two of these examples should begin with a negative occurrence that your actions helped to resolve. Ask ahead of time if there are any specific items the panel would like you to bring to the interview with you. Even if they say no, panel interview tips recommend bringing resume portfolios anyway to impress the interviewers.

5. Fifth of the panel interview tips is to end the interview well. At the conclusion of the interview, have at least one question ready for the panel if they give you that opportunity. Shake each one’s hand and thank them by name for their time. It is also a good idea to send a thank you note to each of the panel members after your interview.

Intelligent Words to Use on a Job Interview

It's always important to present yourself as professionally as possible on a job interview. This typically includes appearance, presentation of resume, posture, and a positive attitude. All of these qualities can convince an employer that you're the right fit for the job.

A well-spoken job candidate, however, is an infrequent find. Using the appropriate vocabulary words will capture the attention of the interviewer. Many prospective employers interview dozens of candidates for one position. Displaying a command of the English language will help you stand out above the other candidates.

While it is important to impress a potential employer, don't use words that will intimidate, befuddle, or confuse your interviewer. Instead, stick to some commonly understood but seldom used spoken vocabulary words which can apply to almost any job interview.

Applicable

Definition: Relevant, able to be used, in reference to, appropriate.

Example: My applicable skills include writing, proofreading, and typing.

Connotation: A very active word, it is appropriate by its own definition. Commonly used in professional written vocabulary, this word is impressive when spoken.

Effective

Definition: Able to accomplish set purpose, worth remembering.

Example: My implemented methods were effective in reducing overhead by seventeen percent.

Connotation: A clear and concise word, the speaker presents a straightforward grasp of the word by using it.

Excel

Definition: To surpass the average in success in an area.

Example: My grade point average in my major will reveal that I excel in English.

Connotation: This is a professional, tactful way to describe the subject's gift or extreme capability.

Practiced

Definition: Masterful, experienced, possessing a repeatedly demonstrated skill.

Example: I am a practiced editor, having that title on six publications in the past seven months.

Connotation: This word is a tactful way for the subject to describe him or her self as an expert without bragging. It also implies repeated success.

Versatile

Definition: Able to handle a variety of tasks; mutable or changeable.

Example: In 1999, I developed a versatile proprietary web database to track the company's earnings.

Connotation: This word is very positive and implies that the subject can handle multiple functions.

During a job interview, you are expected to sell yourself as the candidate. This can be difficult to achieve without overt bragging, but with the proper use of tactful words, you will succeed.

Ensure that you have a full command of these words before the job interview and connect specific words with specific traits and potential questions. For example, an interviewer may ask: "What are your strengths in marketing?" Your practiced reply for this obvious question could be: "I excel in producing and distributing appropriate marketing materials." When delivered with confidence, practiced responses will feel natural and the employer will consider them effective.

A JOB INTERVIEW -Useful Vocabulary

Conversation about a job

Interviewer: So why did you decide to apply

for this job ?

Candidate: Well, I’ve always wanted to work

in this sector and I feel I have the right profile

and experience for the post.

I.: Tell me a bit about your experience.

C.: Well, my background is in administration.

In my previous job I was responsible for the

day-to-day running of a small but busy office.

I’m keen to work in a larger organization which

will allow me to develop my existing skills and

take on new responsibilities.

I.: This job involves working under pressure

and to tight deadlines. How would you cope

with that ?

C.: Well, I enjoy a challenge and work better

under pressure. But I believe in proper planning

and time management to get the job done

efficiently.

I.: What has been your biggest problem in your

work to date ?

C.: Well, when I took up the post of office

manager everyone was spending too much time

in meetings which seemed to go on for ever. I

rescheduled our meetings to just before lunch

and they started to go much quicker. Productivity

went right up and earned me a pay rise. So my

biggest problem turned out to be my greatest

achievement …

Answering Some Commonly asked Bank Interview questions

Question :- Tell us Something about Yourself.
How to Answer :- This is usually the first question asked in Interviews. You should not read all the data in your resume and also do not go too deep about telling about your parents, village and grand parents etc. For example, avoid answers like- "My village name is XYZ which come under XYZ District. My school name was XYZ school which was the biggest in district with 10000 students......"
Be natural and calm. Speak Slowly and Tell them about your strengths, achievements and passions etc. This question should not take more than 3 Minutes to be answered. Keep in mind that they know that you are capable as you have already cleared the written test, now you have to show them your suitability and genuine desire for this job. So mention your strengths and interests that are related to that job. Doing a brief research about that Bank/Company before the interview is advised. Remember that at the end of the day you have to make the interviewer feel that you are the right person for this job.

Question :- Why should we Hire you in our Organization?
How to Answer :- The Interviewer wants to know your suitability for the job so in this question you should tell about your Strengths and achievements so far. You should mention your strengths so that they would come to know your fitness for the job. Do not say something which is not true about you. Remember that the Interviewers are very Experienced and they will realize if you are saying truth or just trying to Outsmart them. Avoid using phrases like "This is the Best Company" or "I want to work in this field."
Instead, try to mention good things about you that are related to that job and this will surely prove your usefulness.

Question :- What are your Strengths and Weaknesses ?
How to Answer :- This is again a very commonly asked question. The Interviewer here wants to analyze how much you know of yourself.
Strengths:- You should mention your strengths that are beneficial for them. For example, It should not be like "I am a very good cricket Player", Rather you should focus on strengths that are related to that job. For example, "I have good communication skills" Or "I Like Interacting with people" Or "I am good at a analyzing Problems and working in a team to find out appropriate solutions".
Weaknesses :- You should not say that you do not have any Weakness. It shows that either you are Overconfident or have not assessed yourself and don't want to talk about it.
Similarly do not say phrases like "I am short tempered" Or "I get angry very soon and can do anything in anger". Rather you should genuinely mention the areas that are related to your professional life and you are trying to get better at them.

Question :- Where do you see yourself after five years from now?
How to Answer :- Here The interviewer wants to know your knowledge about career path in the job and what is your level of commitment to the job they are offering.
It should be answered realistically. Example of a horrible answer is "I will be in your seat after five years". Rather you should answer in such a way that ensures them that you are interested in making a long-term commitment towards the job and will have a long term and mutually beneficial association with them. For example "I am definitely interested in making a long-term commitment to my next position. This is exactly what I’m looking for and what I am very well qualified to do. I will do my job to the best of my ability and i am prepared to learn new things and contribute to the overall success of the organization in a number of ways. I am confident that here i will have opportunities to advance my skills and provide best of my services to the organization. "


Question :- Why did you choose to work in a bank?
Or
Why you want job in a government bank when you can get better salary in private jobs?
Or
Why you want a Clerk Job in Bank after doing B.tech.(Engineering)?
How to Answer :- These are very common questions and are asked to almost 90% of the candidates. Here The interviewer wants to know your level of willingness of working a in a bank.
Never straight away say that "I did not get a job in Private sector" or "There is lot of stress in Private jobs and government jobs are less intense and more flexible."
Rather you should answer realistically to show your genuine desire of working in a bank. If B.tech graduates are asked about opting for a bank job after engineering, they can say " Uncertainity of future and growth in IT Companies due to recent turbulence and high recent growth in banking sector." You should manipulate your answer to prove that your engineering degree would be beneficial for you in interacting with people and creating more business relationships for them.


Question :- Answering the Puzzles type Questions!
How to Answer :- Although these are not so common, but may be asked to anyone in an Interview. Here the interviewer doesn't really want to hear exact answer from you rather they want to see if you are able to analyze the correct problem or are you just trying to hurry up without taking the time to analyze and putting some effort. They just want to see your practical approach that will be useful during you job period.
So If asked any puzzle type question, you should not Hurry up in telling the answer even if you know it. Even if you do not know the answer (and even can not find the answer), do not hurry up in saying NO. Rather you should draw the picture of problem on a paper(even if you know the answer) and take some time to analyze it (ask them if you do not understand it correctly). It will make them feel that you believe in analyzing the client requirement before reaching to any conclusion, which is a must.
So you should answer these questions by taking time, drawing it and asking them for clarifications. This will surely fill the interviewer's purpose.


Question :- Answering the Technical questions and questions related to some current scenario?
How to Answer :- Although asked rarely, but one should also prepare some topics related to banking terminologies such as Repo Rate, Reverse Repo Rate, Cash Reserve Ratio, SLR (Statutorily Liquidity Ratio), Bank Rate, OverDraft, Prime Lending Rate, 3G Spectrum, RBI, ATM(Automated teller machine), Capital Adequacy Ratio - CAR, Questions on IPL Winners, and Many More..(Click here to download Word Document containing common banking terms). Also, chairman of some main banks in India such as RBI, SEBI etc. should also be known.

Remember that although you know these terms and current affairs related to banking and common issues, yet these questions do not play a big role in determining your selection or rejection. Even if you do not know an answer, genuinely say "NO Idea Sir!" rather than wasting time and trying to fool them with random answers, It's just not worth it!

Although you should not memorize any of above sample texts and should say it in your words to convey the idea which is to prove your usefulness!!.This will surely make them believe that you are a fit for this job!!

Although we've presented comprehensive list of commonly asked questions but still the list is endless and you may be asked anything other than these. To succeed, you should keep in mind that you have to sell you professional side, show them that you are useful and you will surely be Hired!!

How to Behave in an Interview - Simple rules that bring Success!!

Interviews are meant to asses one's personality to determine weather or not the candidate is a fit for the job. It's okay if you are not able to answer a few technical questions as they just want to see your approach which will be of utmost importance during the job period. Here we present a few points about dressing, behaving and other tips helpful for success in Interviews.

Before the Interview :-
Research :- It is advised to do some research about the company/organisation before the Interview. It reflects during your interview and creates a positive impact on the Interviewer.
 Get There Before Time :- You should try to reach the venue well in advance as getting late for the Interview is a sign of Irresponsible nature.

Getting In The Hall:-
 Walking In :- Gently walk in and Greet the panel. Sit down straight when asked to sit.

Answering the Questions:-
Wait : - Don't hurry in answering the questions to reflect your nervousness. wait until interviewer asks you something.
 Be comfortable :- The baseline is to be comfortable. Only then you will be able to present your real self which will let them asses you correctly. It's okay if you don't know an answer, just say it to them gently.
Finishing it Up:-
Do not start talking about salary details until they do it And Always say thank you to finish it up. It should not look like you are trying to get rid of it and finish the Interview as soon as possible. Give them enough time to look into you and asses you correctly.