How to Prepare for a Group or Panel Interview

You’ve landed an interview—great news! But instead of meeting with just one hiring manager, you’ll be sitting in front of a whole panel or group. Cue the nerves, right?

Don’t worry—you’re not alone. According to research, 48% of employers use panel interviews as part of their hiring process, especially for roles where collaboration and cross-functional teamwork matter. While they can feel intimidating, panel interviews are also an opportunity to showcase your communication skills, professionalism, and ability to think on your feet in front of multiple decision-makers at once.

Here’s how to prepare, step by step.

Understand What a Panel Interview Really Is

A panel interview involves two or more interviewers asking you questions together—often your potential manager, a teammate, and someone from HR. In a group interview, multiple candidates may be assessed at the same time, sometimes while collaborating on tasks or answering questions together.

Why employers use them:

• To evaluate how candidates handle pressure and multitasking.
• To see how you interact with different personalities and authority levels.
• To save time by having all decision-makers in the same room.
• To assess teamwork, communication, and adaptability in real-time.

Knowing this helps you prepare mentally: the interview isn’t designed to trip you up—it’s designed to reveal how you function in a group setting.

Step 1: Research Your Interviewers

Preparation is key. If you’re given the names of your interviewers ahead of time, look them up on LinkedIn, the company’s website, or even in recent press releases.

Why this matters:

• You’ll know their roles, so you can tailor your answers.
• It shows respect—you’ve done your homework.
• It helps you anticipate the types of questions they might ask.

Example:

• An HR representative may ask about values, career goals, or culture fit.
• A direct supervisor might dig into technical skills and problem-solving.
• A potential peer could test how collaborative and approachable you are.

Pro Tip: Write down one thoughtful question to ask each interviewer at the end. This demonstrates that you see them as individuals, not just a group.

Step 2: Practice Addressing a Group

Speaking naturally to multiple people is different than speaking one-on-one. You’ll want to practice shifting your attention and body language so you engage the whole room.

How to practice:

• Introduce yourself in front of a mirror while alternating eye contact as if several people are in front of you.
• Record yourself answering questions and notice whether you favor one “imaginary person” too much.
• Ask a friend or two to role-play a panel and fire questions at you.

Body language tips:

• Sit upright, with open posture—avoid crossing arms or fidgeting.
• Smile warmly as you introduce yourself.
• Use hand gestures sparingly for emphasis, but don’t overdo it.

The goal is to appear confident, approachable, and able to communicate clearly with multiple people at once.

Step 3: Balance Your Attention

It’s tempting to lock onto the one person who seems most friendly or who leads the questioning—but remember, everyone in the room will have a say in the hiring decision.

How to manage this:

• Begin your answer by looking at the person who asked the question.
• As you explain, glance naturally at other panel members to include them in your response.
• Conclude your answer by returning eye contact to the original asker.

This rhythm shows respect to each individual while still engaging the group.

Pro Tip: If someone seems quiet or doesn’t ask questions, still include them with eye contact occasionally. They may be observing carefully and providing feedback after the interview.

Step 4: Prepare for Rapid-Fire Questions

Panel interviews can move quickly. Different interviewers may jump in with follow-ups, or you might get multiple questions back-to-back.

How to handle it:

• Pause briefly before answering to organize your thoughts—it’s perfectly professional.
• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
• If you didn’t catch part of a question, ask politely: “Could you please repeat the second part?”

Example STAR response:

• Situation: “In my last role, our project deadline was unexpectedly moved up.”
• Task: “I had to reorganize my team’s workflow to hit the new deadline.”
• Action: “I created a new task schedule, communicated changes quickly, and checked in daily.”
• Result: “We delivered the project on time, and our client renewed their contract for another year.”

That structure keeps answers concise but impactful.

Step 5: Show Collaboration Skills

Panel interviews often test soft skills like collaboration, listening, and adaptability. Employers want to know how you handle group dynamics.

Ways to demonstrate collaboration:

• Acknowledge contributions from others: “That’s a great question, and I think it connects to what [Name] asked earlier.”
• Show you’re comfortable with feedback—don’t get defensive if someone challenges your answer.
• Highlight examples where you worked successfully in a team or resolved conflicts.

Pro Tip: Think of the panel as a mini version of a workplace team meeting. Show that you’re the type of person who can thrive in that environment.

Step 6: Bring Resume Copies and Be Ready to Share

When you walk into a panel interview, come prepared with multiple copies of your resume or portfolio. Not everyone may have reviewed your materials in advance.

Why this helps:

• It demonstrates professionalism and foresight.
• It gives you a natural moment to connect one-on-one as you hand them out.
• It ensures everyone can follow along if you reference something in your resume.

If it’s a virtual panel, have a digital copy ready to share via screen share or in the chat if asked.

Step 7: Follow Up With Everyone

Your work doesn’t end when the interview does. Sending personalized thank-you notes to each panelist can set you apart.

Tips for strong follow-ups:

• Send your emails within 24 hours.
• Personalize each message by mentioning something specific they asked or discussed.
• Keep it concise, polite, and appreciative.

Example:

“Thank you for the insightful conversation today. I especially appreciated your question about how I approach cross-team collaboration—it gave me the chance to share one of my proudest projects. I’d be excited to bring that same energy and adaptability to [Company Name].”

This small step shows professionalism and reinforces your enthusiasm.

Final Thoughts

Yes, panel interviews can feel intimidating at first—but with the right preparation, they’re actually a chance to shine in front of multiple decision-makers at once. By researching your interviewers, practicing group communication, and staying calm under pressure, you’ll not only survive the panel—you’ll stand out in it.

Want to boost your confidence before the big day? Practice common questions and polish your storytelling at interview.talentally.com.