Group Interview Tips: How to Stand Out in Group Interviews

A group interview is a part of the interview process in which future coworkers might interview one candidate or multiple candidates might appear in the same interview. Unlike one-on-one interviews, group interviews involve two or more interviewers or interviewees. Hiring organizations might conduct group interviews if teamwork, communication skills, and overall personality are essential to finding the best candidate.

There are two main types of group interviews. In panel interviews, multiple members of the hiring organization interview one candidate. In candidate group interviews, multiple interviewees will be in the same interview with one or more hiring managers or existing team members. Both interview formats enable the hiring team to see how job seekers behave in group settings.

There might be different facets to a group interview. If you are going into an interview panel, know there might be anywhere from two to maybe eight people interviewing you. This can feel overwhelming if you didn’t expect it, so always prepare for more people. They might start by saying, “Tell me about yourself,” so you should prepare for typical group interview questions to more easily demonstrate you are a prepared and confident candidate poised for a new job.

If you are one of multiple candidates in a group interview, you and the other job applicants might do a work simulation activity. This means you might have to complete a task as a group, which will require your problem-solving, decision-making, and teamwork skills. In such group activities, the goal is not to outshine individual candidates but to work as a team. If the company is hiring a new team, the interview might include current managers and associate-level employees so they can display leadership skills in work simulation exercises.

Generally, recruiters and hiring teams want to see how job candidates behave in larger groups and whether personalities and work styles match the company culture. In discerning this, they will study more than just the answers—also the candidates’ tone, body language, and overall energy.

If there are multiple interviewees, hirers might look at how well you work with fellow candidates and if you are a team player. This is an excellent opportunity to show off your active listening skills by not speaking over others when they are talking and also applying the improvisation concept of “yes, and” to others’ ideas to show your collaborative nature. Instead of always having to be the person to answer first, know you can also respond to or uplift others’ contributions.

Prepare for a group interview in the following ways:

• Arrive on time and have good manners. Pick out your interview outfit the day before, even for remote interviews, so you are ready before the interview starts. Speak clearly, use eye contact, and behave professionally to make a good impression.
• Be a team player. In some group interviews, you’ll be working with other potential candidates. Be patient, team-oriented, and flexible to display your strengths in group settings.
• Familiarize yourself with the company website. Get a sense of the company and its work style so you can ask the right questions and better understand the organizational culture.
• Review common interview questions. Be prepared to discuss your work history, personal development goals, and personality. In group settings, multiple people might be meeting you for the first time and will want to learn more about you.
• Send a thank-you note. After the group interview, send a thank-you email or thank-you note just as you would for a traditional interview. If you only have one interviewer’s contact information, you can ask them to kindly extend the note to the rest of the interviewing team and list them all by name.

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