Panel Interview

pearljam

Hey,

I had a phone interview yesterday for a contract position, the manager wanted me to come in today for a second interview. Says it's supposed to be a panel interview, never experienced this and am wondering what to expect from others experience.

Thanks!

NetworkNewb

In my experience, that panel interview was 3-5 people sitting across from me asking questions. Not much different, just more people. I actually kinda like them more and find them easier since there is more people to talk to.

pearljam

That's what makes me nervous, is I'm an introvert and hate speaking in front of people let alone an interview in front of one person.

NOC-Ninja

I usually get 5 panel interview. The most was 6. lol
Its not that bad. Usually its a manager, director, lead and engineers.

scaredoftests

Well, practice then if you are a introvert. Also, (I know it is hard..) but try to relax and smile!! Write down questions as well. Sometimes, you have to face the issues that scare you. Good luck...(try to imagine all of them in their undies..)

pearljam

Your making me nervous NOC lol

NetworkNewb

I'm kinda in an introvert to. The reason I think it is easier is because the other people seem more comfortable. It isn't just a one on one situation with 2 people who don't know each other. They know eachother and usually end up talking a little bit with one another or will bounce questions of one another. Another reason is because it reduces the chances for those awkward silence inbetween questions. If one doesn't have one, the other usually will.

pearljam

Make sure not to just speak to the person asking the question? Come in with questions written down? Is it usually more technical or more of how you would fit with the team or does it just depend? Anything else?

scaredoftests

pearljam wrote: »

Your making me nervous NOC lol

DON'T be!! Relax. Exercise before hand to release the nervous demons!

pearljam

DON'T be!! Relax. Exercise before hand to release the nervous demons!

Will do! Whatever works, thanks man!

MontagueVandervort

pearljam wrote: »

Your making me nervous NOC lol

Yes, yes, remember nobody can make us anything unless we allow them to.

anhtran35

Take *****.

dialectical

NOC-Ninja wrote: »

I usually get 5 panel interview. The most was 6. lol
I'ts not that bad. Usually its a manager, director, lead and engineers.

I'm picturing you walking in looking like your avatar and saying bring it.

But in seriousness this is probably a great mental exercise (imaging that you're in front of such a panel being grilled by a variety of senior level specialists).

scaredoftests

pearljam wrote: »

Will do! Whatever works, thanks man!

ma'am..

scaredoftests

pearljam wrote: »

Make sure not to just speak to the person asking the question? Come in with questions written down? Is it usually more technical or more of how you would fit with the team or does it just depend? Anything else?

FACE the person asking the questions, COME In with questions written down about the position. Ask questions about the company or tell them what YOU found out researching them. This might be a technical meeting. (it should be). SO, BE PREPARED!!!

PocketLumberjack

NetworkNewb wrote: »

I'm kinda in an introvert to. The reason I think it is easier is because the other people seem more comfortable. It isn't just a one on one situation with 2 people who don't know each other. They know eachother and usually end up talking a little bit with one another or will bounce questions of one another. Another reason is because it reduces the chances for those awkward silence inbetween questions. If one doesn't have one, the other usually will.

I agree with this. I have gotten really comfortable in panel interviews, it is nice to have more people to interact with. Make sure you look around at everyone while giving you answers, not just the person who asked the question.

scaredoftests

but also face the person asking the question, with glances to the other people...

pearljam

Thanks for the help everyone, luckily it ended up only being the hiring manager at the interview. He wants me to come back for a third interview and meet everyone on the team.

NOC-Ninja

dialectical wrote: »

I'm picturing you walking in looking like your avatar and saying bring it.

But in seriousness this is probably a great mental exercise (imaging that you're in front of such a panel being grilled by a variety of senior level specialists).

The first thing I look for is a whiteboard. Their question usually goes "how does this work" and Im like, "can I use the whiteboard?"

blargoe

I had one that had at least 12 people around a huge conference table at an interview for a county government position. The technical questions consisted of a couple of guys reading out of the Microsoft Press exam guides for Windows and Exchange (either 2000 or 2003 at the time) and asking questions directly from that. They didn't like when I responded with answers like (I don't know how the textbook says to do it, but in the real world I ...).

I got a letter from them a month later thanking me for my time and that none of the people they interviewed were qualified for the position, so it was remaining unfilled. Go figure

shimasensei

blargoe wrote: »

I had one that had at least 12 people around a huge conference table at an interview for a county government position. The technical questions consisted of a couple of guys reading out of the Microsoft Press exam guides for Windows and Exchange (either 2000 or 2003 at the time) and asking questions directly from that. They didn't like when I responded with answers like (I don't know how the textbook says to do it, but in the real world I ...).

I got a letter from them a month later thanking me for my time and that none of the people they interviewed were qualified for the position, so it was remaining unfilled. Go figure

Damn....12!? Wow, the most I've had is 3.

And apparently they think textbook = real world. Lol

revbox

Hope you crushed it.

I like you was a bit worried about it, but the two I had were enjoyable. One was pretty formal, where the director, HR person, manager, team lead, and some other executive were present. That one was pretty much all business. The second one was my favorite, as it was just the manager and his team of five. That was more like an informal conversation. This company had a process where each team member could select 3 to 5 questions from a chosen list that had like 1000+ pre-written questions. It seemed way more about personality fit than an actual technical exam. I did not end up taking either position, but was glad to have had that non-traditional interview experience.

pinksj

pearljam wrote: »

Thanks for the help everyone, luckily it ended up only being the hiring manager at the interview. He wants me to come back for a third interview and meet everyone on the team.

That's nice. Looks like you have made it. Congratulations.