Parents: Any advice regarding group interviews?

Parents Forum
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<p>I was recently named a finalist for a scholarship program at a top university. As a finalist, I’m being invited to the campus in a few short days. I was alerted by my host that the final interview (the “biggie”) would be a group interview consisting of 3-4 finalists and the selections committee. This is very foreign for me. I have done one-on-one interviews in the past, but group interviews? I don’t want to overanalyze anything, but I’m guessing that one of the reasons for group interviews is to see how well an individual performs in a multiple person setting. </p>

<p>What are the “dos” and “don’ts” in this particular environment? I assume that one positive of having a group interview is that while another finalist is talking, I have more time to think of a response. My main concern is that I don’t want to be timid, but at the same time, I don’t want to “overpower” anyone and appear selfish. How should I conduct myself? What can I do to best prepare myself for this? Should I solely talk to the selections committee and ignore the presence of the other finalists? Or should I engage myself fully with BOTH the committee AND the finalists?</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

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<p>anything at all?</p>

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<p>Is the parental silence deafening?</p>

<p>Well, I don’t know about others but I’ve never even HEARD of a group interview and can’t imagine anything more challenging!! </p>

<p>Is it possible to ask someone from the scholarship committee, by email or phone, “What will be the format of the interview?”</p>

<p>If you knew in advance that they’re going to simply ask the same (or different) question down the line to each of you, like the presidential debates where the reporters ask first one candidate, then the other…well, then you’d know how to begin to think about it.</p>

<p>Without a structured format, I, like you, immediately thought about the need to both shine and look supportive of others in a group.</p>

<p>If you can’t get any advance description of the format or protocols, then here’s my best attempt at advice: do not jump in to be the first to answer, but listen to the first respondant. Try to speak second or last. Second is good because you can mention, graciously, the best point of your competitor but then add something insightful. Last is good if you know how to “wrap up and summarize” all the best consensus from the others, like tying a bow around a present… but again, add your own wisdom or apply their consensus to another example (in other words, show some critical thought/application/higher order thinking/creativity at that moment.</p>

<p>Always refer to others graciously, looking to your left and right, but then launch into your own best idea looking straight at the committee.
Pan your eyes around the committee as you speak.</p>

<p>Be “in the moment” and really listen hard to what the others say so you can do all this. Don’t sit there thinking of what you’ll say “next” or it’ll seem like you’re interrupting or blurting things out. Trust in yourself that you can do this, with active listening skills and quick thinking. When another student speaks, if you’re really looking at them, listening, turning your body more openly towards them, it’ll be noticed by the committee (nonverbally) that you know how to work with others. Actually shift around in your seat, uncross your legs and arms, be open in the direction of the person talking.</p>

<p>Then, when you face the committee to talk, rotate your body to front-and center, plant your feet on the ground, lean forward and use your hands while speaking to them directly, making strong eye contact with them.</p>

<p>Now I feel like the Consiglieri from The Godfather I…“and Mikey, when you come out of the bathroom, drop the gun and just keep on walking…”</p>

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<p>Haha What a weird concept. I kind of like the idea. I’m not a parent, but I interview and come across well, or so I’ve been told.</p>

<p>3Tuitions has good advice, I think. Mainly I’d highligh that you have to be respectful and engaged throughout. That includes, as said, listening and responding to the other applicants. If you think it’s appropriate given the format (i.e. maybe have this reading in your purse, depending), you might want to have a little notepad and pen if it turns out to be a discussion format. In that case, you can jot down a couple of words to remind yourself of a point someone said that you want to respond to. Remember their names and refer to them by name, if you can. It’s a small detail, but I think it can show a lot. Be confident and friendly, and as always, be yourself! Try to be relaxed, too. Good luck!</p>

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<p>To prepare, if your family is cooperative, ask them to stage a practice around the dinnertable with some friends or siblings.</p>

<p>If not, go into your room with a full-length mirror and imagine questiions coming at you from around the room, and speak some answers out loud into your empty room. It’s amazing how much that can help.</p>

<p>Get a few key phrases in your mind in advance that express your experience, what you’d do for the campus or group the scholarship relates to. </p>

<p>Go to a bookstore and look at some interview books for some typical questions. For example, if they ask you to list your “strengths and weaknesses” these books will tell you to list 2 or 3 strengths quickly, then 1 weakness–but that the weakness should always be something that suggests you have a great work ethic. The classic, “I sometimes overwork but am now working on ways to streamline.”</p>

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<p>Wait a minute! I just re-read your post. Is it possible by “group interview” they meant that the “group” is the selection committee, and the finalists will be sitting outside a room, called in one-by-one?
Check it out.</p>

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<p>Thank you to all that replied :]</p>

<p>paying3tuitions, no by “group interview” I mean that several finalists will be interviewed simultaneously by the selections committee. Each finalist will take turns answering questions from the committee.</p>

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<p>I would think that it would be important to be assertive and to highlight one’s strengths and ideas while also being gracious to the other applicants. One wouldn’t want to fade into the background or seem like a person who’d claw over their competitors to get selected. Presumably the committee wants students who’ll be able to relate to peers and be liked by peers as well as by professors.</p>

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<p>Don’t dominate the discussion but do not lay back either.</p>

<p>Listen to others and piggyback on their comments.</p>

<p>Be firm but not overtly opinionated and support you positions with concrete examples.</p>

<p>Ask questions. A Socratic style discussion is invigorating.</p>

<p>Watch that body language and look people in the eye when they are talking or you are commenting.</p>

<p>If there is a student who seems to be unable to speak up ask them, “Julie, what do you think?” You may be putting them on the spot but in most cases you will be giving them an opportunity to express their thoughts.</p>

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<p>This advice about handling job group interviews also can apply to other kinds of interviews:</p>

<p>"The simplest form of group interview is little more than a presentation about the company conducting it, perhaps with open discussions and question and answer sessions. It’s also the company’s chance to initially screen candidates, by observing how individuals behave and stand out among their peers. Interviewers will likely also observe</p>

<p>Attire, manners and body language
Communication skills
Group interaction and participation…
Other matters aside, group interviewers may favor candidates who have meaningful questions, because it shows that the candidates are truly interested and maybe worth one-on-one interviews later. It’s also one of the good ways to stand out among the group, as some candidates will arrive unprepared. …</p>

<p>Some companies take a group interview to another level, by conducting exercises that simulate a work environment…The skills measured during these exercises include</p>

<p>Interpersonal
Persuasion
Communication
Teamwork
Leadership
Organizational
Stress management …"
<a href=“http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/interview/l/aa121602.htm[/url]”>http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/interview/l/aa121602.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Good advice above. I had a group interview for law school years ago. I remember all of us were a bit nervous going into it since we didn’t know what to expect, but it really was fine once it got going. My advice (echoing northstarmom right above) would be to come armed with lots of questions - others may ask some of “your” questions first, so you want to have a few backups.</p>

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<p>Fantastic advice. I really appreciate it.</p>

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<p>The fact that you’ve researched it and sought others’ advice indicates
a great attitude and work ethic. Knock their socks off… I mean, good luck.</p>

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<p>Thank you :]</p>