There’s nothing quite so nerve-wracking as an interview – except perhaps a group interview.

A group interview is essentially what it says on the tin: instead of you taking part in a job interview by yourself, there will also be other candidates in the room with you at the same time.

Group interviews are held for many different reasons, from cost-effectiveness to seeing how candidates interact with each other and more.

Whatever the reason though, group interviews can be pretty stressful. After all, you’ll not only be face-to-face with your direct competition, but you’ll also have to find ways to stand out from the crowd.

That’s where we come in! At i2i Recruitment, we’ve helped lots of candidates successfully navigate the group interview minefield over the years – and we’ve put together our top tips for you below…

7 group interview tips to help you get the job:

1. Prep as you would for any other interview

The only difference between a standard interview and a group interview is that there will be other candidates in it besides you – which means that you should prep for the interview as you would do for any other!

From general interview tips to how to prepare, as well as typical questions and out-of-the-box questions, we’re always here to help. However, some of the main things to keep in mind include:

• Do your research on the company and role
• Prepare answers to possible interview questions.
• Do a mock interview with family or friends
• Come up with your own questions to ask at the end of the interview
• Dress the part and make sure you look smart
• Arrive at least 10 minutes before the interview starts

2. Do some calming exercises before you go in

Again, this is great practice for any interview, but especially when you’re face-to-face with the competition. Some great ways to calm your nerves before an interview the night before or while you’re waiting to go in include:

• Deep breathing
• Listening to calming music
• Guided meditation

3. Greet everyone with a smile

This is perhaps one of the most important tip – after all, a smile and a positive attitude goes a long way, especially in a group interview situation!

Be sure to greet all your fellow candidates with a smile, and try to memorise their names prior to the interview as well. Why? Not only will it show the interviewers that you have good attention to detail, but that you will be friendly and approachable in the workplace, too!

4. Be collaborative, not competitive

Despite being in an interview with your direct competition, it’s super important that that you collaborate with them and treat them as you would your colleagues – after all, interviewers will be looking to see how you interact with other people.

For example, if the group is asked questions, make sure your responses don’t put down another candidate’s ideas. The more you can demonstrate how well you work together with other people, the greater your chances for success will be!

5. Listen before you speak…

Part of taking the collaborative approach is knowing when to listen – in fact, having the ability to listen to others is an invaluable skill in the workplace.

Some top tips include:

• Look directly at the person who is speaking
• Give visual cues that you are taking in what they’re saying
• Keep your body language open
• Ask questions to show you’ve been listening

6. … but don’t miss any chances to have your say!

There will always be some candidates in a group situation that are more vocal than others, which can make it tricky to find a moment to speak. If this happens, make sure you follow these tips:

Take the opportunity to speak when there’s a natural pause in the conversation

If someone tries to speak at the same time as you, offer them the chance to speak first, but say that you’ll share your own thoughts when they’ve finished

7. Have fun!

Easier said than done, but where possible, try to relax and to enjoy the interview process. If interviewers see that you’re having fun and are getting along with other candidates, it’s more likely that they’ll think you’ll enjoy yourself in the actual job, too!

With these top group interview tips, you’ll be well on your way to success!

When you register with i2i Recruitment, we’ll be able to offer you even more interview advice, and point you in the direction of some truly amazing career opportunities too.

Sound good? Register with us today to get started!