how to nail a panel interview
simple guidelines
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Study your resume and know it well. This also goes for anything in your portfolio, know it like the back of your hand. Practice and time yourself.
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Show up early and well dressed. Dress sharp but comfortable and don't wear anything that will draw a negative focus (blue eyeshadow, hair in your face, or if you are a nervous nelly like me don't wear anything that will cause you to overheat)!
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Be confident, shake hands with the panel and look them in the eyes and smile because you got this – you are amazing! Don’t sell yourself short, you have valuable skills, experiences, and ideas!
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Maintain eye contact and remember your body language and nonverbal communication skills.
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Question & Answer Section
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Display your skills with concrete examples. Have examples from your own life that demonstrate leadership, growth mindset, resiliency, work ethic, good communication skills, and the ability to work well with others.
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Remember quality over quantity. You may have 5 different volunteer experiences but which one is the most recent, which one demonstrates the greatest commitment, which example is the strongest to make your point?
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Be concise and deliberate when providing answers.
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Bring a pen and paper to an interview! Jot down the question your being asked, take a second to think, breathe, and then answer. It's also an excellent idea to have a pen and paper to exchange contact information with a panel member (your phone which has been on silent throughout the interview could also work).
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Always prepare a question for the panel.
Remember practice makes perfect - no one was great in their first job interview
Think of every experience as a chance to learn and grow!
The worst mistake anyone can make is being too afraid to make one!
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