What's a Panel Interview, Anyway?

A panel interview is simply a conversation where you, the candidate, meet with two or more interviewers at the same time. These interviewers are usually a mix of people you'd be working with, like your potential manager, future colleagues, an HR representative, and maybe even someone from a department you'll collaborate with.

Companies use this format for a few key reasons:

It's Efficient

It saves everyone time by getting all the key players in one room at the same time.

It Reduces Bias

With multiple people in the room, the final decision is more of a group consensus, which helps reduce the influence of any single person's personal bias.

It Simulates the Job

The modern workplace is collaborative. A panel interview is a great way for employers to see how you handle group dynamics, communicate with different stakeholders, and perform under a bit of pressure.

It's a Two-Way Street

This is your chance to see the team in action! How they interact with each other can tell you a lot about the company culture.

Your Pre-Game Checklist: How to Prepare Without the Panic

A little prep goes a long way in boosting your confidence. Here's how to get ready.

Do Some Friendly Reconnaissance

When the interview is scheduled, it's perfectly acceptable to politely ask for the names and titles of the people on the panel. A quick search on the company website or LinkedIn will give you a sense of their roles and backgrounds. This isn't about flattery; it's about understanding their perspectives. A CFO will care about financial impact, while a future teammate will want to know you're a good collaborator.

Gather Your Greatest Hits (Using the STAR Method)

You have a career full of accomplishments, but the key is to present them as compelling, concise stories. The STAR method is a simple and powerful way to structure your answers to behavioral questions (like "Tell me about a time when...").

S - Situation

Briefly set the scene. What was the context?

T - Task

What was your specific goal?

A - Action

What specific steps did you take? This is the core of your story, so use "I" statements to show ownership.

R - Result

What was the positive outcome? Quantify it if you can (e.g., "increased efficiency by 15%").

Prepare 5-7 of these stories that align with the job description. This way, you're not scripting answers but creating a flexible "story bank" you can pull from.

Prepare Your Own Questions

The questions you ask are just as important as the answers you give. Having thoughtful questions ready shows you're engaged and genuinely interested. Avoid anything you could have easily Googled. Instead, try asking about:

The Role: "What would success look like in the first 90 days in this position?"

The Team: "Can you describe the team's communication style?"

The Company: "What gets you most excited about the company's future?"

Game Day: Owning the Room

You've done the prep. Now it's time to shine.

Engage the Whole Panel

This is the golden rule of panel interviews. When someone asks a question, start your answer by making eye contact with them. As you continue, naturally shift your gaze to include the other panelists before returning to the original questioner at the end. This makes everyone feel included and shows you're a great communicator.

Embrace the Pause

Don't feel pressured to answer immediately. Taking a brief pause to collect your thoughts doesn't look like weakness—it shows you're thoughtful and composed.

Keep it Concise

Aim to keep your answers focused and under 90 seconds. You can always ask, "Did that answer your question?" if you want to offer more detail.

The Seasoned Pro's Playbook: Turning Experience into an Advantage

For those with a long and successful career, your experience is your superpower. Here's how to leverage it.

Frame Your Value

Instead of just saying you have "20+ years of experience," talk about what you've accomplished in that time. Frame your deep knowledge as a source of stability and mentorship for the team.

Show, Don't Just Tell

Proactively mention modern software, tools, or methodologies you're comfortable with. Talking about how you used Slack, Asana, or an Agile framework can quickly dispel any outdated stereotypes about tech-savviness.

Connect Across Generations

It's likely your panel will include people from different generations. Treat everyone as a professional peer, regardless of their age. Focus on shared professional goals—at the end of the day, everyone wants to solve problems and help the business succeed.

The Follow-Up: Sealing the Deal

Your work isn't quite done when you leave the room. A strategic follow-up can make a huge difference.

Within 24 hours, send a separate, personalized thank-you email to each person on the panel. A group email can come across as low-effort, so take the extra five minutes to write individual notes.

In each email:

• Thank them for their time

• Reference something specific you discussed with that person. This proves you were listening

• Briefly reiterate your enthusiasm for the role

A panel interview might feel like a new game, but the rules are simple: be prepared, be confident, and be yourself. By seeing it as a conversation, you can turn a potentially stressful situation into the final, successful step in your job search.