How to succeed in a group interview

Of the interview family, the group interview is the black sheep. We're all used to the classic one-on-one interview, it's the granddad if you will - it's been around long before we were and it's familiar. The group interview however, for many of us, is less than familiar. If you're left wondering how to succeed in a group interview, you're in the right place. Here are our top tips on how to breeze through a group interview and blow the competition out of the water – or the interview room.

Find the Balance
Don't make the mistake of thinking you need to be the one that comes out with all the fantastic ideas and leads the team, to succeed in a group interview. While it's of course important to make your voice heard, you don't want to dominate the conversation or be seen to dictate the group. The aim of a group interview, believe it or not, is to see how you work in a group. If you're naturally a leader, keep that in mind and make a conscious effort to listen to all members of the team. Similarly if you're a little more shy, don't relax into your comfort zone of letting the others take control of the interview.

Be Respectful
The panel interviewing you are looking for someone personable, a team player – someone with whom they can see themselves having a good working relationship. Respect is paramount and so make an effort to listen to your fellow interviewees when you're not making your own points. Also don't fight to make a point, if someone else makes a point you wanted to make, try to expand on what they've said and take their idea further. This shows you're listening, you're attentive and you can work well in a team by collaborating on another's idea.

Be mindful of different personalities
No two people are the same and so it's important to acknowledge you're not going to be best buddies with everyone. In a group interview it's important to work effectively as a team, meaning even if someone isn't the type of person you'd have as a close friend, you need to make the effort to be amicable and professional with them. You're not there to make friends after all.  

Follow up
An interview must, the follow-up e-mail is all the more important in a group interview context. You need to set yourself apart from the competition at every given opportunity. Take the time to thank your interviewers for their time and for the opportunity to interview with them. It's a small gesture but if the decision comes between you and one other person, who perhaps forgot to send a similar e-mail, the job might just go to you.