How to Succeed in a Group Interview

A group interview is an interview in which an employer will screen several applicants at one time. These can be daunting, but are practically unavoidable in a competitive job market. Many employers not only do this for efficiency's sake but also to see how you work with other people. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your success in a group interview. 

Approach the room with confidence

When you see the other candidates for the first time, you may feel intimidated or surprised, but don’t let it show. Your reaction to the situation and the group is very important to the employer’s perception of you. Show that you can handle new environments, new people, and situations that deviate from your norm.

Speak with a purpose

In a group, it’s easy to feel like you need to constantly participate. While it’s pertinent to pay attention to the discussion, it doesn’t always need your response or input. When you have something to say, make sure it is unique and moves the conversation along. Use body language to show that you’re engaged, even when you’re not speaking. If you have a thought while someone else is talking, make a note of it. When your turn comes up, you’ll be confident in all that you have to say.

Listen

With that being said, it is essential to pay attention to the questions and your group members’ responses. You may be asked the same question and therefore don’t want to give the same answers. Or a discussion may spring up from a reply and it will be beneficial for you to make a contribution.

Focus on yourself

Don't focus your efforts on "bringing down the competition" or discounting others' thoughts and ideas. Not only will it make you look like a bad team player, but it will take away from the opportunities you have to build yourself up. Take this time to show how you interact with others and what you can bring to a group and company. Spending all your time tearing others down is merely a detriment to yourself.

Set yourself apart

While it’s good to be friendly with the other candidates and beneficial to maintain an effective dialogue, you are there to be hired. Show your employer what makes you unique. Stand out by sharing different views on a topic or how you took advantage of a special opportunity.

Senior Ayako Nakashita Gains Confidence After JCFP Experience

Ayako Nakashita gained confidence in herself and her abilities after interning at New York Cares in their Service Events department.

As an international student, Nakashita found her career experience options limited. However, JCFP gave her the opportunity to “earn clinical experiences working in the field.” She learned the importance in asking for help from her supervisors and coworkers when she encountered challenges. She realized that even if an opportunity seemed beyond her reach, she needed to try to the best of her ability. With this newfound confidence, Nakashita says that “with the faith in myself that I earned, I am now rather excited with trying new things than being afraid of it.”

With the tenacity to move forward, Nakashita was able to learn things she could not in the classroom and pursue her future further. “Be proactive towards whatever you want to accomplish for your future,” she says.

The JCFP experience helped Nakashita see things in a new light. “These experiences will widen your perspective in a way that enable you to see the things from opposite side of where you are,” she says. “If you want to see the best version of you, JCFP is the perfect place to work in the summer.”

Sarthak Arora Paves His Own Path to Success

Sarthak Arora gained invaluable skills working as an Executive Marketing Intern at The National Urban League.
Although Arora’s internship didn’t align with his job aspirations, his role as an intern granted him skills and experience in the workplace that would come in handy at any job in any career field. “Through JCFP, I was able to show that I can adhere to organizational structure and be a contributing member of a team, which are invaluable skills in any work environment,” he says. “The JCFP employers...often times require heavy assistance with their day to day operations, thus allowing students to get a real insight into what it is like to work with a team to accomplish goals and navigate through real obstacles that may come in the way.”

However, he was able to incorporate the type of experience he wanted into his internship experience. As a Mathematics and Computer Science major, he was able to immerse himself deeply in website development and the analytics side of marketing for the non-profit. Once he specified the type of experience he was seeking, he was given more projects to do relating to that field. “Once I specified the type of experience I was seeking, I was given more and more projects related to my interests,” Arora says.

Arora stresses the importance of paving your own path to success. “Ultimately, it all comes down to actively seeking opportunities and making connections which will help you tremendously in all your future professional endeavors,” he says.