Here's how you can ace a panel interview.

Don’t limit yourself to desktop research. As much as possible, try and meet with people from the company and the relevant team/s to gain vital insights into the business. These cannot be gleaned off publicly available sources and will help to inform your entire approach.

Research well about the organization and the structure. Prepare well, hold practice sessions.Be confident. Answer honestly.Relate from practical experience how you added value.In tight situations pause , think and answer. Have a warm and pleasant disposition throughout. Do not react.Follow up

To ace a panel interview, thoroughly research the company and panelists, understand the job role, and prepare answers using the STAR method. Dress appropriately, arrive early, and engage with each panelist by making eye contact and addressing them directly. Listen carefully, provide structured responses, and showcase teamwork skills. After the interview, send personalized thank-you emails to each panelist, reflecting on specific points discussed. Stay calm, confident, and authentic throughout the process, and be well-prepared by understanding the interview format and structure.

It is always opportunity to connect with someone from the company. People are friendly when you share interest about their companies. It is always possible to obtain insights that are not confidential, but much more rich than publicly available information.

The best advice I can give a panelist is to be authentic and to bring your unique experiences to your panel experience. People resonate with stories they can relate to. Being yourself is truly the best strategy. Beyond that, doing your homework so you fully understand the audiences who will be at the panel, what they care about, and what challenges they face, will help you prepare and deliver the right messages with confidence. Also, noone likes a mic hog - give all panelists a chance to equally share their experiences. Listen with intention, be respectful and and add value with a varied perspective where it is appropriate.

The best way to engage a panel is by telling a story. Then watch who in the panel is most interested and talk to them, tell them the story like you’re sitting in a bar over a beer. If they ask you “the accomplishment you’re most proud of?” (One of my favorite questions to ask, BTW). A lame candidate says “Winning the State Debate Championship in High School” lame as can be. You say; “I was really shy in high school, you know, terrified to talk to girls, always picked last for gym class. You probably know that kid from your own high school. Well my dad said he’d mow the lawn every week instead of me if I joined the debate club. I jumped at the chance to get out of that chore, so I started debating….blah blah blah, story,story. Hired!

Picture yourself engaging in mock interviews where you simulate the panel environment, allowing you to get comfortable with addressing multiple people and handling varied questions. This practice helps you refine your responses, ensuring they are succinct yet impactful. It’s like rehearsing for a performance; the more you practice, the more you internalize your message, allowing your confidence to grow. Pay attention to your body language, eye contact, and the flow of your answers, so that when the actual interview day arrives, you walk in not as a nervous candidate, but as a seasoned professional ready to impress. This blend of preparation transforms uncertainty into assurance, making the real interview feel like a well-rehearsed dialogue.

Practicing will surely help individuals who are shy to speak in public but more importantly developing a the art of listening is very crucial because panel interviews are very limited in terms of the available time to speak therefore your contribution must be very timely and catchy but short and impactful.

With that previous question, you have them shocked, intrigued and totally ready to dive in. So give it to them. You’ve studied the company, the job, the expectations, and you’ve aligned your skills and experience, in your mind, with those expectations. So next ask them: “You want to do X. And when you called me for this interview I thought, “I can help them achieve X because that’s what I do: I’m pretty great at this.” It’s over for them buddy. You just did a Djokovic return on the court and there’s not a Nadal or Federer in sight that can return it without respect!

Using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure my responses to behavioral questions has been highly effective. This method helps me provide clear and concise answers that showcase my problem-solving abilities and achievements.

If it is a virtual interview, then you may want to dress properly (smart and professional) and be sure you got a strong internet connection and a working webcam. Being present in the virtual meeting room before panelists sign in is equally important. It removes panic and shows you are ready or timely.

A strong introduction of yourself opens the way for panelist to take a keen interest in you. To be honest, it might bring about more questions however don’t be anxious. Relax take your time to speak and command attention with your confidence, tone of voice, eye contact and body language.

Picture yourself walking into the room with a confident smile, greeting each panel member warmly and making direct eye contact. Your introduction should be compelling and concise, providing a snapshot of your professional journey and unique value proposition. This initial impression is your opportunity to capture their attention and showcase your enthusiasm for the role. Imagine starting with an engaging anecdote that highlights your relevant achievements and aligns with the company's values—something that not only demonstrates your skills but also resonates emotionally with the panel. This powerful opening will help you stand out, building a foundation of interest and rapport that you can build upon throughout the rest of the interview.

Dress for the role you want to have. Choose comfortable clothes but ones that match their culture and the role you hope to get. Give them the image that you will be that person, if not now, in a few years, to them. And wear that outfit around beforehand. Get comfortable in it. If it’s a suit, wear it a few days before and learn how to reach for a drink, talk comfortably, give every indication it’s your element. This makes people feel relieved and confident. It doesn’t matter if the job is for a CEO role or for the lobby receptionist: people love others who make them feel, “He/she got this! I can feel good with them around!”

First Impressions Matter: Greeting: Greet each panelist warmly, making eye contact and offering a firm handshake. Introduction: Provide a concise and engaging self-introduction, highlighting your key strengths and experiences relevant to the role. Confidence: Start confidently to set a positive tone for the interview.

Listen for understanding,ask clarification questions if you for not understand the question,keep calm it is probably the perfomance or audition of your life.Give concise examples of your previous victories.Do not be shy to highlight how you can turn your weaknesses into strength,be humble but also be strong in your points of view,be believable you are the domain knowledge expert at that time in point.

Engaging everyone in a panel interview is an art that can significantly enhance your chances of success. Imagine distributing your attention evenly, making each panel member feel seen and valued. As you answer questions, make a point to address the entire group, subtly shifting your gaze to include everyone in the conversation. This fosters a sense of inclusivity and respect, showing that you recognize the importance of their collective input. Visualize using names and referencing their unique roles or questions, which adds a personal touch and demonstrates that you’ve done your homework. Active listening is critical to acknowledging and building on different viewpoints to create an expected growth and understanding dialogue.

In my experience, engaging all panelists is not just about politeness, but also about demonstrating leadership qualities such as inclusivity and the ability to command a room. As a leader, you're often required to address groups and ensure all voices are heard. This approach in an interview setting mirrors real-world scenarios where a leader must navigate group dynamics and foster a culture of collaboration.

Listen carefully to the question and ensure that you answer it succinctly. Then turn this to a discussion by asking a really good reciprocal question in the same vain about the hiring organisation. This demonstrates thought leadership and the appetite and courage to identify opportunities for improvement even before you are an employee. Rather than put the panel on the spot, open questions to better understand the organisation’s context and challenges can show that you are fully aware that the hiring process requires the employer and the candidate to see compatibility and value in each other.

Study the body language of all the panelist and engage everyone especially the ones that seem to be not interested. Just a simple smile does the trick most of the time.

If you notice that the environment is breathing aggression. You have the ability to slow things down. Take your time and speak. Craft your responses strategically by answering the questions in a very sequential and pleasant manner. One response can answer two questions at a time and even the potential questions if you can preempt the line of questioning.

In the heat of a panel interview, remember to pause and breathe deeply. This simple act can work wonders in managing pressure, allowing you to refocus and gather your thoughts for a calm, composed response. Don't feel rushed, taking a moment before answering is acceptable. Rephrase the question if needed; this buys you extra time while ensuring you fully understand what's being asked. Above all, remain honest and true to yourself. There's no need to fabricate stories – the panel wants to see the genuine you. Speak from the heart, drawing upon real-life experiences that showcase your capabilities. By breathing mindfully, taking your time, and responding authentically, you'll exude confidence and poise, leaving a lasting impression.

One way of handling the pressure especially when multiple questions are coming your way is to note the questions from each panel member and politely ask that you finish with one question before answering them. Never respond to a question you didn't understand well due to pressure. Kindly ask that the question be repeated. This gives you time to calm down and reflect.

Nowadays thanks to generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot etc. it isn't; too difficult to get a set of commonly asked questions for the role you are interviewing for. Once you do this, you can prepare the answers and have them ready as bullet points. This helps deal with stressful situation where your memory goes blank when asked a question that you weren't expecting. It also makes you look like a pro.

Visualize staying composed and grounded, even when faced with tough questions or unexpected curveballs. Take a deep breath and give yourself a moment to gather your thoughts before responding. This brief pause shows confidence and allows you to deliver a more considered answer. Imagine framing challenging questions as opportunities to showcase your problem-solving abilities and resilience your ability to stay poised under pressure sends a powerful message about your readiness for the job. Engage in a mental dialogue that reinforces your preparation and adaptability, reminding yourself of past successes where you’ve thrived under similar circumstances. Establishing clear, thoughtful communication helps create a sense of control and composure

Following up after a panel interview is a crucial but often overlooked step. Within 24 hours, send a concise thank-you email to each interviewer. Personalise each message by referencing a specific point you discussed with that individual. Reiterate your interest in the role and highlight how your qualifications make you the ideal candidate. If there was any additional information you forgot to provide, include it here. Finally, express your appreciation for their time and consideration. A thoughtful, timely follow-up demonstrates your professionalism and keeps you top-of-mind with the hiring team. It's a simple but impactful way to leave a lasting positive impression.

Most people think that attending the interview is the end of the process - but it isn't. Follow up is just as crucial. It really shows that you care about the role. And it is just polite. If you can, send the panelists a personalized video. It really goes a long way. If you're camera shy, go with a personalised email.

Express Gratitude: Thank You: Send a personalized thank-you email to each panelist, expressing your appreciation for their time and insights. Reiterate Interest: Reinforce your interest in the position and briefly mention key points discussed during the interview. Timeliness: Send your follow-up within 24 hours of the interview.

It is crucial to be concise. You can't fit all your achievements into a single session. I've seen many candidates turn their introductions into a complete career-life journey. Remember, we meet with multiple people for each role. Long-winded stories get lost in the crowd. Be clear, concise, and impactful with your narrative. Get to the point quickly. And always, if you have data to support your story, use it. Data is far more memorable than loose anecdotes.

Always remember that the panellists are just people too - and they also want you to succeed and have a positive experience. Think about the context of the panellists too, they may have had a busy day/ work pressure, so might not be on their best form. As long as you're prepared and have three main points you want to get across then just be yourself.

Leave every interview believing it’s made you stronger: as it has. Remember, these guys may not even be serious. Companies have politics you’ll never figure out from the outside. So never ever take a rejection personally. Take note that these people prepared to meet you and that someone saw something in you. Hopefully, if you read what I and others said here, you figured out what that was. Now lean into that. Make it you. That’s your weapon. Sharpen it. Hone it on your resume and aim for the next “victim”. Eventually, if you have the right stuff you will get a role and someone will realize it. But don’t forget what I said: You don’t need this. They need you! Now go out there and be Djokovic!

Panel interviews can be challenging especially if the questions come to you rapid fire and the panelists don't allow you a lot of time to reply. Don't be afraid to say you need a moment to collect your thoughts before answering their questions.