Panel job interviews and presentations: Your chance to shine
By Ken Pelczarski, Contributing Editor | TLT Career Coach September 2023
Follow these five suggestions to make the most of your time in front of key hiring decision makers.
It is a pivotal time in the job search process when you are invited to interview before a panel and give a presentation. At this point, you are likely the only candidate or one of just a couple of finalists being considered for the job. It is an opportunity for you to shine and put yourself in a position to receive a job offer.
A panel interview can either be in person or virtual and usually consists of two to five key members of a management team. Each interview participant typically has significant input into the hiring decision. An employer will usually request a presentation of between 15 and 30 minutes in length. The quality of your presentation will go a long way in determining if you are the chosen candidate.
For the purposes of this article, it is assumed that the panel interview and presentation will both take place on the same visit. It also is assumed that you would have already had one or more previous telephone or in-person interviews and would have researched the company and reviewed the job description. Let’s discuss how to make the most of the panel interview and presentation.
1. THE PREPARATION
Panel interview preparation
• Learn the number of planned participants.
• Obtain the name and title of each participant.
• Research backgrounds of interviewers via LinkedIn, Google and industry websites.
• Obtain the interview agenda and planned length.
• Speak to your primary company contact about the expected line of questioning.
• Find out the dress code.
• Review the highlights of previous discussions with this employer.
• Study the job description once again.
• Prepare important questions to ask.
• Be ready to summarize the most pertinent aspects of your skill set.
• Be prepared to present the main benefit and value you bring to the employer.
• Prepare enough copies of your resume and other documents for all participants.
Presentation preparation
• Learn how many individuals will be attending.
• Obtain the name and title of each attendee (for large groups, learn the general types of attendees).
• Find out what subject matter is preferred and acceptable.
• Obtain presentation length guidelines.
• Learn what type of presentation is preferred (e.g., PowerPoint).
• Plan a presentation that pertains to the employer’s line of business.
• Ideally give a presentation that you have done in the past.
• Rehearse and time your presentation.
• Ask if the employer would like a copy of your presentation in advance.
The previous preparation tips apply to both virtual and in-person panel interviews and presentations. For virtual settings, special preparation tips include the following:
• Pick a location with no distractions.
• Have a simple, professional background.
• Optimize lighting and sound.
• Arrange your camera at eye level.
• Have no visible food or drink (have water available as needed).
• Make sure you understand the technology to be used.
• Be well groomed and dress professionally.
2. THE PANEL INTERVIEW
• Address each person by name.
• Make eye contact with everyone.
• Attempt to include everybody in the discussion.
• Obtain perspectives from each participant about the company and position.
• Try to ask at least one question of each interviewer.
• Talk to each person about the interaction you will have with them in the role.
• Pay attention to body language to make sure each person understands points you are making.
I have spoken with many job candidates over the years who are intimidated by the prospect of a panel interview. If you are a person who has trepidation regarding this type of interview setting, it may help you relax during the panel interview by focusing on one individual at a time.
3. THE PRESENTATION
• Make eye contact with everyone.
• Focus on individual attendees more than on notes or the video screen.
• Be aware of your own body language to be sure you are showing command and confidence.
• Check with the meeting facilitator about your remaining time.
• Allow the time necessary to answer all questions.
• Encourage individuals to ask questions.
The previous panel interview and presentation tips apply to both virtual and in-person settings. For virtual settings, special tips include the following:
• Maintain focus on the computer screen.
• Look into the camera as much as possible.
• Do not multitask or stare down at paperwork.
• Listen closely and keep good eye contact.
• Maintain good posture.
• Display enthusiasm and passion.
• Avoid interviewing while on the road.
4. THE CLOSING
• Gather as much feedback as possible from all participants.
• Learn if the presentation was what they were expecting.
• Make a brief positive comment about each participant if time allows.
• Emphasize your continued interest in the opportunity and reasons why.
• Reiterate the skill set you bring to the table.
• Express confidence in achieving company objectives in the role.
• Display that you are eager to make a big contribution.
• Mention that you view this as a good cultural fit.
• State that you are excited about moving to the next step.
• Emphasize that this opportunity fits your long-term goals.
• Ask if anybody sees a reason to not pursue you further.
• Learn how you compare to other candidates.
• Find out who you will hear from next and how soon.
• Obtain business cards and/or email addresses from each participant.
You may not have time to cover all the previous points in the final few minutes of your panel interview or post-presentation. Review the previous list and choose what you believe are the most important points to bring up.
5. THE FOLLOW-UP
• Email a thank you note to each participant within 24-48 hours.
• Emphasize the same high points to each person.
• Add a special comment or two that is tailored to each interviewer.
• Stress both your capabilities and your interest in the opportunity.
• Ask important questions that did not get answered during the interview.
• Answer any concerns the employer has expressed.
• Request advancement to the next interview step.
• Keep the employer informed of important developments in your job search.
• Forward information that you promised to send.
• Forward additional information that is relevant to your job search and qualifications.
• Provide references that you have not yet given the employer.
• Ask if any attendees at your presentation have follow-up questions about its content.
• Inquire about who may want a copy of your presentation.
• Follow up a second time (or more) with key decision maker(s) in the time frame in which they stated they would be getting back to you.
Keep follow-up emails as brief as possible, but be sure to cover all high points that need to be communicated.
As part of the hiring process, a panel interview and/or presentation is often the culmination of in-depth serious discussions between an employer and a job candidate. Build upon your previous interview discussions with the employer, and do everything in your power to put your best foot forward in this final stage of the interview process. You will likely be rewarded with a job offer.
Ken Pelczarski is owner and founder of Pelichem Associates, a Chicago-area search firm established in 1985 and specializing in the lubricants industry. You can reach Ken at (630) 960-1940 or at pelichem@aol.com.