Employers use different types of interviews to evaluate job candidates. There is the screening interview to determine if a person is a viable candidate. There is the stress interview, which simulates stressful situations to see how the candidate responds. There is the behavioral interview, where the candidate need to show how he or she will respond to some hypothetical situation.

And then there is the panel interview. This is where several people question the candidate during the interview session. It can be a rather daunting situation for a job candidate, since he or she must deal with several people asking questions. But there are things you can do to prepare for the interview and tactics you can use during the interview to increase your chances of success. Here are a few.

See if you can determine who is on the panel.

Panelists generally will come from different departments of the organization. One will probably be your prospective supervisor. Others will most likely be supervisors from other departments, administration or human resources.

Each person will be asking questions that are connected to his or her particular problems, interests, goals and operations. So, if you find out who these people are, you can prepare for questions that they are likely to ask.

Talk to the whole group.

When someone asks you a question, it is natural to direct your attention only to that person. But you need to remember that there are several people who are interviewing you. So, after you have answered the initial question, address the others in the group as well and how the question relates to their departments.

Good body language.

It is important when you are talking to someone to look them in the eye. It creates an impression of honesty and integrity. So as you talk to the interviewers, look them in the eye. But not only that, turn your whole body toward the person you are talking to so that you are facing the person directly.

Prepare for interruptions.

With several people on the panel, each is going to want to get their questions answered. And so you may be interrupted while you are answering a question. Don’t panic. You are the one who should direct the conversation. Don’t rush because of the interruptions.

If someone breaks in while you are still talking, respond politely that you will get to their question as soon as you finish answering the first one.

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