Panel Interview Sample Questions & Answers to Land the Job
Picture this: you walk into a conference room to find a group of professionals waiting to interview you. You might feel your nerves spike, but panel interviews don’t have to be intimidating. In fact, they’re a fantastic opportunity to show off your skills to a diverse group of decision-makers at once.
While panel interviews are a step up in complexity compared to traditional one-on-one interviews, they’ve become increasingly popular across industries for assessing top candidates. In 2025, over 60% of companies in industries like tech, healthcare, and finance report using panel interviews as part of their hiring process.
In this article, you’ll learn how to ace your panel interview with confidence. From preparation tips to sample questions with tailored answers, we’ll help you stand out and secure the job.
What Is a Panel Interview?
A panel interview is an interview format where two or more people collectively assess a job candidate. This approach gives hiring teams a well-rounded view of the candidate’s qualifications by incorporating feedback from a variety of perspectives. It’s often used to ensure a fairer, more informed decision-making process.
Panel interviews typically include people who will work closely with the candidate, such as their potential manager, colleagues, and, in some cases, direct reports. Occasionally, external consultants or advisors may join the panel to provide additional insights, particularly for highly specialized roles.
Diverse panels are becoming the gold standard in hiring. Companies are prioritizing panels that include a mix of genders, races, and professional backgrounds to reduce bias. According to a 2024 LinkedIn study, organizations that implemented diverse interview panels were 25% more likely to hire a candidate who excelled in the job long-term. This is great news for candidates, as it encourages a more inclusive and equitable hiring process.
From your perspective, a panel interview provides a unique advantage: you get to meet several key people at once. It’s a chance to learn more about the company culture, the team’s dynamics, and how well you might fit into the organization. Pay attention to how the panel interacts with one another—do they seem collaborative and supportive? These subtle cues can reveal a lot about what it’s like to work there.
Why Are Panel Interviews Used?
Panel interviews are a practical and effective way for companies to make confident hiring decisions. Just like you might ask for advice from several trusted friends before making a big decision, organizations bring together multiple stakeholders to weigh in on who’s the best fit for the job.
Multiple perspectives lead to better decisions
Companies can gain a broader understanding of a candidate’s qualifications, personality, and potential fit by including diverse panel members. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that teams incorporating input from multiple stakeholders were 30% more likely to make accurate hiring decisions than single-interviewer setups.
For candidates, this also means the hiring decision isn’t based on one person’s preferences. The input of a group reduces the chances of personal bias impacting the outcome, giving you a fairer shot at landing the job.
Efficiency in the hiring process
Panel interviews streamline hiring logistics. Instead of scheduling multiple rounds of interviews, employers can consolidate their efforts into one session with all key decision-makers. This is especially helpful when hiring for time-sensitive or high-demand roles, such as healthcare professionals, software developers, or executive positions.
Assessing technical skills with experts
For jobs requiring specialized knowledge, panel interviews allow companies to bring in subject matter experts who can assess your technical capabilities. For instance, an IT manager hiring a cybersecurity analyst may include an experienced team member to evaluate your proficiency with specific tools or protocols.
How to Prepare for a Panel Interview
Preparation is the best way to turn a potentially nerve-racking panel interview into a winning opportunity. While the steps are similar to preparing for a traditional interview, there are a few specific strategies to remember.
1. Know the logistics
Double-check the time, location, or virtual platform details well in advance. Arrive at least 10-15 minutes early. Being late to a panel interview affects not only one person’s schedule but the entire group’s. If it’s a virtual interview, test your technology to avoid glitches.
2. Research the panel
Request a list of the panel members ahead of time. Familiarize yourself with their roles and professional backgrounds by reviewing the company website, LinkedIn profiles, or industry publications. Craft at least one thoughtful question tailored to each panelist.
3. Practice engaging multiple people
Maintaining eye contact with multiple interviewers is essential. Studies show that strong eye contact improves perceived confidence and trustworthiness. Practice responding to questions by shifting your gaze naturally between all panel members. Picture it like a group conversation where everyone gets equal attention.
4. Prepare stories and examples
Panel interviews often involve follow-up questions that build on each other. Come ready with several concise examples highlighting your skills, such as when you solved a problem, led a team, or met a tight deadline. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
5. Practice your nonverbal communication
Your body language speaks volumes. Sit upright, avoid fidgeting, and project confidence through open, relaxed gestures. Nonverbal cues can carry as much weight as your verbal responses when interviewers are assessing your fit.
6. Bring copies of your resume
Even if panel members have your resume, offering them a physical copy or sharing it digitally during a virtual interview shows preparation and professionalism.
7. Prepare thoughtful questions
Asking insightful questions is just as important as answering theirs. Questions like “What does success look like in this role?” or “What are the team’s current goals?” can demonstrate your interest in contributing to the organization. You can find more examples below.
8. Plan for post-interview follow-up
After the interview, send personalized thank-you notes to each panelist. Mention a specific topic you discussed with them to leave a lasting impression.
Sample Panel Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
During a panel interview, you’ll need to respond to questions from multiple people, sometimes building on answers you’ve already given. To help you shine, here are six common panel interview questions and strategies for crafting strong, impactful responses.
Wondering how you can sell yourself in an interview? Lead confidently and come prepared to align your skills and experience to the position at hand.
Why do you want to work for our company?
Many candidates hate the question, “Why do you want to work here?” Whether this job is your passion or you simply need the money, why does it matter either way if you’re qualified for the role, right? While we certainly sympathize with this line of thinking, there are some genuinely good reasons interviewers ask this question.
It helps them assess how you might fit in with the company and whether your values align with theirs. It also helps them gauge whether you view the role as a long-term opportunity or just a stepping stone on the way to something else. Finally, it’s useful in revealing whether you prepared for the interview.
You can answer this question in one of two ways or a combination of both. You might use the background research you did on the company during your interview prep to discuss why it seems like a place you want to work. Or, you can talk about the specific aspects of the role you’re interested in and why you believe it meshes well with your qualifications.
Sample answer: “I admire your commitment to innovation, especially your recent launch of [specific initiative or product]. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to a team that values creativity and collaboration, which aligns with my experience in [specific skill or field].”
Where do you see yourself in five years?
While it might be difficult to think past what you’re going to have for lunch after your interview, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” is important in helping your interviewers determine whether you’ll succeed in the role and, from a broader perspective, at the company. A good employer is concerned with making sure you not only get your job done but are satisfied with it, so it’s a good sign if they demonstrate a genuine interest in your answer.
This is not the time to share that you dream of one day starting your own craft brewery or running for President. Instead, talk about how you see yourself progressing in this particular role. It’s okay to be a little vague here! You can mention that you’re excited about becoming proficient in a new position, getting the opportunity for further training in this industry, and possibly advancing within the company when the time is appropriate.
Sample answer: “In five years, I see myself growing within this role by mastering [key skill relevant to the job]. I’d also like to contribute to larger projects and take on more leadership opportunities as I develop my expertise.”
Why did you leave your last job?
You’ll want to be sure to prepare for this panel interview question ahead of time. It’s a tough question by design, and if you can navigate it gracefully, you’ll score points with your panel of interviewers.
The best answers to “Why are you leaving your job?” are honest without spilling unnecessary details. Here are some examples of good reasons you can cite for your job search:
- There are limited opportunities for advancement in my current role, and I’m looking to grow in my career.
- While I love my job, it seems as though this position is a better fit for my skills in [specific area] and my professional goals.
- My career is important to me, but I took some time off to focus on [insert worthwhile cause here]. I’m excited about an opportunity to put my skills to work once again.
- Unfortunately, I was part of a restructuring that eliminated my position. Since then I’ve spent time networking and working on my professional development independently while looking for the right position.
Keep your answer short and sweet. The longer you stay on this topic (especially if you’re not leaving your current job on the greatest terms), the longer you risk sharing something you’d be better off keeping to yourself.
Sample answer: “I enjoyed my time at [previous company], but I’m looking for a position that offers more opportunities to expand my skills in [specific area] and contribute to impactful projects like the ones you’re working on here.”
What’s an example of a challenge you overcame in your last job?
The phrasing of this question may vary (how do you deal with difficult situations? Tell us about a time you disagreed with another team member on a shared project, etc.), but the goal is the same: to get you to speak analytically about your ability to overcome challenges.
As you prepare for your panel interview, gather a few anecdotes you can use to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. This might include working on a team to reach a tough goal, meeting a tight deadline to please a client, or coming through for your boss on a challenging assignment. Set up the problem, talk through how you approached it, and close with a positive resolution.
It’s a good idea to have a few different anecdotes in your back pocket so you can choose the one that best suits the question in the moment.
Sample answer: “At my last job, we faced a tight deadline to deliver a client project. I took the lead in creating a task schedule, delegating responsibilities, and keeping the team on track. We delivered the project on time, exceeding the client’s expectations and securing repeat business.”
Tell me about your experience with [technical skill].
There’s a good chance the interviewers on a panel will have varying technical skills. Some might be highly familiar with the skills of this particular role, perhaps having held the role themself at one point, while others might only have a basic understanding of the job. This question allows you to prove that you’re proficient in the required skills even if the interviewers are not.
Before you get too technical with your answer, begin with what we like to call the ‘grandma-friendly’ explanation. How would you explain what you do to your grandmother? If you’re an SEO specialist, you probably wouldn’t tell good old gram that you ‘modify website CSS code to optimize search engine performance among target buyer personas.’ Instead, you’d say you help more people find your company online.
Explaining what you do in layman’s terms is an important part of succeeding in a technical role, so this high-level overview is a good starting point before diving into the nitty-gritty of your technical experience.
Sample answer: “In my role as an SEO analyst, I optimized websites to improve their visibility in search results. For example, I led a project where we increased organic traffic by 35% in three months by enhancing site speed, refining keyword targeting, and creating user-focused content.”
What’s your ideal work environment?
As we mentioned earlier, panel interviews are one-way companies assess for culture fit by getting multiple perspectives on a candidate. This question is an opportunity to honestly state what you’re looking for in an employer–remember, you should want it to be a good fit just as much as they do.
To formulate your answer to “What type of work environment do you prefer?” think about the words or phrases that would describe a place you’d like to work at. Some examples are collaborative, creative, conservative, structured, relaxed, social, independent, flexible, organized, empowering, and transparent.
Sample answer: “I thrive in collaborative environments where creativity is encouraged, and team members support each other. Based on what I’ve learned about your culture, it seems like a great match for me.”
Check out all of our interview questions and answers to help you make a lasting impression!
Questions to Ask an Interview Panel
When the panel gives you the chance to ask questions, it’s your opportunity to learn more about the company, the role, and the people you’ll be working with. Asking thoughtful questions shows your interest and helps you determine if the job is a good fit for you.
Here are some strategic questions to consider:
- [Panelist’s Name], can you share what it’s like to work on [specific team]?
- What are the top priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role contribute to the company’s larger goals?
- I noticed that [recent company news or achievement]. Can you tell me more about it?
- What qualities have made people successful in this role in the past?
- Can you describe the team’s communication style and work dynamic?
- What opportunities for growth and development does the company provide?
When asking your questions, address panelists by name when possible, and thank them for their responses. Thoughtful, tailored questions will leave a lasting impression, signaling you’re proactive, prepared, and genuinely interested in the opportunity.
