Be ready to showcase your skills: Study the job description and list three characteristics related to the job and prepare yourself to show the interviewer that you have them. For instance you are to be interviewed for an event manager position, you can describe how you had organized a conference and managed to solve the last minute problems with your exceptional time management and multitasking skills.
Know the pitch you bat on: At a group interview you find multiple job candidates and hiring managers. Once the meeting begins, take a look at the people in the room and try to gauge their personality traits. Mind you, the silent spectator may be the final decision maker. It is not difficult to know the hierarchy if you watch with whom your interviewers are making an eye contact while speaking to you. You know, lower rung managers watch their bosses to get their reactions while talking to you. But you have to show equal respect to everyone in the room.
Make your presence felt: As group interviews are open dialogues, make sure your voice prevails; take care not to interrupt others. If you have a point to make when someone is speaking, wait till you get your chance. Dominating the conversation is a sign of poor team play, avoid it.
Be patient: As there are many participating candidates, you may find less time to frame your response to a particular issue. If somebody else is quick to react, don't interrupt him to push your argument. A purely phrased argument may cause more damage. Better to say nothing in such a situation.
Anticipate the unexpected: Don't be surprised if someone makes your point first, as everyone there is trying to be on the center stage. You can be in the spotlight by adding a point of view that gives weight to the debate. In such an event, you are getting the attention of the manager and make him understand that you are attentive to the conversation.
Play your cards well: In group interviews, hiring managers divide the participants into small groups and give each of them a hypothetical problem to solve. Here the interviewer will watch how you are making your point and whether you can lead the discussion. He will also see how others are reacting to your leadership. Here you will get an opportunity to exhibit your reasoning skills to make others accept your point of view.
What do hiring mangers want: Hiring mangers look for candidates who put questions with insight. Your way of getting information is a pointer to your interest in the job and the organization. Asking meaningful questions gives you an opportunity to outwit your competitors. To do this, get hold of the crux of the job description and research the company thoroughly.
The key to success is to accept the worth of other candidates and make your strategic moves to out shine them; you will then be the chosen one.
