How to prepare for a group interview
Group interviews can be a daunting part of the hiring process, but they’re a good opportunity for you to show your interpersonal and teamwork skills. For hiring managers, they’re useful for seeing your collaboration style and gauging your confidence around new people.
Understanding how group interviews work and exactly what hiring managers are looking for will help you better prepare. In this article, we share group interview tips so you'll know what to expect and how you can best demonstrate your skill set.
What is a group interview?
A group interview is a type of job interview where multiple applicants are interviewed at the same time. They can take place in various forms, including:
Discussion-based group interviews
Case studies
Group activities
Role-playing
Presentations
Group interviews are commonly used in the retail and hospitality industries to recruit multiple applicants at one time. However, they’re becoming popular in other fields too. Not only can they help to save time for interviewers, but they allow employers to easily evaluate an applicant’s interpersonal skills, teamwork abilities and how they perform in a group setting.
What happens in a group interview?
Group interviews can take a variety of different formats, but they typically follow the same structure. Here’s a quick overview of what to expect at a group interview.
Introductions
Interviewers will often start the group interview by introducing themselves and the company. They will then recap the position/s available and provide an overview of what to expect during the interview.
Icebreakers
Once the introductions are over, the attendees will often participate in an icebreaker activity. This helps the group relax while providing the interviewers with an opportunity to get to know everyone.
Group activities
Group activities form the main part of the interview. These activities allow the interviewers to assess different skills and behaviours. The types of group activities depend on the format of the interview and the industry. They may include questions posed to the group or activities that require teamwork.
Individual questions
At the end of the group interview, there will likely be an opportunity to ask any questions about the role or the company itself. The interviewers will generally provide an overview of the next steps in the hiring process and when you can expect to hear from them.
How to prepare for a group interview
How do you best prepare for a group interview? You can never be 100% certain of what a group interview will entail, but there are general situations and questions you can prepare for. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your next group interview.
Understanding the company and position
Regardless of whether you’re preparing for a one-on-one interview or a group discussion, it’s important to have a good understanding of the company and the role you’re applying for. Spend time researching the company website and social media and getting a grasp on wider industry trends.
Demonstrate initiative and critical thinking
An essential part of attending a group interview is actively participating in the questions and activities. Contribute your thoughts and answers in a confident yet respectful way, bring careful not to talk over the top of others. Take a proactive approach to collaborating and communicating during discussions.
Asking insightful questions can help show your analytical-thinking skills. You should also practise active listening skills throughout the group interview process, so you’re able to follow the discussion and build on the conversation.
Prepare for common group interview questions
One of the best ways to prepare for a group interview is to familiarise yourself with common group interview questions. With these in mind, you can develop your own answers using the STAR method (situation, task, action, result).
Here are five common group interview questions that you can use to help you prepare.
1. Describe a time when you had to work closely with a team to achieve a goal.
In my previous role as a marketing coordinator, our team had to launch a new product line in three months. I handled the marketing campaign, which meant creating promos, organising events and managing social media. I set up weekly meetings to keep everyone on track and made a shared timeline to monitor progress while delegating tasks based on everyone’s strengths. We launched on time and our efforts boosted sales by 20% in the first quarter. The team was praised for our collaboration.
2. Tell me about a time when you fell short of expectations, what happened?
At my last job, I underestimated the time needed to finalise a project. I informed my team and supervisor right away and we were able to delegate duties to make deadline. This taught me the importance of better time management and proactive communication.”
3. What weaknesses would you like to improve on?
While I am a good communicator, public speaking makes me nervous. I recently did a workshop to help improve my presentation skills. I’ve noticed that I’ve started to feel more comfortable speaking in front of a group. However, there is room for me to improve.
4. What do you think the greatest challenge of this role is?
I believe the greatest challenge of this job will be prioritising work and juggling deadlines. Fortunately, I’ve had experience in similar environments and developed habits to help me manage my time to stay on top of my responsibilities.
5. Why are you interested in working at this organisation?
I share the company's values, particularly [value 1] and [value 2], I feel my skills are a great match for the team, and feel I’d be a good cultural fit.
Work on your communication skills
Clear, concise and confident communication is essential to doing well in a group interview. By making meaningful contributions to the group discussion, you can demonstrate your knowledge and interpersonal skills, which is especially important if you’re going for a customer service role.
Another essential element of communication is active listening. This means paying close attention when someone is speaking, maintaining appropriate eye contact and displaying positive body language. Allowing others their turn to speak, building off others’ responses, and maintaining a friendly tone of voice are also important.
Work on finding your voice in a group setting
Another thing to consider when thinking about how to do well in a group interview, is finding your voice. There’s a fine line between making confident contributions and being overbearing, so it’s important to strike a balance.
There may be instances in group settings when you don’t agree with others. This can be a great opportunity to communicate a different perspective, while showing respect to your fellow interviewees. Maintain a friendly and thoughtful tone when offering your opinion, to avoid seeming combative or arrogant.
Don’t forget to show your support for the other participants. Gestures of kindness and empathy will be noticed by the interviewer.
Case study challenges and group discussions
Some group interview activities involve case studies that require you to work together to come up with a solution. Practise active listening and take on board what others are saying, even if you don’t agree with them. Present your own ideas rationally and keep an open mind when it comes to collaborating. It is better to politely disagree and come to a compromise than to argue your case and insist that you are correct.
Make a lasting impression
As a job seeker, it's crucial to make a lasting impression in both group and individual interviews. Here’s how to stand out in a group interview:
Use positive body language: maintain good posture, make eye contact, and use gestures to show you’re engaged.
Participate in discussions: actively listen and contribute meaningfully to group activities. Be concise and respectful.
Show analytical thinking: ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your understanding and interest.
Balance confidence and humility: be sure of yourself but not arrogant.
Send a follow-up email: thank the employer after the interview to reinforce your interest and leave a lasting impression.
Group interviews can be a great opportunity to show how well you collaborate and interact with others. They give you a chance to get a feel for the role and the hiring company without the pressure of a one-on-one interview. While it’s natural to be a little nervous, preparation can help you approach your next group interview with confidence.
FAQs
What is a group interview?
A group job interview is a type of job interview where multiple applicants are interviewed at the same time by one or more interviewers. They will involve group questions and discussion and could include role-playing and case studies.
What will happen in a group interview?
What to expect in a group interview depends on the format of the interview. For example, interviews involving case studies and presentations will run differently to those focused on group discussions. Most group interviews will begin with an introduction and icebreaker activities, followed by the main group activities and finishing with questions.
What are the 3 tips for a group interview?
Here are 3 tips to help you succeed during a group interview:
Strike a balance of speaking and listening
Research the company and position
Practise your responses to common interview questions
Is it normal to have a group interview?
Group interviews are common practice in the food service, retail and hospitality industries, particularly when a company is trying to hire more than one person at a time. Group interviews are normal for any company that wants to assess a large number of applicants on how they collaborate/interact with others.
How can I impress in a group interview?
One way you can impress during a group interview is being a good team player. This means contributing thoughtfully, but not dominating the interview, communicating clearly with your group members, and showing respect for opinions that are different from your own.
How long do group interviews usually last?
Group interviews can last anywhere from one to four hours. Because most group interviews involve activities and are intended to evaluate multiple people, they typically last longer than one-on-one interviews.
What if I disagree with another candidate during a group discussion? How can I voice my opinion respectfully?
There’s nothing wrong with disagreeing with another applicant or having a different viewpoint. In fact, it’s a great way to show how you resolve conflict in the workplace. Always maintain a polite and friendly tone, don’t raise your voice, keep open body language, don’t interrupt and keep an open mind to what others are saying.
What should I wear to a group interview to make a professional impression?
Your interview attire plays an important part in making a good first impression. As a general rule, you should opt for smart business attire, but always choose an outfit to suits the culture of the company you’re applying at. Whatever you wear, make sure it’s comfortable and makes you feel confident and professional.
How long should my follow-up email after a group interview be?
When writing a follow-up email after a group interview, you should aim for around 200 to 300 words. It should be clear and concise while expressing your appreciation, reiterating your interest and highlighting any key points you want to emphasise.
