The panel interview can be one of the toughest situations a jobseeker will face. Instead of one person to impress, you will find at least two, and possibly five or more strangers ready to be dazzled by your 
interviewing prowess. It’s a situation that can make even the most polished communicator struggle to achieve the smooth back and forth of a conversation that is the ideal in an interview.
Here are three tips for mastering the panel interview:
Know Why You Want The Job
Hopefully you are interviewing for a job you really want. That genuine spark and enthusiasm is tough to conjure up when facing questions about the job from one person, but in a room full of watchful eyes, don’t count on fooling everyone if you aren’t truly excited about the job. There is a scene in a popular TV sitcom where an unemployed man is applying for a job with a septic tank cleaning company solely to secure an income for his family. The interviewer begins with the question, “What is it about septic tanks that appeals to you?“ and continues to pepper the candidate with questions that probe deeper and deeper into exactly why he wants to work in that job and for that septic company. The candidate does his best to convey an answer with some measure of truth about what appeals to him about the job, but his answers clearly lack what the interviewer is looking for. He finally exclaims with obvious frustration and sarcasm, “…because the idea of putting on a rubber suit and goggles and wading through human excrement sounds like the adventure of a lifetime! I guess what I am really saying is septic waste is my passion!” It is an extreme example, yes, but if you can’t answer the question “Why do you want to work here?” and exhibit a true interest in and knowledge about the job and the company, your ambivalence will be revealed.
Research The Players
If possible, find out who will be on the panel and use the company’s website, Google, and LinkedIn to gather information about them. What are their titles and roles within the company? What would each want from you as a colleague or employee? Make an attempt to find pictures of each person and associate the name with the face. A candidate who after only a brief introduction can refer to each person on the panel by name will be perceived as more a part of that group and less as an outsider to be viewed with suspicion. It is a subtle, yet powerful way to connect with the panel.
Be Inclusive
If you know why you are in the room and have done your research about the people in it, you should have a certain level of confidence. Build on that confidence by being inclusive when answering: direct your reply to the person asking the question while also involving the other members of the panel by looking at them too. In addition to good eye contact, use open body language as to not turn your back to anyone. Also, prepare a question to ask each interviewer. This helps to foster a feeling of a group discussion among colleagues rather than an interrogation.
A panel interview is an opportunity to establish rapport with potential co-workers and supervisors and a chance to get a glimpse of the dynamics and culture of the company. Arm yourself with this mindset and sufficient preparation for your next panel interview and you will shine!