Group Interview
When I first heard it was going to be a group interview, I freaked out a bit and immediately googled the hell out of it.
I went through mine with no expectations, neutral motivation and a lot of passive observing, afterall, I wanted to use this opportunity as a learning ground.
What I learnt:
- Come prepared with a list of interesting questions. (Tip: Check BCG’s FAQs) If not, ask the interviewer the same questions he asked the group. (I did that)
- Bring a small notebook. Note the names of the participants and background.
- There are 4 things you can do in a group setting.
——- Dominate the discussion (should not do as this is the interviewer’s position)
——- Influence the people (do it if the job is of a leadership position)
——- Engage/create conversations (definitely!)
——- Summarise/review what has been said (only if you can add a closing point, else its just boring and unnecessary).
- Engage/Create Conversations By:
——- Bringing up somebody’s (by using their names. That’s where recording names of participants in notebook comes in useful) good point and add to it.
——- Add to it by giving context or seeing it from another point person’s pov
- Give realistic solutions to problems. OR Give an out of the box solution: Saying NO solution.
——— No solution: phrase it as “sometimes, you need to pick your battles to win the war. Come back when the situation has improved”
——— If no solution is not an option, reframe the case. Put it in a another context, another industry or at another time.
Know thy strengths:
- I am resourceful. I know the ground. I am and my experience has always been focused on the bottom line.
I am ready to take on my next group interview seriously.
