GROUP INTERVIEWS THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.

So I have been job searching for a while now, and sometimes I do get interviews. But not the interview kind I like. Many have been group interviews, and here are some of the reasons why I don’t enjoy them.

• They take longer than a normal interview, up to 3 hours plus
• Being around false people, acting fake (we all know those people)
• You need to have a lot patience
• Active listening – I can zoon out quickly when bored
• Feeling awkward around new people. I am a introvert, so if you are a introvert you can relate to this.
• Forgetting a important key information because by the time it is your turn to share information you forget something.
• Listening to many irrelevant stories (can be distracting)
• Being judged or shall I say the feeling of being judged by others
• The battle and hunger for the job, Think The Hungar Games, but you have to be nice and sneaky to compete to get the job
• Being more nervous around many people
• Proving you can actually work in a team, so if one of the other strangers in your team gets on your nerves, be nice
• People being overly nice
• Annoying people, those who can’t stop talking, or have many fabulous stories to tell (this is not a friends reunion)

Good things about Group interviews

• Everyone is in the same boat;as you, wanting a new job
• Everyone is nervous too
• I can show my team playing skills doing group interview tasks
• I can show how I can communicate to other people in the room, being observed by the interviewers
• Learning something new
• Listening to interesting stories
• Being in a room with different people and making new connections
• Making new friends
• Finding out new leads for other jobs, this is when talking is useful when talking to others in the group interview

What do you think, do you enjoy or dislike group interviews?

How to prepare for a job interview

• Do your research on that particular company
• Do research on that particular work sector of that company
• Make sure you check the job description throughly
• Always have and carry a physical copy of your CV for your interview, is also very useful if your mind goes blank to have it there to check it
• Plan your smart outfit to wear for the interview a day before 
• Plan your journey before the day in advance, if you have to physically go to the interview. Due the pandemic I predict more interviews will be done on the phone or video-calling using Zoom, Skype and other video calling software
• Make sure you set your alarm, to wake up early on that day
• Prepare and memorise a quick speech, just a couple of sentences of who you are, what you do, showcasing your skills, experiences, talents and why you are suitable for the job
• Rehearse your interview by doing a mock interview with someone else

On the day of the interview (individual or group)

• Wake up at a good time
• Eat breakfast
• Make sure what you are wearing is representable and smart
• Double check your journey in the morning, if you are physically going to the interview
• Leave your home with plenty time to get to the interview, if you are physically going to the interview
• Don’t forget to have your CV to hand
• Stay calm
• Find a quiet area if you are at home to have the interview online
• Make sure your internet connection is good
• Speak clearly at a normal pace
• Answer questions fully, and avoid yes or no replies
• Link work related answer to a situation you used the skills or solved a task

If there is anything I have missed out, please leave it in the comments below

The title of this blog post is because I was thinking of the Clint Eastwood movie, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Even though I have not fully watched this movie.

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