Let’s face it. Job interviews are stressful situations. However, if you find you’ll be facing a panel of interviewers, rather than just one, your stress level might rise a few notches.

It’s only natural, after all. Whether you’re currently employed, or unemployed, there’s a lot on the line and you want to make the best impression possible at a job interview. And when there’s multiple people involved, it’s that much harder to “wow” them.

However, as one of the top employment firms in Rancho Cordova, we’re here to tell you to relax. Whether you’re facing a single interviewer, or a panel of them, they all have the same end result in mind: they want to hire the best candidate possible. Likewise, you should look at a panel interview as an opportunity to get an even better sense of the potential employer.

In addition, employers don’t conduct panel interviews to torment you (at least, we hope not!). Many times, there are multiple people involved in the hiring decision and it just makes sense to schedule an interview together. It actually works out better for you, as well, since you won’t have to attend interview after interview with different decision makers, which could be daunting.

So who exactly is usually at panel interviews?

Your panel interview could include any mix of people, from the company president and an HR representative to your potential manager and a future co-worker. If you’re not sure who will be present, then connect with your contact at the company ahead of time and ask for a list of names. That way, you’ll be able to conduct some research on each one before your interview and learn more about who they are and what they do. Even if that information doesn’t serve you during the interview, it will help you feel better prepared and therefore more in control.

How should you prepare for a panel interview?

Research the potential employer ahead of time, just like you would with any other kind of interview. Check out their website and Google the company name for any news items. You can also look to LinkedIn and Facebook for any company pages or profiles. Based on your research, then develop a list of questions about the position, the company, and its culture.

Should you do anything different from an interview with a single individual?

One thing to be careful about in a panel interview is to be sure to make eye contact with everyone. Even if one person is asking the bulk of the questions, don’t just direct all your answers to that person. You’ll likely offend the others if you do.

For more interviewing tips, read our blog about 5 common beliefs about job interviews that aren’t always true.

If you’d like some additional help finding a job in Rancho Cordova, let us know. As one of Rancho Cordova’s top employment firms, we will work closely with you to find a job that best suits your skills and career goals.

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