Group Interviews: 5 Key Points
5 June 2013
Read by 2490 persons
You've been invited to a group interview? This can be daunting, even stressful. However, you can approach this meeting calmly. It's designed to assess your behavior within a group. Here are 5 key things to know.
1. The objective. A group interview brings together several candidates for one or more positions. More economical for the company, this method also assesses candidates' social skills and reveals their true personalities, as they are less likely to control their reactions in a group discussion. This type of meeting is a recruitment tool, not just an information session. It's generally a pre-selection method; successful candidates are then invited for an individual interview.
2. The context. Typically, a group interview involves about ten candidates. It begins with a company and position presentation, followed by introductions. Then, the serious part begins: for about an hour, under the watchful eye of one or more recruiters, participants will discuss a topic or handle a professional situation. For example, this could involve making and defending a decision or designing and presenting a project.
3. Industries that use them. Group interviews were once confined to specific sectors like retail. Now, their use has expanded, particularly in banking, insurance, and IT, for sales and consulting roles. A common factor among companies using this method: they are large and conduct mass recruitment. It's also used when interpersonal skills are essential for the position.
4. Preparation. While candidates are generally informed in advance, they usually don't know the specifics. Surprise is part of the process! However, preparation is possible. Gather as much information as possible about the offered positions to deduce the evaluated character traits. "To gather more information, I contacted alumni already in these roles to learn more about their interviews and company culture," explains Benjamin Claus, a young sales engineer. You can also call HR to learn about the type of group interview.
5. Winning behaviors. Many candidates believe they need to shine at all costs. However, even for sales roles, assert yourself respectfully: demonstrate your ability to argue your position while considering others' viewpoints; show you can politely regain the floor if interrupted. In short, show interest in the discussion by staying calm and polite; don't monopolize the conversation, even help quiet candidates speak (team spirit), structure your speech, and highlight priorities.
Apec.fr
Posted June 5, 2013.
1. The objective. A group interview brings together several candidates for one or more positions. More economical for the company, this method also assesses candidates' social skills and reveals their true personalities, as they are less likely to control their reactions in a group discussion. This type of meeting is a recruitment tool, not just an information session. It's generally a pre-selection method; successful candidates are then invited for an individual interview.
2. The context. Typically, a group interview involves about ten candidates. It begins with a company and position presentation, followed by introductions. Then, the serious part begins: for about an hour, under the watchful eye of one or more recruiters, participants will discuss a topic or handle a professional situation. For example, this could involve making and defending a decision or designing and presenting a project.
3. Industries that use them. Group interviews were once confined to specific sectors like retail. Now, their use has expanded, particularly in banking, insurance, and IT, for sales and consulting roles. A common factor among companies using this method: they are large and conduct mass recruitment. It's also used when interpersonal skills are essential for the position.
4. Preparation. While candidates are generally informed in advance, they usually don't know the specifics. Surprise is part of the process! However, preparation is possible. Gather as much information as possible about the offered positions to deduce the evaluated character traits. "To gather more information, I contacted alumni already in these roles to learn more about their interviews and company culture," explains Benjamin Claus, a young sales engineer. You can also call HR to learn about the type of group interview.
5. Winning behaviors. Many candidates believe they need to shine at all costs. However, even for sales roles, assert yourself respectfully: demonstrate your ability to argue your position while considering others' viewpoints; show you can politely regain the floor if interrupted. In short, show interest in the discussion by staying calm and polite; don't monopolize the conversation, even help quiet candidates speak (team spirit), structure your speech, and highlight priorities.
Apec.fr
Posted June 5, 2013.
