How To Crush Your Final Panel Interview
Last week, I had a final panel interview and I got a job offer. Here’s how.
As a freshly graduated student, I’ve gone through many different recruitment processes, interviews and online tests.
I often got the impression that it was hopeless and very long.
In this case, I was applying for a global management traineeship and after six rounds over nearly three months, I finally made it to the final panel interview.
What does it consist in?
You get interviewed — as well as four other applicants — by five top company’s executives over two hours. They are firing questions at you, asking you to react to other applicant’s answer, digging into your resume, assessing if you’re 100% culture fit and then asking you the ultimate question which is : who would you fire among the four other applicants sitting next to you?
It was pretty intense but I passed and they offered me a job!
But, I’m not going to give you some common sense advice like doing gigantic research about the company, its positioning, its latest news and achievements or the market they’re operating in.
I’m not going to tell you to know your resume by heart, to be able to explain each one of your experience from A to Z while highlighting your skills or to come to the interview polished and dressed up properly.
I’m also not going to advise you to identify any potential flaws that could prevent you from getting the job and to find a smart way to minimize them as much as possible.
Finally, I am not going to recommend having a good night’s sleep, drinking plenty of water and following a healthy diet.
I have only ONE TIP for you guys but it’s probably the most important one:
PAY EXTREME ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY LANGUAGE.
Everyday our body betrays us. Whether we feel happy, sad, scared, uncomfortable, puzzled, anxious,… our body sends signals to the world.
Luckily, we can control those signals.
Body language is how we judge people and how they judge us in return. More than 50% of our judgments are visual and only 7% are based on what we actually say.
So, the impact of our body language in the decision-making process of a final panel interview is HUGE.
So, how can you maximize the impact of your body language?
First of all, you want to show them how confident you are about getting the position.
Handshake is the first step and it’s extremely important. Standing straight, head up, making a good eye contact, smiling and offering a firm hand.
Then, when you sit down, try not to cross your legs or your arms. Don’t close yourself to others. Be positive and smile. When you are in a true positive mindset, you body sends unconscious but positive signals and show others that you’re happy, confident and reliable.
When answering a question, look at all the interviewers. Let your gaze pass from one to the other. You want to involve them all and not only be focused on the person sitting in front of you. At the end of the day, they are all going to make the final decision so making a general great impression is in your best interest.
Finally, it’s crucial to listen, especially when you have to react to other applicants’ experiences and answers. If you’re genuinely interested in what others are saying, you’ll feel more comfortable in the discussion and you’ll definitely make a bigger impact.
Nothing worse than getting asked to give your advice on what’s just been said but you actually don’t have any idea what they are talking about because your mind was wandering. So, stay focused and listen carefully.
Interviewing is a sport.
And like any other sports, you obviously need to be fully prepared, in shape and ready for the game. But the truth is : if you suck when it’s time to actually play, you’re going to lose.
If the interview lasts for two hours and you want to get the job, you need to be on top of your game for 120 minutes. Not 110, not 100, not 80.
Too many people come super prepared to their interviews but, because of a poor body language, they don’t get the job. Keep in mind that interviewers are human beings and human beings based most of their judgments on visual.
If your body language doesn’t match what you’re saying, you’re not going to get the job.
The first step towards improving your body language is to become aware of it. Pay attention to how your interact with others, how do you use your hands, your legs, how do you talk, how do you sit and stand.
Then, practice, practice, practice.
One thing is for sure, if you master the art of body language, you’re already halfway to getting your dream job.
“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” — Peter F. Drucker
Quick tip: When you feel stressed before going to an interview, think of a past success you had. In this way, you’ll feel more confident, positive and upbeat. Try to remember how you looked, sounded and the power you felt at that time. Recalling it will help you embody this feeling.
