panel interviews

[coffeejelly101]

What are the "mechanics" for this type of interview? Any tips for those who have encountered it? :)

By the way, when you send a thank-you letter after a panel interview, do you give each one of the panelists, only the one who called/invited you or a generic letter addressed to all panelists? :D

[bongkers]

Treat the panel interview as you would treat a normal one-on-one interview.

Don't be fazed by the number of people across the room. In any case, you will be answering one question at a time so it basically is the same as a one-on-one interview.

Basically, the panel interview speeds up the process since you don't have to talk to all three individually (answering the same questions over and over again). Also. it allows the interviewers to compare notes on your behavior and answers.

As long as you keep a cool head, you should be ok.

As for thank you letters, hmm... i've been to interviews and been interviewing applicants as well... can't say i've ever received a thank you letter from any applicant (neither did i send one myself)... it's not necessary to do so... but if you wish to do so, then probably a generic letter addressed to all panelists should suffice.

[karona]

i think it would be a big help if you think about/anticipate the questions that you think you will be facing in that panel interview. . .

it'll help you keep a cool self and at the same time prepare yourself for that interview

[sola_gurl]

I've never heard of people giving the panelist thank you letters after they have interviewed you.

A panel interview is just like any preliminary interview only there's more people who ask questions and grade you. They also come from the department that you're applying for so they might ask you more specific questions as compared to a prelim, which is usually done by an HR person.