What is a panel interview? Definition and what to expect
A panel interview is a job interview where two or more people interview you at the same time, often a hiring manager, a future peer and someone from HR or another team. Each panelist may have their own questions and score you separately, so you answer the whole group, not only the person who asked.
Who's usually on the panel
| Panelist | What they're often listening for |
|---|---|
| Hiring manager | Can you do this job, and would they want to manage you? |
| Future peer or team member | Would you be easy and useful to work with every day? |
| HR or recruiting | Fit with the company's values, process questions, sometimes salary |
| Someone from another team or a senior leader | How you'd work across teams, and the bigger picture |
Sometimes one person only takes notes and never asks a question. They still count.
How answering differs from one-to-one
- Eye contact moves. Start your answer looking at the person who asked, look around at the others during the middle, and come back to the asker to finish.
- Use names when you refer back: "As Priya mentioned about the new system…"
- Questions can repeat. If two people ask similar things, answer again briefly. Don't say "As I already told Tom."
- Silence while they write is normal. Don't fill it. Wait, or ask "Would you like more detail on that?"
- Fit your example to the asker. A finance panelist may want the numbers; the peer may want how you worked with the team.
- Ask questions to different people at the end, for example one about the team to the peer and one about the role's priorities to the manager.
Panel interviews are often built from behavioral questions, with each panelist covering a different skill. More preparation tips are in how to prepare for a panel interview.
Questions people ask
How many people are on an interview panel?
Commonly two to five. Ask the recruiter beforehand who will be there and what their roles are.
Is a panel interview a good sign?
It usually means the role matters to several teams. It doesn't tell you much about your chances on its own.
Is a panel interview the same as a group interview?
No. A panel is several interviewers and one candidate. A group interview has several candidates at once.
Who should I look at when I answer?
Mostly the person who asked, but include everyone. A useful habit is to start and finish with the asker.