An article in the Wall Street Journal, says that panel interviews are gaining popularity in the private sector, with companies finding them "an efficient way to measure applicants' mettle under fire."
As with most interviews, preparation is key. Research who will be in the interview, and make a cheat sheet of who's who and what they do for the company. If you don't know ahead of time, keep track as you're introduced to each person. Notice where the power lies within the group.
You also should closely monitor the group dynamics. How screeners introduce themselves, their initial banter and the seating arrangement speak volumes about who wields the most clout.
Panel interviews may be the best predictor of cross-company dynamics, however. "You're not always going to be on the same page with everyone in the room," the article notes, and so it will be with your life on the job.
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