GROUP INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Be a good listener.

An important part of working with a team is being a good listener. Listen carefully to what both the interviewers and your fellow candidates are saying (use body language to signal your listening). When you answer a question, refer back to what the person before you said, which shows you were listening. Try to quickly learn (and say) the names of the candidates and the interviewers, which will further demonstrate your listening skills.

How to Make the Best Impression

Because you will primarily be evaluated, in a group interview, upon your ability to work well with others, be both confident and respectful. You want to make sure your voice is heard during the interview, but you also do not want to dominate the interview. When you see an opportunity to speak, calmly do so, but do not cut other people off or appear too impatient and competitive. After the interview is over, be sure to send a thank you letter to every interviewer on the panel. Try to mention something specific about your interview to prompt the employers to remember you; both this and the fact that you took the time to write a thank you letter will help you to stand out from the other candidates they've interviewed for the job.

Be a leader.

If you are working on a team project, find an opportunity to lead. This does not mean steamrolling your group. Leading can be as simple as including everyone and making sure everyone has a task. If you reflect on the project with the interviewer, be sure to give credit to your teammates.

Be prepared.

Take the time to prepare for the interview by reviewing the interview questions you'll most likely be asked, making a list of questions to ask the interviewer, and brushing up your interview skills.

Describe your career history and future goals in 30 seconds.

What They Want to Know: Answering this question isn't difficult if you prepare ahead of time. Touch upon the most significant parts of your education, how you've progressed in your career, and what you hope to do in the future. Example: I chose to attend the University of Columbia in Missouri because of its outstanding journalism program, and was immediately hired after graduation to work as a cub reporter at the Big City Times. During my six years there I advanced to become their beat reporter for local and then state politics, during which time I won awards for breaking the XYZ voting scandal in 2016 and the 2018 revelation of Senator Graft's connection to organized crime. While I love political field reporting, I hope to eventually turn my talents towards editing and to writing political commentary.

What interested you in our company?

What They Want to Know: Employers prefer candidates who have made the effort to research their organization before they walk in for an interview. Don't make the mistake of walking in blind - do your homework so you can bring up a few "talking points" that demonstrate your interest in their company. Example: I have an entrepreneurial mindset, and it's always been my hope to be hired by a newly-launched company so that I can contribute to their growth and, hopefully, become an invaluable member of their organization. You're already being recognized in the media for your revolutionary "green" products - environmental protection is a cause I believe in deeply, and so I know I would be an effective sales advocate for your company as your next brand manager.

How would your colleagues describe you?

What They Want to Know: Hiring managers ask this question to measure your level of self-perception, compare your answers to what your references have said, and predict how well you would fit into their company culture. Example: My colleagues would say that I'm an enthusiastic and dedicated team member. I believe that most projects benefit from being performed collaboratively, and so I'm willing both to do my part and to jump in when another team member needs assistance. It's also fun to build morale by cheering everyone else on and coming up with funny awards when we reach benchmarks.

How do you work in a team?

What They Want to Know: It should be clear from the job listing to which you've applied whether you will be expected to work collaboratively, independently, or both. Structure your answer here carefully, particularly if it's clear from the job ad that teamwork is an essential part of the role. Example: I've always preferred working on teams to working independently, which comes from having been an avid student athlete in high school and college. I think that being a good team member requires that you proactively maintain open lines of communication with your associates and your team lead, and so I make sure that I actively listen to others, see where I can jump in to help them out, and try to mediate conflicts when they arise.

Why do you want this job?

What They Want to Know: The employer is interested here in whether you've taken the time to deeply examine whether the job they are offering is a good match for your professional experience and career aspirations. Example: I'm ready to take the next step in my career, which is why I recently earned my CPA certification after working as a corporate AP, AR, and tax accountant for three years. I'm adept in using QuickBooks and TurboTax for financial and tax reporting, and I would embrace the challenge of working with your clients to streamline and optimize their tax reporting processes.

What do you have to offer the company?

What They Want to Know: This is a "why should we hire you?" question, and thus offers you the opportunity to make a successful "sales pitch" for your qualifications to prove that you're the best candidate for the job. Example: I can offer you eight years' experience in luxury auto sales, during which period I have never failed to exceed my managers' quarterly production goals. From childhood I've been a car enthusiast - my Dad was a mechanic, and I know how to rebuild a car from parts. I've been told my enthusiasm for innovative new automotive technologies is contagious, and customers appreciate that I can talk not only about comfort features, but also about the advantages of internal mechanical, electrical, and computerized systems.

How would you describe yourself?

What They Want to Know: This is a standard rephrasing of the ubiquitous "tell me about yourself question" that interviewers pose at the beginning of interviews. While it's strategic to focus upon traits, interests, and experiences that complement the primary qualifications the employer is seeking in their new hire, it's also important to make your answer personal enough that your listeners feel like they've learned something unique and interesting about you as an individual. Example: I'm a lifelong "foodie," home gardener, and home brewer who reads cookbooks for pleasure; I'm never happier than when I'm in my kitchen testing new recipes. That's why I enjoy waitressing so much - even though I haven't earned my professional chef's certification yet, it's a delight for me to be able to make menu and drink pairing recommendations to customers.

Be yourself.

While you should make your voice heard, do not feel like you have to be extremely vocal if you are shy. Answer questions thoughtfully - it is better to answer a couple of questions with purpose than to talk a lot without purpose. Being a good listener who answers questions carefully can still set you apart from the group without forcing you to be someone you are not.