Job Advice

To help candidates succeed during group interviews, we asked hiring managers and business owners this question for their best tips. From connecting to the four personality styles to engaging with the other candidates, there are several strategies to help you build connections and stand out during a group interview.

Here are 11 ways to build connections in group interviews:

• Connect to the Four Personality Styles
• Don’t Always Be the First Person to Respond
• Be Vulnerable
• Do Your Research
• Give Specific Examples and Accomplishments
• Respond to and Build Off of Others’ Answers
• Show Your Concern for Teamwork
• Be An Active Listener
• Follow-up is the Key
• Eye Contact
• Engage With Other Candidates

Connect to the Four Personality Styles

You may not know the panel’s exact personality style, but in a group, rest assured you have all four styles present. When you touch each of the styles with your communication, you connect with them…like you are speaking their own language. When given a question, be direct and get to the bottom line first. This reaches the Commanders who don’t have the patience for long-winded answers. Follow that up by sharing a story that illustrates your answer so that you engage the Coaches are who very interactive. As you are doing this, give eye contact to each person so that the Counselors feel your connection. Wrap up with some facts, figures and data that support your answer, and you will have connected with the Conductors as well as the entire panel. Repeat the process for each question.

Lorraine Bossé-Smith, Concept One LLC

Don’t Always Be the First Person to Respond

Speaking up in a group interview is generally good advice, but always being the first to respond isn’t the most strategic way to build a connection.

For example, allowing space for and hearing other candidates’ responses provides processing time and a chance to stand out with more than a thoughtful statement, but a collaborative approach as well. Often times the goal of a group interview isn’t to find one successful candidate but to witness how each person interacts with the rest of the group which is helpful for developing a good fit for the team.

Candidates can showcase their teamwork, listening, leadership, and professional skills by taking a strategic rather than competitive approach in a group interview.

Tommy Chang, Homelister

Be Vulnerable

Be vulnerable. Sharing who you are in a genuine, vulnerable, authentic way helps you stand out because the interviewer does not only meet a prospective hire, but a person. When you are truthful about who you are in more ways than what you can offer a business, you create a lasting impression.

Chris Vaughn, Emjay

Do Your Research

When you are a candidate in a group interview it’s important to adequately prepare as you’ll need to stand out and make a lasting impression. Do your research beforehand on the interviewers by searching their Linkedin and seeing what they have accomplished in their interview. You should find a point that you are able to bring up in the interview that will help connect you with them while also showing that you did your research beforehand. In addition to researching the interviewers beforehand, make sure you do a deep dive into the company by sifting through their website, social channels, and any news placements. When you do your research, it shows!

Chris Hunter, ServiceTitan

Give Specific Examples and Accomplishments

You will most likely just be able to answer a couple of questions in this scenario. So make these responses count. Highlight specific accomplishments, in my opinion, not just with numbers, but with visual stories that are easily recalled. Also, ask the interviewees questions that demonstrate your interest in them as persons. This will assist you in developing a positive, genuine relationship.

Veronica Miller, VPNOverview

Respond to and Build Off of Others’ Answers

The mistake many make in group interviews is neglecting the other candidates. You shouldn’t spend the entire time they’re talking planning the next thing you’ll say to sell yourself. Part of what group interviews demonstrate is your ability to engage with your peers, and doing so effectively will make you stand out. Listen to the answers given by other candidates, and respond to or piggyback off of them when you have a relevant point to add or similar experience to share. This will ultimately help you connect better with the interviewers, as well, who will appreciate that you are making an effort to interact with the other participants, rather than just focusing on talking yourself up.

Jon Hill, The Energists

Show Your Concern for Teamwork

Group interviews, in my opinion, are an excellent opportunity for employees and employers alike to examine the team component of a company. You should ask questions about how you’ll fit in with the group, how the team works together, how you can aid the team, and other topics. Employers will be impressed that you want to be a part of their team dynamic and will be more likely to say “you’re hired” if you focus on your individual strengths.

Kenny Kline, BarBend

Be An Active Listener

During group interviews, it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling invisible in a room full of candidates. This can make it hard to build a connection, or even could make you appear indifferent or apathetic. The best way to avoid it is to act as if the interviewer was talking only to you and to constantly show him that you are listening by maintaining eye contact and using body language cues such as nodding. Make sure to not only look like you are listening but actually focus on the information the interviewer is providing. Try to reference it when it’s time for you to ask questions, to further show your active participation.

Maja Kowalska, Zety

Follow-up is the Key

During a group interview, it’s important to gather names and email addresses (most companies follow a pattern).   Focus on the questions that each individual is specifically asking, and note them. Within 24 hours of the interview, e-mail each person on the panel a personalized thank you with a short elaboration on what they were specifically interested in or asking about. Most employers are looking for a person who cannot just do the job but will follow up to ensure it is done correctly.  This will differentiate you from the other candidates, and lead to greater success in connecting to the individuals in the group.

Mike Shaw, EMBARK

Eye Contact

Whenever I have attended a group interview in the past it was for a position that I was intensively interested in. That’s just the way the cards fell.

So naturally, I was alert and listened attentively to the speaker. This also meant that my eyes followed their eyes constantly. I noticed that once the speaker locked gaze with me a 1st time and I was still attentively following their gaze a 2nd time, they seemed to periodically lock gaze with me, and the more I was present when their gaze fell to me. The more we locked gaze and connected.

Even to the point of nodding at one another periodically. When it came time to ask a question I ensured I had one prepared and naturally the speaker selected me 1st. As you can imagine by this point we had established a connection stronger than most if not stronger than all in the room. This worked for me on multiple occasions and ensured that the speaker remembered me, consciously or subconsiosuly.

Ross Kernez, Health Plan One

Engage With Other Candidates

Group interviews give the opportunity to see how candidates interact with others. One of the ways to build a connection in a group interview is to listen attentively when others are speaking and then make a point referencing what someone else has said. Another idea is if you see someone is left out of the discussion to ask their opinion and involve them in the conversation.

Georgi Todorov, thrivemyway

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To help you reconnect with a previous colleague or boss, we asked CEOs and experienced business leaders this question for their best insights. From staying professional to personalizing your message, there are several tips that may help you reach out to a former colleague or boss and revive that professional relationship.

Here are 12 tips for reconnecting with a previous colleague or boss while networking:

• Stay Professional
• Bring Back Good Memories
• Be Positively Assertive When Reaching Out
• Offer Them a LinkedIn Recommendation
• Stay in Touch
• Be Genuine and Not Overbearing
• Keep Assumptions Aside to Avoid Disappointments
• Thank Them for Something They Taught You
• Create An Interesting Subject Line
• Send An Interesting Article
• Be Tactful
• Personalize Your Message

Stay Professional

If it has been a long time since contacting a former colleague or boss, you should be as professional as possible when reaching out and reconnecting. Even though you no longer work together, your impression still matters, so it never hurts to keep a professional tone of email or private message on Linkedin, for example. These old professional contacts serve as valuable resources as references or sources of advice, so be as polite and professional as possible.

Brandon Brown, Grin

Bring Back Good Memories

Starting a conversation is the most awkward thing in reconnecting with a former colleague. So let me share one helpful tip: remind them of something you experienced together. It’s the perfect icebreaker because you both will feel better when you remember your good times together. Also, a sentimental mindset increases the possibility of keeping the conversation going.

Bartek Boniecki, passport-photo online

Be Positively Assertive When Reaching Out

Reconnecting with an old colleague or boss can be awkward, yet, do not make it more so by making assumptions when reaching out to them, instead be positively assertive. There are many factors that play into one’s thoughts when getting a connection request from someone that you lost contact with, including the time lapse, status of the previous relationship, and where they are personally and professionally.

Beginning your email with “I hope you remember” or “you may not remember me” not only infers negative assumptions about your relationship, but can be insulting. By being positively assertive by making no memory references, and simply identifying yourself at the end, you are both signifying that they are still prominent in your mind, while not unintentionally implying ideas that can be misread, beginning the process off on the wrong foot.

Adelle Archer, Eterneva

Offer Them a LinkedIn Recommendation

If you’re aiming to reconnect with a former colleague or manager, the nature of how you can reconnect with them turns largely on how you left your previous company. If you left under less than desirable circumstances, reconnecting may be harder and take more work. But, as in most cases, if you left under amiable conditions and maintained strong relationships when you left, it won’t be as difficult. But regardless of the circumstances, one suggestion to make reconnecting easier is to offer your former colleague or boss a recommendation on LinkedIn. Write a short paragraph about your experience working with them on LinkedIn, endorsing their skills and being sure to include how they excelled in their role. No matter how you left things, good or bad, this is sure to warm things up for a recommendation. Everyone likes having nice things said about them, even the most humble of us.

John Ross, Test Prep Insight

Stay in Touch

It is always a good idea to keep in touch with past colleagues or employers; you never know who might be an important person in your life down the road. Find a way to maintain a relationship with them, and then when you reach out to reconnect, it will feel natural. Email is always a professional yet casual way to reach out. Check-in and ask how they are doing, what projects they have been working on, and ask them if they are available for a chat over the phone or coffee. If you maintain positive relationships, it will make reconnecting so much easier.

Sumeer Kaur, Lashkaraa

Be Genuine and Not Overbearing

Be genuine. Use professional social media, such as LinkedIn, to find previous colleagues, employers, and classmates. Look over their latest accomplishments or recent post and send them a message addressing one of these and briefly reminding them who you are. Leave the door open for future interaction.

Liz Hogan, Find My Profession

Keep Assumptions Aside to Avoid Disappointments

It may have been years or even decades since you spoke to one another, and the people you are trying to reconnect with may have very different lives, moving on to other jobs or even other countries. So one way to begin reconnecting on the right note is without expectations and assumptions. For starters, do not assume they will remember, do not expect an enthusiastic or even warm welcome, and do not expect them to set aside time for you. And certainly do not assume that they will accord you the importance you think you deserve. Begin with zero expectations and take it upon yourself to rebuild the severed relationship.

Eva Taylor, WP Buffs

Thank Them for Something They Taught You

When reconnecting with a previous colleague, thank them for something they taught you while you worked together. It might be related to your industry, dealing with people, or a computer shortcut they showed you. But when you appreciate someone for something specific, it jumpstarts the relationship on a personal and authentic level. A simple, “I remember you taught me about such and such, thanks for helping me learn that,” will go a long way as you reconnect.

Logan Mallory, Motivosity

Create An Interesting Subject Line

Be sure to create an interesting subject line. It could consist of your name and where you met the colleague, for example. People are receiving hundreds of emails per day, so it’s best to get right to the introduction. If you’re networking to discuss future opportunities, you can do so in the body of the email. But the subject line needs to stand out to draw attention. Not only is this helpful in networking, but helps with creative communication skills moving forward.

Lillie Sun, Three Ships Beauty

Send An Interesting Article

One way to reconnect with a previous colleague or boss for networking purposes is to forward an interesting article or website. This gesture starts the conversation off with creating value for the other party instead of immediately starting the discussion with an ask. Not to mention, this tactic presents the interaction as more natural rather than transactional. Your contact may be touched or grateful that you thought of them while reading the article, and may assume that you decided to reach out as a consequence of remembering rather than with an opportunistic agenda.

Carly Hill, Virtual Holiday Party

Be Tactful

If your purpose is to try to go back to working at a company where you worked previously, be friendly with your connections at this company. Do not ask about any open positions without being warm, grateful for your past work experience with them, and wishing them well. If you simply ask about coming back to work with them and nothing else, you may come off as too desperate or demanding. It is important to be gracious and polite during this process.

Matt Miller, Embroker

Personalize Your Message

When networking, show the other person that you truly want to reconnect with them. Personalize your message by providing specific details unique to the person, such as congratulating them on a recent promotion or bringing up a topic you have discussed with them in the past. If the email appears generic, they may think you are sending the same message to multiple people.

Benjamin Farber, Bristol Associates, Inc.

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What is one strategy to strengthen your mindset, and improve your chances of landing your next job?

To help job-seekers strengthen their mindsets, we asked recruiting professionals and business leaders this question for their best advice. From practicing a visualization exercise to setting aside time for yourself, there are several strategies that may help you strengthen your mindset and improve your chances of landing your next job.

Here are 11 strategies to strengthen your mindset:

• Practice a Visualization Exercise
• Get Ahead of Your Imposter Syndrome
• Set a Deadline
• Develop a Confident Mindset
• Be Specific About What You Want
• Treat the Job Search Like a Job
• Challenge Yourself Every Day
• Create a Personal Narrative
• Tap into Your Network
• Forget Accomplishments and Focus On Growth
• Set Aside Time Outside of Job Searching

Practice a Visualization Exercise 

A strategy that I’ve coached students on is a visualization exercise. Each time he or she receives an invitation to interview, they should visualize themselves also receiving an offer. This exercise should include details on how they will feel when they receive this offer, how much they’ll be making, and the excitement they will feel sharing the good news with loved ones. This small exercise can help you to dispel limiting beliefs and feel confident in your ability to perform the job.

Kristine Thorndyke, Test Prep Nerds

Get Ahead of Your Imposter Syndrome

When job searching, it’s common to get overwhelmed when you aren’t seeing as many results as you would like. This can take a hit on your confidence and can allow for imposter syndrome to kick in. When going through the application and interview process, do what you can to help get you into a positive mindset. Believing in yourself may seem like a platitude, but genuine confidence and resilience in the job hunt process are necessary. To get in the right frame of mind listen to your favorite song, wear your favorite shirt, give yourself a pep talk! Whatever you can do to help give you that confidence will reward you in your next interview.

Tom Mumford, Undergrads

Set a Deadline

Give yourself a career timeline. It can be very helpful to establish a deadline. Then, write down baby steps you’ll take along the way in order to reach your goal. Maybe you’ll apply for a specific number of jobs each day, as an example. This can help boost your confidence that you are able to follow through on your daily tasks. In turn, this will strengthen your mindset about your job search.

Shaun Price, MitoQ

Develop a Confident Mindset 

Most people think about job hunting in terms of skills and experience, but that’s only half the story. The other half is your mindset—the thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs you have about yourself and the process of job hunting.

If you go into the process with a negative or defeatist mindset, you’re much less likely to succeed. But if you approach it with a positive attitude and a belief that you can get the job done, you’re far more likely to be successful. So work on developing a strong, confident mindset and see how it impacts your job hunt.

Claire Westbrook, LSAT Prep Hero

Be Specific About What You Want

It’s essential to be specific about what you want. When someone is confident and determined in their goals, current challenges can be used as motivation. Hiring managers are attracted to candidates who are positive and self-assured, and a candidate who can be assertive in their goals will stand out in the application process. Not only does this strengthen your mindset, but you will also start to believe in yourself and take initiative in tasks to succeed in the long run.

Corey Ashton Walters, Here

Treat the Job Search Like a Job

In my work with candidates, the ones who consistently secure new jobs fastest are those who give their search the same time commitment and mental energy as they would bring to a job. This includes setting actionable goals and outlining the steps to get there with the same detail you’d bring to completing any other project.

This shift in mindset can also help to alleviate anxiety and other negative emotions that can arise when you’re searching for work. It changes your perspective on tasks like updating your resume or checking job marketplaces. These feel more productive when you know the specific goals you’re aiming for and how those actions are helping you get there. Similarly, this mindset shift encourages you to be more intentional with your process, using the same self-analysis and improvement approaches you would bring to a work project, rather than sinking into feelings of hopelessness and other unproductive negativity if your search doesn’t yield results right away.

Jon Hill, The Energists

Challenge Yourself Every Day

Make personal development a daily practice. That can mean reading a book by an inspirational figure, finding time for physical activity every day, practicing mediation, or learning a new skill. When we continually improve and challenge ourselves, we gain confidence to pursue our goals. Find something every day to help you become the person you want to be.

Sumeer Kaur, Lashkaraa

Create a Personal Narrative

A narrative is the story you tell yourself and others about who you are and what your life means. It can be an effective strategy for communicating your strengths, accomplishments, and value to employers. A powerful way of developing a compelling narrative is highlighting challenges you have overcome or lessons learned from work-related situations where you excelled. These narratives are essential tools that clearly define your worth to future employers.

Marc De Diego Ferrer, MCA Assessors

Tap into Your Network

Realize that you have a network of people willing to help you land your next job. Don’t be afraid to reach out to those around you. The more people you make aware that you’re looking for a new job, the better. Lean into your relationships with past coworkers, employers, acquaintances, friends, and family. You never know where your connections may take you.

Natalie Waltz, Tabu

Forget Accomplishments and Focus On Growth

Adopting a growth mindset over an accomplishment-based mindset is a game-changer in terms of professional success. An accomplishment-based mindset frames an individual’s value around their successes, which makes for a risk-averse approach to life because any potential failure carries with it the threat of lowering our perceived value.

Reframing to a growth mindset takes the unnecessary personal threat out of risk, allowing us to see that there is valuable experience gained in both success and failure. If you’re a job seeker, this will make your strengths look more impressive because a candid acknowledgment of weaknesses shows that you’re capable of addressing rather than avoiding them. Be an applicant that is unafraid of uncertainty, confident in the face of challenge, and always seeking to improve.

Charles Hua, Poised

Set Aside Time Outside of Job Searching

It can be tempting to fully dedicate your time to nothing but job searching, but this mindset can quickly trap you into a rut. By spending all of your time on job searching, you forget to care for yourself first and foremost which will deteriorate your mental state and even potentially overlook a potential job or make an error during the application process. It’s key to spend time for yourself, even if it’s something as simple as going on a walk for a half-hour. Having time away from the search keeps you refreshed and ready to tackle the challenge head-on.

Bill Lyons, Griffin Funding

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