Introduction

A panel interview is a type of interview where multiple interviewers simultaneously question a job candidate. This type of interview is often used by companies to get a more comprehensive view of a candidate's skills, experiences, and personality. Panel interviews can be more time-efficient than traditional one-on-one interviews, and they can provide a more diverse range of perspectives on a candidate's qualifications.

Plan ahead

The first step in conducting a panel interview is to plan ahead. Decide on the panel members and their roles, establish the interview format, and determine the questions you want to ask. Make sure to coordinate with each panel member to ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what is expected of them.

Establish clear goals

Before conducting the interview, make sure to establish clear goals for what you hope to achieve. Are you looking to evaluate the candidate's technical skills, assess their fit with the company culture, or gauge their overall experience and qualifications? Having a clear understanding of what you want to achieve will help guide the interview process and ensure that you are getting the information you need to make a hiring decision.

Prepare the candidate

Make sure to properly prepare the candidate for the panel interview. Explain the format of the interview and what they can expect from the panel members. This will help the candidate feel more at ease and prepared for the interview.

Choose the right panel members

Selecting the right panel members is crucial to the success of the panel interview. Choose individuals who have the relevant expertise and skills to assess the candidate and who will bring a diverse perspective to the interview process.

Set the tone

The tone of the panel interview can have a significant impact on the candidate's experience and the overall outcome of the interview. Make sure to set a professional, welcoming, and respectful tone from the beginning to help the candidate feel comfortable and confident.

Ask questions collaboratively

During the interview, the panel members should work together to ask questions and evaluate the candidate's responses. Encourage each panel member to contribute their unique perspective and ask follow-up questions as needed.

Allow for silence

It can be tempting to jump in and fill any silence that occurs during the interview, but it's important to allow for silence. The candidate may need time to reflect on their answer or formulate a response, so give them the space to do so.

Take notes

Each panel member should take notes during the interview to ensure that they can accurately evaluate the candidate and recall their responses later. These notes will also be useful in case you need to reference them during the hiring decision process.

Evaluate objectively

It's important to approach the panel interview with an objective mindset. Consider each candidate's responses in the context of the job requirements and your goals for the interview. Avoid making assumptions or biases based on the candidate's appearance, background, or personal experiences.

Provide feedback

At the end of the interview, provide feedback to the candidate on their performance. Let them know what they did well and what areas they could improve upon if given the opportunity. Providing constructive feedback can help the candidate grow and improve in their future endeavors, even if they don't end up getting the job.

Debrief with panel members

After the interview, debrief with the panel members to discuss their individual evaluations of the candidate. Compare notes and share your observations and insights to arrive at a more informed hiring decision.

Follow up with the candidate

Lastly, make sure to follow up with the candidate after the interview. Let them know the outcome of the interview and what the next steps are in the hiring process. Keeping the candidate informed and updated throughout the process will show that you value their time and efforts.

Conclusion

Conducting a panel interview can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these tips and best practices, you can ensure that the interview is a productive and meaningful one for both the panel and the candidate. With the right approach, a panel interview can provide a more nuanced view of a candidate and help you make a well-informed hiring decision.

How Hume Can Help

As a hiring team, you want to make sure that you are making informed hiring decisions in the most efficient and effective manner possible. That's where Hume comes in. Hume is an interview intelligence platform that records, transcribes, and summarizes interviews to help hiring teams unlock the full potential of their interview data. With Hume, you can:

• Record and transcribe panel interviews: Hume records and transcribes your panel interviews, allowing you to revisit the conversation and refer to it later. This eliminates the need to take notes during the interview and ensures that you have an accurate record of what was said.

• Summarize key insights: Hume summarizes the key insights from each panel interview, making it easy for you to compare and evaluate candidates. You can quickly see how each candidate performed in areas such as experience, qualifications, and fit with your company culture.

• Train interviewers: Hume provides data-driven insights into your interviewers' performance, helping you identify areas for improvement and train them to become more effective interviewers.

• By leveraging the power of Hume, you can streamline your panel interview process and make more informed hiring decisions.

In conclusion, conducting a panel interview can be a complex task, but by following the tips outlined in this blog and utilizing the capabilities of Hume, you can ensure a smooth and effective interview process.