Owning the Group Interview: Tips, Sample Questions, & Answers

Group interviews are increasingly common when employers need to hire many people at once or need to fill their positions quickly. During a group interview, a single person will interview numerous applicants at once, which is a fast way to narrow their pool of applicants. 

Group interviews present specific challenges, the biggest of which is standing out. You are answering questions alongside your peers, which could be several or even dozens. You might therefore struggle to make an impact and get noticed.

 A group interview can also be stressful, since you are being watched not only by the interviewer, but also by your competition. 

Although group interviews pose unique obstacles, they can also be fun! The best way to excel in a group interview is to practice and prepare fully.

By definition, a group interview involves one or more hiring managers interviewing multiple people at once. You could attend a group interview with several people or many, and each candidate will take turns responding to questions or offering solutions. 

The meaning of a group interview is different from a panel interview. During a panel interview, a single applicant will be interviewed by a team of people. The panel could be hiring managers as well as other pertinent team members. Panel interviews help the company get different perspectives on a single candidate. 

A group panel interview could also combine both elements, in that a team of hiring managers might interview several candidates at once. This allows the company to decide as a team about the best candidates. Whether your group interview involves a panel or a single interviewer, it is a unique experience, different from a one-on-one interview. 

Although group job interviews can seem daunting for the applicants, they offer different benefits to the employer and might be used for different reasons. 

🔎 They can compare candidates side by side. 

One advantage of a group interview is that the employer can compare interviewees in real time and their suitability can be easily contrasted. 

🔎 They can assess applicants’ teamwork skills. 

Group interviews can involve some problem solving as a team or a group discussion in the interview. A group interview is a good way to judge skills like leadership and communication. Someone with strong teamwork skills will be visible in a group interview, as will someone who doesn’t listen well or help others.

🔎 They don’t have time to interview each candidate. 

Sometimes a company will perform a group interview if they are pressed to find a candidate quickly. Rather than hosting multiple one-on-one interviews and assessing each candidate separately, a process which could take months, an employer can interview everyone at once. A group job interview will streamline their hiring process and help them narrow down their pool of applicants more quickly. 

Preparing for a group interview can be overwhelming, but a little groundwork goes a long way. Here are some group interview tips to help you get the position you want. 

💡 Research the company and the role thoroughly.

Someone who understands the company goals, history, and culture will stand out in a group interview. Get clear about the tasks involved in the role and what the company is looking for. 

You can do research online to find out more about the organization or speak to someone in a similar role. The knowledge you gain will give you an advantage in a group interview. 

💡 Be respectful and polite.

It goes without saying that a respectful and positive attitude will go a long way in any interview. Remember that in a group interview there are many qualified candidates who are just as driven as you are, so be professional and respectful toward other candidates. 

💡 Prepare a good self-introduction.

Likely, you’ll be asked during the group interview to tell everyone about yourself. A quick introduction to highlight your skills and background will help you get noticed in a group interview. 

Pick some of the skills you think are relevant to the role or some notable achievements you can touch on in the group interview. Deliver your pitch with confidence to get the interviewer’s attention. 

💡 Help others.

A group interview can be stressful, and it’s often hard to answer group interview questions so publicly. Be gracious and kind to your fellow interviewees. 

If you see an opportunity to help someone during group interview activities, don’t hesitate. A helping attitude also displays your professionalism and your teamwork skills.   

💡 Actively listen to others.

It’s best not to tune out when other interviewees are answering group interview questions. Their group interview questions and answers can help you with your own responses. 

What they say may also come up later, or you can refer to their points when you speak to show you were listening.  

💡 Don’t be afraid to be the first to answer a question.

Although going first in a group interview could leave you feeling vulnerable, if you feel you have a good answer to a particular group interview question, don’t hesitate. 

Being the first could make your answer more memorable during the group interview, and it makes you seem confident. 

💡 Prepare good questions to ask.

It’s common to ask questions during any interview, to show the employer that you are invested in the role, and that you’ve done some research. 

Prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask in a group interview, to help you get noticed. 

Although every role is different, there are some common group interview questions that are likely to come up. Review some of these questions and think of your answers to help you better prepare for your group interview. 

❓ Tell me about yourself. 

This is a staple in any interview, and it’s likely to come up in a group job interview. It’s a good chance to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Be brief and direct. 

❓ Why do you think you’d be a good fit here?

This question is a good way to put your company research to use. When answering this group interview question, make sure you describe how your values and goals align with the company’s. 

❓ What is your biggest weakness and what steps have you taken to overcome it?

This question could come up in a group interview to assess your self-awareness. This group interview question is a good chance to talk about your growth or how you’ve turned a shortcoming into something positive. Make sure you emphasize your progress!

❓ Thinking back to your previous roles, what does a good leader look like to you?

There are likely to be some group interview questions about your previous work history. This group interview question allows the interviewer to assess what you are looking for in a boss.  

❓ Describe a time when a co-worker or supervisor made a decision you disagreed with. How did you resolve the situation?

This group interview question is about your ability to work as a team and be assertive while still respecting people’s differences. Let the interviewer know that you won’t be disagreeable in these situations. 

❓ What was the hardest part of this task?

It’s possible that your group interview will involve some team exercises and activities. When answering this group interview question, talk about how you overcame the challenge of the task. 

❓ What would you have done differently?

This is another question that might come after group interview activities. Reflect on what could have gone better during the task. Being honest during this group interview question will make you seem direct. 

It’s best practice to have some questions for the interviewer. They could be specific to the role or about the company. Preparing some questions to ask in a group interview will help you stand out and make you appear engaged. 

The big difference between asking questions in a group interview compared to a solo interview is that the other candidates will likely have questions as well. Make sure you listen carefully so as not to repeat what anyone else has asked. 

--- Originally written by Tiffany Quinn ---