How to handle group interviews?

1. Types of group interveiwers.

The Networking Cocktails -
usually done in big groups of 30-100, potential candidates will come to meet the interviewers or the hiring mangers to listen to their general introduction about the company and for the candidates to have informal  discusssions with the hiring mangers to ask questions about the job before applying.  Food or drinks may be provided. You may eat/drink but don't just focus on the food/drinks. Focus on asking the right questions to lern about the job. Asking about about what questions will be asked during the real interview is like annoucing your own death sentence as far as group interview is concerned as it presents a very bad impression to the employers. Try to be enthusiastic , positive and open to learn about new things and how the job is about.

The Panel Discussions -
usually done in smaller groups of  2 -7 people. One or more interviewers will ask a general questions to the group and expect any of the canddiates to answer. Sometimes the interviewers plays the role of a facilitator and may help to redirect some questions to the candidates who have not had a chance to speak, but this is not always the case. This is to test the interpersonal skill of candidates, how they work in a group (teamwork) and how self-initiative the candidate is.

The Group Projects -
usually done in a smaller group of 2 - 10 people. The interviwer will give each individual a set of project material with information about the project, what questions need to be solved, etc.
Do not take for granted that the project materials given to each candidate in the group will be the same. Sometimes, it could be different. Candidates are given some time to read the material. Then must start collobrating with one another to complete the project. Candidates may be given a business issue, and ask  to recommend or choose a solution, and how to execute the solution. Sometimes, it is required to put the answers on a hand written report. Sometimes, only verbal presentation is required at the end of the allowed time. The interviwers will be observing the candidantes to note how they collaborate with one another to solve the problem. This is to understand how candidates performs in  a simulated work environment, who has leadership potential or other characteristics that will fit the role that the company is hiring for.



2. Why group interviews?
Individual interviews may not reflect the true characteristics of the canddiates as canned response to questions are so easy to be prepared , memorized and played back.
Employors want to see the real you. and how you perform in a team. What you really know. Who you really are. Do you have potential to be a real leader, or you have poor teamwork.

3. Do
be polite
voice out your opinion
stand for your view point
come to a consensus
be a leader
take care of others
use your toastmasters skills

4. Don't
just sit there, say something
be shy
be arrogant
be a fake leader
lose it
vote for a solution

5. Preparation
Research about the company and the industry
Recap your experience that relates to the company or the industry
Practice by visualizing the group interview in your mind

Preparatory questions for job interview

Preparatory questions for job interview

(I)                Questions for understanding

Q1. What is your favorite hobby?

Q2. Why you are interested in this job?

Q3. Why you are interested in toastmastering?

Q4. How long have you been with working as _____?

Q5. You seldom travel, why?

Q6. Why you are interested in this job?

(II)             Questions for testing your self-confidence

Q1.  Describe one of your weaknesses?

l   People say I am a person with principles which means I stand firm on my viewpoints sometimes.  However, that depends on the nature of circumstances. I think one needs to know where he or she is standing otherwise the others will not understand your feelings.

l   I am a person who tends to procrastinate and I am working on it now.

l   I could be very nosy at times.  However, it’s just that I want to find out the things that are of common interests for better communication.

l   My friends used to describe me as “simple-minded”. They think that I trust people too easily.

l   My friends used to describe me as a helper who is very eager to share even at the expense of my own costs.  This is because sometimes I offer my help without assessing the situation of myself.

Q2.  Describe one of your strengths in work or as a person?

l   At work, I could be a reliable person.

l   I take pride in my ability to cope with changes by being flexible.

l   My previous boss was deeply impressed with my organization power and efficiency.

l   I am resilient when it comes to adverse situations.

Q3.  How you overcome your weaknesses?

l   To err is human, so I accept the fact that I made mistakes but the more significant impact is to get the lessons from those mistakes.

l   From another perspective, simple-mindedness could also be an asset to me because it will tarnish the barriers in interpersonal relationship which makes me gain friendship easily.

l   Helping others is a good virtue.  But I think I need to learn how to prioritize, so when there are several situations come into play, I need to focus on the most important ones such as my family, my job.

Q4.  When compared with the others, why do you think you are better than the others?

Ans : Your company need not spend huge sums of money or time to provide training for me.  I am sure I could cope with the new environment at ease. Moreover, my previous working experience could also help your company to build up a better organizational culture.

Q5. Why you consider yourself as an asset to the company?

Ans:  Every company needs quality staff that are dedicated and committed to the development of the company.  The role as ______ is to bridge the gap between the senior management and subordinates.  How could we provide a closer bonding amongst the staff?  The answer is simply – a cozy and friendly environment.  For this sphere, my experience could certainly create a more lively environment with a lubricating effect on the upward and downward mode of communication. 

(III)          Questions that are embarrassing

Q1. At your age, you are still working as _____, do you know the reason why?

Ans : Simply because I am good at it and I like this job very much.  With my outgoing personality, I find myself more and more inclined in coordination work with other persons.

Q2. From what I observed, your weakness should be ____, do you agree and how you overcome this weakness?

Ans: Thanks for being so honest with me.  My friends used to describe me as___ which I suppose might be due to the fact that they perceive me as this way.  Indeed, different persons have different perceptions.  My character requires me to question before accepting the truth.  May I ask why you have formulated such opinion on me?

Q3. Suppose after you start working for our company, you find out that there is a quarrel between one of your bosses and your colleague, how you hand this situation?

Ans : People used to say that it takes two to tangle. So I need to understand the underlying cause for such quarrel.  Suppose it’s based on some overtime issues, then I think I will try to talk things out from my colleague.  Moreover, I need to identify my boss’s intention in this issue before I know how to help.

(IV)          Questions on sensitive issues

Q1. What are your views towards “working overtime”?

Ans: If it’s not compulsory and work-oriented, I have no particular objection.

Q2. How could you justify your expected salary? 

Ans: I understand that your company has a policy in salary increments. However, based on my last month salary and working experience, I am sure the quality of my service fully commensurate with this salary that I expect. 

Q3. Why you think that we should offer you this job?

Ans: As a multinational organization with a high demand for quality staff, I am sure my working experience could be an asset to your company.

Q4. If you get this job, what do you think of the areas that need improvement for this company?

Ans: It will not be fair for me to comment on any improvements for the company when I have never worked for this company before.  However, based on what I have learned, I understand that every organization has its own unique culture which could be built up by senior management, policies, staff etc.  So the first thing I need to do is to assess the corporate culture before I offer any recommendations on improvement.

Q5. Why you think that we should offer you this pay that you expect?

Ans: Similar to question (2) above.