What is a panel interview? A comprehensive guide

If you’re in the middle of a job hunt, you have a lot to deal with, such as tailoring your resume and cover letter, networking, keeping your skills up-to-date, and preparing answers to common interview questions. That’s a lot! Let’s say, however, that the hiring manager calls and wants to bring you in for a “panel interview.” What in the world is a panel interview? You might think to yourself. But don’t let it throw you for a loop. A panel interview is just another type of interview and while it is challenging, you can prepare ahead of time to ensure you step into that room and ace the interview with confidence, no matter what.

In this article, we’ll discuss: 

• What is a panel interview for a job?

• Who attends a panel interview?

• What to expect in a panel interview

• Examples of panel interview questions

• 5 Tips for doing well in a panel interview

What is a panel interview for a job?

Put simply, a panel interview is when you interview with more than one person at a time. It’s more common in fields such as academia, healthcare, and senior-level executives, although it can be used anywhere. Basically, it’s used to simplify the hiring process (at least for the employer) as it eliminates the need for many rounds of interviews. Panel interviews may be used to:

• Provide first-hand perspectives and impressions from multiple people.

• Determine how you handle stressful situations or environments.

• Save time and minimize scheduling delays.

Panel interviews shouldn’t be confused with group interviews, which involve more than one candidate at a time, or team interviews, where a candidate meets with prospective members of the team on which they’d be working. 

Who attends a panel interview?

Panel interviews are usually attended by people from many company departments, including Human Resources, potential managers, senior management, and even possibly some team members of the role they’re looking to fill. Each panel interviewer will have a different set of skills and expertise and will ask questions to gauge a candidate's experience in that area.

What to expect in a panel interview

Walking into a panel interview situation might be a bit like walking onto a stage to give a performance in front of an audience. But don’t panic. Take a breath before entering the interview room, and walk in with confidence and a smile on your face. Once you’re seated, you’ll probably be introduced to each person who will tell you their name and what department they’re from. 

Then, you’ll answer a series of questions from the panel. Often, interviewers have a set list of questions in front of them to which they’ve been assigned. Alternatively, each interview will ask specialized questions based on their area of specialization. 

Once they've asked their questions, they may ask if you have any questions for them. Make sure to have a few at the ready, as it makes you look prepared, professional, and serious about the position. At the end of the interview, they'll thank you for coming in and might provide a timeline for their decisions. Say thank you, acknowledge each person in the room, and make a graceful exit. 

Examples of panel interview questions

Just like a regular interview, panel interview questions tend to be situational or behavioral, and are geared toward how you function in the workplace and how you overcome challenges, and you can use the STAR method to formulate your responses. Some questions you might encounter include:

• Tell us about yourself.

• Why do you think you’re right for this position?

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

• How have you demonstrated time management skills in your previous roles? 

• What do you think are the most important aspects of maintaining positive relationships with clients?

While it’s impossible to know exactly what you’ll be asked, when preparing your responses, make sure to look at them from different points of view and tailor your response to the person asking the question.

5 Tips for succeeding in a panel interview

If you think about it, a panel interview isn't all that different from a regular interview; you just have a few more elements to juggle. When facing a panel interview, keep the following tips in mind to help you ace it:

1. Watch your body language and make eye contact

It’s easy to get a little overwhelmed at the moment and lose track of who you're addressing. To help with that, do your best to make eye contact with whomever you're speaking to, and turn your entire body to face them, not just your head. While most of your answer should be directed at the questioner, it's a good idea to "check-in" with at least a couple of other panel members during our response. Also, be mindful of your posture and hand gestures. If you don't know what to do with your hands, or you're nervous, try clasping them lightly in front of you. 

Be careful of “mirroring” in a panel interview. While it can be helpful during a one-on-one interview for establishing rapport, when it’s done with multiple interviewers it can make you look a little strange. Mirroring a nod or smile is fine, but don’t try to take on the characteristics of each person in the room. 

2.  Do your homework

If you can find out who will be in the interview with you, that's great information. Look them up on the company website so that you know what their title is, what department they’re from, and any accomplishments they’ve had. This will help you tailor your answers to their interests, and also help you craft some great post-interview questions. 

3. Modulate your speech

When we get nervous, our throat tends to constrict and have a “straining” effect on our voices. Consider using some vocal warm ups ahead of time. Depending on the size of the room, you may have to project your voice a bit so you can be heard by those farthest away from you. When you start speaking, it’s okay to ask, “Can everyone hear me?” and adjust your volume accordingly. On the other hand, don’t shout. You’re not in a stadium, and you still want to make sure you’re using your “inside voice.”

When we’re anxious we also tend to speak quickly. To combat this, utilize your listening skills. Focusing on what the interviewer is actually asking will help you slow down a little bit. Pause before you respond. This will give you the chance to craft your answer. If an interviewer cuts you off before you’re done with your answer, don’t panic. If the information you were about to provide is vital, ask them for a moment to wrap up. If not, just go with it and move on to the next question.

4.  Be ready for follow-up questions

Since you’ll be interviewing with several people from different departments, you may receive follow-up questions that pertain to their particular area of specialization. Rather than repeating what you just said, rephrase your answer to focus more on what they’re asking you about. Make sure you have multiple examples from your experience to draw from, that focus on different areas of achievement, such as leadership, productivity, communication skills, overcoming challenges, and so on. 

5. Don’t forget to say, “Thank you.”

Panel interviews are no different from regular interviews, and you should take the time to send your “thank yous.”  Make sure you have the name and contact information of everyone in the room, and send notes after the interview to each person thanking them for their time and expressing gratitude and excitement about the opportunity. It might take a little extra time, but it can leave them with a great impression of you and keep you front of mind when they're making their hiring decision. 

If you need a little help preparing for an interview, check out Career.io’s Interview Prep service, which will help you practice common interview questions and provide AI-generated feedback to build your confidence and help you ace your next interview.

Key takeaways

1. A panel interview is when you interview with more than one person at a time, and shouldn’t be confused with a group or team interview.

2. Panel interviews are usually attended by people from many company departments, including Human Resources, potential managers and team members, or senior management.

3. A panel interview is a good sign, but doesn’t necessarily mean you got the job.

4. During a panel interview, watch your body language, modulate your speech, use the STAR method to answer the questions, and acknowledge each person in the room.