Depending on the position you are hiring for and the objectives of the interview, you may want to consider a panel interview format when interviewing candidates. You may be wondering how a panel interview differs from one-on-one interviews—continue reading to find out why panel interviews may work for your organization and what you can do to conduct a successful group interview.
What is a Panel Interview?
Group interviews are designed to gain information about the candidates. Panel interviews consist of only one candidate being interviewed by multiple people who take turns asking questions or engaging in a conversation, group-discussion-style interview.
Companies using panels often save time, and their interviews are more objective because there is less one-on-one interaction.
The Setting
Make sure the room is set up as informally as possible to help the candidate feel more comfortable and ensure you can get more in-depth information during the interview. Ensure panel members are seated at comfortable angles visible to the applicant and avoid seating members behind a big table or in a manner that suggests they are interrogating the applicant.
The Panel Members
Make sure your interviewers are from varying departments to ensure a broader perspective on the applicant’s performance—different points of view will help you get a clear picture of the pros and cons of the applicant.
When choosing members, make sure you choose a leader, someone to act as the host, and a facilitator for the whole process. The lead will ask basic questions and follow-ups; only the lead should change the topic of focus or the questions.
Make Sure You’re Organized
Everyone taking part in the interview needs to know what is on the applicant’s resume, as well as the job description and skills necessary to fulfill the role. Additionally, everyone needs to agree on a set of questions and what their role in the interview process is so they do not contradict each other.
Pay Attention!
Interviewing in a group gives you the advantage of keeping an extra set of “ears” on the candidate to pick up on nuances and key details. Not paying attention also comes off as rude to the applicant, who may not stay on if your teams appear aloof and disorganized—meaning you may potentially lose out on a star applicant.
Consider Partnering With a Staffing Firm
Conducting a panel interview can be extremely beneficial for your organization. Not only will it help you make the right hiring decision, but you will also get to know a potential staff member better. So it is worth taking the time to ensure that you do it properly.
It is important to consider working with a reputable recruitment firm that can help you with your hiring strategy and prepare you for potential interview scenarios. Omada Search is a boutique headhunting firm dedicated to serving established and start-up organizations to acquire and retain exceptional talent. If you would like to discuss your staffing needs, you can contact us at any time at (980) 225-6767 or by filling out the contact form on our website.
