When you’re in an interview with multiple candidates, the interviewer(s) may ask a variety of important questions. Typically, they may ask each candidate group questions, as well as individual questions. The group interview might even end with everyone having brief individual interviews.
Here are 13 of the most commonly asked questions, as well as the best ways you can answer them:
These are questions that could be asked in a one-on-one interview but are still important to answer correctly if you want to stand out from the crowd.
“When working at my previous position, communication and the delegation of tasks was a crucial part of our work. Often, we would meet at the beginning of shifts and discuss how to tackle our tasks as a team. For example, we often worked in groups of three to clean various parts of the same coffee machine. I enjoyed this system because splitting the work into different roles and communicating as a team improved our performance and efficiency.”Example Answer:
“I’ve always believed in having responsibility for my work in my community. Therefore, being in a cooperative workplace comes with the notion that we should support and listen to our co-workers. My last manager encouraged us to take care of each other, which included the possibility of voluntary or mandated overtime. I often helped in this regard as I had the flexibility, and I also appreciated knowing my co-workers would have done the same for me.”Example Answer:
“I think my friends and coworkers would describe an empathetic problem solver. While working at my previous company I reduced turnover rates by 15% by actively listening to frustrated employees, and properly vetting new employees. This allowed all of my co-workers to thrive in a positive work environment, and reduced feelings of anxiety in the workplace.”Example Answer:
“I’ve always had a passion for organization. When I was in college, all of my friends went to me when they had a sick day because they knew I took neat, precise notes. With that in mind, I always like to keep a clean workspace and create logical filing methods, so I’m always able to find what I need. As with my fellow students in class, I’ve found that my organizational skills increase efficiency and help everyone stay on track, too.”Example Answer:
“I’ve worked in customer service positions with fast-paced, team-oriented environments for over nine years. Over time I’ve learned the most productive ways to communicate with fellow teammates, properly delegate tasks, and work together in the most efficient ways possible. For instance, in my previous position my team of four completed our assigned project a whole week before our official deadline, because of our skilled communication and task delegation.”Example Answer:
“There are times when I’ve been too self-critical of my work. This perfectionism has delayed my projects in the past because I continue to critique something that doesn’t need to be critiqued. However, within the past two years, I’ve worked tirelessly to communicate this with my fellow staff members, and the advice I’ve received has helped me learn how to manage my self-criticism and regulate myself under pressure. This isn’t always easy, but I find that my improved self-awareness has improved my efficiency in the workplace.”Example Answer:
“I actually find that I perform better under pressure and enjoy working in challenging environments. As a writer and editor, I thrive when I receive multiple projects with tight deadlines. Generally, I’ve found that when I have to work to a deadline, I can produce some of my most professional work. For example, my latest article, which increased website traffic for my company by 11%, was assigned to me only three days before the due date. I utilized the pressure of the deadline to increase my focus.”Example Answer:
“When candling conflict within I make sure to always actively listen to the concerns and viewpoints of all parties involved. If I need it, I will address conflicts in a one-on-one setting initially. This helps team members feel comfortable bringing up topics. I also try to maintain a positive and respectful team environment. This can help the team focus on solutions instead of placing blame on others. It also ensures that the team remains cohesive and motivated.”
Often, group interviews may require everyone to participate in a work simulation or problem-solving exercise, where candidates will have to work together as a team. This allows the employer to see how you handle group projects, if you are a natural leader, and how well you communicate with others. Sometimes, the group work will conclude with a team discussion or presentation.
Example Answer:“I’ve always excelled at being able to take the lead and coordinate everyone’s efforts. During this exercise, I found it easier to assume this role, as I helped everyone organize materials and schedule dates for the project in question. With these management skills, I believe I can take the lead in important projects and keep everyone on task as much as possible.”Example Answer:
“I believe we were successful because we utilized our diverse backgrounds to communicate innovative ideas. Because our communication was positive and productive, and everyone listened to each other, we were able to manage conflicts with ease and keep our work organized. In addition, this openness in communication is what opened the door for any new ideas brought to the table.”Example Answer:
“There were a few times when we struggled to come to an agreement on how we should move forward. Given that, I believe that implementing a democratic voting system would be beneficial. With that, not only would everyone’s opinions have been clear, but also, easily knowing the decision of the majority would speed up the overall process.”Example Answer:
“I would hire Josh, not only because he gave everyone valuable insight on how to format our project, but also because he was the first to volunteer for a role that no one else wanted to take. Regardless of the importance of the role, being willing to step up to the plate is a valuable trait, and I commend him for being a team player.”Example Answer:
“I believe that the best way to deal with this stress is to communicate well and allow each team member to provide support for each other. If we’re writing a sample letter that requires neat handwriting, we can split up the work appropriately. For example, the team member with the best handwriting can write out the letter, whereas the person with the best professional writing skills can help determine what to write. In this way, stress is reduced because everyone uses their skills to support each other.”
Here are some more common group interview questions to look out for:
Whether you’re interviewing with multiple candidates or sitting in front of a panel of interviewers, employers use group interviews to get a sense of how well you communicate, work in a team, and operate under pressure.
Here are the two different types of group interviews you may come across:
To help you ace your interview, you should do your research and get an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses. Below are more ways to help ace your group interview and will help ease the pressure and anxiety that come with the group interviewing process.
Group interviews are important because group interview questions are very efficient, as they can hear answers from multiple candidates side-by-side. This saves the company several hours of interview work and allows them to pinpoint certain candidates out of the crowd.
The nature of the interview allows employers to see which candidates work well with others. Group interview questions can serve as a valuable introduction to multiple co-workers or potential co-workers. In addition, being around multiple candidates or members of the company will also show an employer which candidates will fit well with the company’s culture.
Group interview questions outline how well potential employees respond under stress. Doing well in environments involving multiple people is essential for fast-paced and customer-focused environments.
When answering group interview questions, take some time to prepare, practice active listening, and show your leadership skills. Here are some more tips to keep in mind when answering:
My name is Amy, and I’ve worked in marketing and communications for eight years.
My name is James. I recently graduated with my degree in business management, and I’m excited to begin my career by hopefully learning from and contributing to this company.
If you’re asked a question like, “Tell me about yourself,” you can and should go into more detail. Give a brief overview of your professional and educational history (if it’s recent), mention one of your greatest accomplishments or strongest qualifications, and talk about your future goals and what drove you to apply for this position. For example, you might say something like this:
My name is Isabelle, and I’ve been an accountant for eight years and a CPA for five years. I’ve worked in both private and corporate accounting during that time, but my most recent position was working as a private accountant. I was recently able to help a small business owner fix his bookkeeping and get set up on a better system, saving him from thousands of dollars in fines he was going to have to pay come tax season. That reignited my interest in corporate accounting, so I started keeping an eye out for job openings. I’ve always respected your company, so I jumped on the chance to apply for this position when I saw it open up.
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