Loud Thinking

Show You Can Handle a Group Interview

Group interviews are tougher than one-on-ones. To succeed in this kind of setting, you have to prepare. Do your due diligence to gather information that can help you break the ice with the interviewers. Then once you’re in the room:
Greet them individually. Don’t sit right down and wait to be grilled. Walk around and introduce yourself.
Don’t be a wimp. They want a leader, not someone who shies away from controversy and tries to make everyone happy. But if you’re pushing back, soften it with a question: Ask, “What do clients say about your current marketing approach?” instead of, “It doesn’t look like your marketing approach is working.”
Manage the meeting. Act as the facilitator of the group. If one person won’t stop talking, turn him off politely. If someone hasn’t said much, let her into the conversation. Make sure every interviewer has had a chance to be heard.

Adapted from “ Ace the Group Interview” by Priscilla Claman.