Group Interviews and Assessment Centre style interviews can often be quite a daunting prospect for some. However, it’s important to be aware that many employers are using this style of interview to find their newest talent.
Why? There are a few reasons that a business may choose to conduct group interviews:
- Cost: It wastes less time, and therefore money, so employers will conduct one large interview from which the strongest candidates can be selected.
- Behaviour: A prospective recruiter wants to see how you work within a team, and a group interview is a perfect way to assess this.
- Pressure: This type of interview can be challenging, with the added pressure of having to interact with and speak in front of other candidates. Therefore the employer will gain an insight into how you behave under pressure.
Overall, these interviews can create in-depth and telling pictures of who candidates are in the eyes of the recruiter, so it’s important to really shine in this environment. These tips will help you stand out from the pack:
Prepare
Don’t discount your group interview as any less serious or important than a one to one, it will have just as big an impact on your chances of securing the role. Prepare in the same way you would normally; do research, dress well, be prompt. However, it is advisable not to over-rehearse your responses as the interview is designed to be natural and spontaneous.
TIP: It may be useful to have some interesting or funny facts about yourself ready in the back of your mind in case there is an icebreaker activity.
Confidence or Arrogance?
There’s a fine line. Remember, the recruiter is not just assessing your strengths and skills, but also your personality. They need to know that you can work well with others and that you communicate well. Group interviews can highlight anything from leadership potential to teamwork abilities and interpersonal skills – so yes, you need to show that you are confident in a group. The key is to be confident without being too domineering. Dominating too much can put recruiters off, so make sure that you are listening to the other members of the group, acknowledging their points and don’t be dismissive of their ideas, even if you disagree with them. If someone else at the interview is displaying such behaviour, don’t be tempted to compete otherwise you will be tarred with the same brush. It’s best to listen to them and, if necessary, challenge them diplomatically.
Build Rapport and Be a Team Player
It’s crucial to really show that you are a great team player. The first thing to do is to build rapport with other members of the group. A good time to do this is before the activities begin or during an icebreaker activity. Ask them questions and tell them about yourself, letting your personality show. Inspirational speaker Tony Robbins has some great tips on how to build rapport.
To show that you are a team player, be attentive and mindful. If there is a quieter person in the group, try to include them and ask their views. Acknowledge and praise what others say, a nice touch is to build on this or refer back to their points later. Use your body language to show that you are listening to and focused on what people are saying. Even if you think you have a really great idea, make sure any decisions are agreed on by the majority of the group, showing support for the final decision even if your ideas weren’t taken up.
Subtle ways you can display leadership skills, whilst still working together with the team include delegating activities (checking everyone is happy with their task first) and acting as a timekeeper for the group.
Think Outside of the Box
Remember that you are being assessed – it’s not just about completing the activities you are set, it’s about who you are and what you would offer. Bearing this in mind, it is advisable to try to be innovative; show that you can think differently to the other candidates, showcase your creativity and ability to improvise. This can be done by approaching tasks in a different way and suggesting alternative methods or ideas. Use this as an opportunity to show why you are unique.
Don’t Lose Sight of Things
When you’re getting to know your fellow interviewees and getting stuck into tasks, it’s easy to get drawn in. So, it may be worth reminding yourself that this is still an interview. Remember the reason you’re there – you want the job! Don’t lose sight of what you know about the company, the role and its requirements, making sure that you display your knowledge alongside the skills needed for the job during the interview. It’s also important to balance being friendly with maintaining your professionalism.
Follow Up
Whether you’ve attended a group or a one to one interview, following up is always recommended. However, the benefits of doing this after a group interview or assessment centre are massive: it gives you the chance to remind the recruiters who you are, another opportunity to highlight your strengths and qualifications and, of course, to thank them for meeting with you. This is something the employers will appreciate, and not all of the other candidates will necessarily do this, so you’ll definitely be in the good books!
TIP: If you are going to follow up with the recruiters after your interview, preferably by telephone, ensure you do this in good time (ideally within 24 hours of having met with them).
Implementing these tips into your group interview will surely help you do well and to really stand out, make sure that you let your personality shine.
Now go and show them how it’s done!
