How to Conduct a Panel Interview

A panel interview can be an effective way of meeting with job candidates.

Using a panel interview for potential job candidates has several benefits. First of all, you have a chance to listen more to a candidate's response because you aren't the only one constantly asking questions. You have time to jot down notes. The interview saves time, gives more employees a chance to meet the candidate, and weak and strong interviewers split the responsibilities, ensuring that all the appropriate questions get asked.

Instructions

1. Develop the panel, decide who is going to be on it and the roles each member will play when asking questions. You should have leader, and two or three secondary interviewers. Hiring consultant company, The Adler Group advises that a panel should consist of no more than four people, otherwise the interview can be too difficult to deal with and will be intimidating for candidates. Think about organizing a panel that consists of the person who will be doing the hiring and people who will be working directly with the candidate.

2. Involve panel members in screening the applications. Forming the interview panel early in the process can help you come to conclusions very early on concerning what type of candidates your looking for. It can also help the panel have a good sense of who you're meeting with.

3. Plan well in advance so that you can develop interview questions and determine panel roles early on. This helps interviews run smoothly.

4. Develop interview questions by considering the applicant resumes, the specifics of the job, the company culture and what you and the panel agree spells success for the job. Everyone should craft specific questions they want to ask the candidates.

5. Create an objective checklist that each panel member can use in evaluating the candidate and the criteria for the job.

Tips & Warnings

• Diversify your interview panel with varying backgrounds

• Select your interview panel members early in the process

• Don't include anyone with a potential conflict of interest on the panel

References

• The Adler Group: Using the Panel Interview to Save Time and Increase Accuracy