According to SHRM, a group interview is a common job interview format in which several candidates are interviewed simultaneously for similar positions. This format is typically used for employers who are looking to hire a larger number of employees.
For example, group interviews may be useful to hire for roles such as Customer Service Executive, Air Stewards, and restaurant workers. For job titles that are more specific such as Doctor, Lawyer, and Marketing Manager, group interviews may not be suitable as compared to a 1-to-1 interview format.
While searching for the best jobs in Malaysia, you may come across jobs that require you to attend face-to-face, group interviews. Already sweating just by thinking about it? Don’t worry as we’ll guide you on how to attend group interviews successfully.
Top Tips to Ace Group Interviews
1. Be Attentive
The ability to listen carefully is always required in job interviews but becomes extra important when it comes to group interviews. Aside from listening to the interviewer’s questions carefully, you should focus on listening when other candidates are speaking.
Even if they are not directly addressing you in their speeches, it’s crucial to take note of their answers and points. By doing that, you’ll be able to devise creative and better answers on the spot, which could bring tremendous advantages when answering the same questions.
Also, focus on the body language and facial expressions of everyone else in the room to try and gauge the situation. You may be able to avoid answering an answer wrongly or even establish a better connection with the interviewer.
2. Be Friendly
When you first arrive at the venue, try to be approachable even though the other applicants are technically your “competitors”. Don’t be afraid to mingle around and get a good glance at the people you’re interviewing together with on that day.
While the session is going on, be respectful when other candidates are answering – do not laugh at their answers and/or cut them off. Always remember that even though not all of you will be getting the job offer, you may still work with these people in the future.
Remember to smile, stay positive, and stay focused while other people are answering questions.
3. Stand Out From The Crowd
Being in a group interview is all about strategising. After all, there’s only one interviewer versus a few of you, which means the interviewer’s attention has to be split and fought for.
In this situation, the best option for you to succeed is to stand out from the other candidates in the room. You must highlight your ability to stay relevant in a room full of people, showcase your expertise and establish your authority.
Show your confidence when answering questions and sharing experiences to solidify your position as the most ideal candidate for the applied role. Speak clearly and maintain good body posture and eye contact.
Being attentive in the earlier tip is also a good way to stand out from your competition – by customising your answers and tactics, you’d be able to show that you’re truly different (in a good way) and attentive to details.
4. Follow Up
Speaking about standing out, here’s what most group interview attendees forget to do – send a follow-up/Thank You email to the interviewer.
At the end of the day, the interviewer may have had so many interviews with dozens of people. Hence, sending a follow-up email (when done correctly) is just like a great dessert after a meal – effective in imprinting a lasting impression.
Be sure to grab this opportunity to show that you are truly serious about the role, and clearly elaborate on why you’re the best person for the job.
5. Be Well Prepared
The last thing you’d want to do is to be seen as ill-prepared. Luckily for you, we’ve prepared some guides just for you:
- Interview Files to Prepare
- Best Answers For Job Interview Questions
- Other Important “Dos & Don’ts” You Should Know
Being well prepared will not only increase the chances for your interview success but also ensure a good first impression and establish rapport to set you up for future success.
Final Remarks
Now that you are fully prepared for group interviews, it’s time to ace them and land your dream job! You may start by applying for majestic jobs in Malaysia at Job Majestic – simply create an account in 5 minutes and start exploring!
Before you go, remember this final piece of advice. You should be totally honest when attending your job interviews, especially group interviews as you’d definitely not want to embarrass yourself in front of other candidates.
If you need more career guidance, check out our interview guides on video conferencing and face-to-face job interviews!
