GROUP INTERVIEW

During this type of interview, interviewers and interviewees stay together in a meeting room and both, interaction and behavior of interviewees, are evaluated. Number of interviewers is relative, sometimes there may be only one person (a supervisor or manager) and sometimes it involves more people (staff, human resources manager and supervisors).

Other skills that are evaluated during the interview are leadership, communication, delegation and analyzing and solving skills.

The interview is conducted through a presentation about the company with detailed information on the position applicants are seeking. Sometimes a work drill is held (in order to assess planning skills, ability to organize and work in team as well as the ability to influence co-workers) by introducing applicant to a problem that has to be solved in team, a questions and answers session is also typical with these interviews.

Individual questions are also asked and individual knowledge is valued.

In some cases hypothetical situations are presented and candidates are evaluated during the process of arguing and influencing other candidates and interviewers.

These interviews are popular because they help the company save a lot of time by evaluating applicants in a fast and reliable way. Once the potential candidates for the position are chosen a second interview (one on one) is held.

Tips:

• Check who arrives early and who arrives late.
• Surprise factor is important, check how people manage it!
• Do not forget to introduce yourself and see who does.
• The way interviewees manage stress is fundamental.
• Check for candidates that take criticism and give a constructive feedback.
• Check for people that have an idea of the company and the position offered.
• Check for power conflicts.
• Remember a potential candidate must look confident and participative but not dominating and aggressive.
• Check for applicants that interrupt applicants and applicants that listen and praise other candidates for their opinions.
• Check for body language.
• Applicants that pay attention and have a good thinking usually make the most interesting questions.
• Look for active people.
• Remember those applicants who thanked you and said good bye before leaving.