Standing Out in a Group Interview

Group interviews are made to rattle your nerves and test your ability to adapt to an uncomfortable situation. Beyond judging your qualifications, hiring managers use group interviews to observe how you interact with fellow candidates and decide whether you're a good fit for the company culture. To stand out in a competitive crowd, show employers you understand the company, play well with others and aren't intimidated by challenges.

1. Practice an Introductory Statement

Everyone remembers the candidate who can't cobble together a coherent personal statement, so don't let first impressions go to waste. Prepare a short introduction in advance, highlighting definitive elements of your personality, career progression and work style. Match your tone to the company culture, making it easy for interviewers to imagine you in their work environment.

2. Research the Company

Hiring managers frequently use behavioral questions in group interviews to evaluate how you can apply your skills to the company's specific challenges. Researching the company's past, current and future goals is the best way to demonstrate your understanding of where the company is going and the objectives a potential hire is expected to achieve. Stay alert for opportunities to share relevant ideas, or relate your experiences to company values and obstacles. Show hiring managers you're knowledgeable about the inner workings of the job, not just the static duties in the description.

3.Come Prepared With Interview Materials

Show up on time with extra copies of your resume and business cards. Whether or not you submitted a portfolio with your application, bring samples of your work in case an interviewer asks for it. Group interviews can be fast-paced with multiple candidates trying to enter the conversation, making it easy to forget what others have said. Keep a notepad handy to jot down your thoughts and questions, and incorporate details about important conversations topics, so you can conveniently refer back to them later.

4. Show Interpersonal Skills

While you may want to block out the other candidates, engaging with the competition gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your social skills in action. When possible, introduce yourself to fellow candidates or company employees while waiting, so you can start remembering their names. During group interviews, smile and be polite toward others, always listening and showing interest when they speak. Focus on projecting a positive image by acknowledging a candidate's insightful comment or complementing how another candidate handled a problem. Forming quick connections is key, making it essential greet and thank every interviewer one on one.

5. Ask the Best Questions

Let others ask the flimsy questions anyone can answer by visiting the company website. For good source material, research the company's upcoming projects, and think about functions or expectations that aren't thoroughly explained in the job description. Keep track of information covered during the interview to avoid asking redundant questions. After all, you don't want hiring managers to think you aren't listening.

Group interviews don't have to be overwhelming if you remember what makes your personal brand distinct from the competition. Bring an open mind and a good attitude to distinguish yourself as a confident team player, no matter what stressful or bizarre activities the hiring manager has planned.

Photo courtesy of HZ Universit of Appliled Science at Flickr.com