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The group interview is used to recruit several people at once. This style of recruiting allows a company to assess many candidates simultaneously so it's much faster than the traditional one-on-one approach.

They are generally on the hunt for attributes such as good problem-solving skills, strong communication skills and the ability to work with a team. The group interview is designed to test participants against a range of competencies for a particular role while also giving candidates a thorough look at what the company and the role is all about.

Participants are asked to come up with a solution for a particular scenario. This could involve any scenario dealing with a particular problem.

Speaking in front of the group is a pretty distinct possibility as it is likely each participant will be asked to act out a role at some point. It's also possible each candidate will be asked to tell the group about themselves and explain why their particular attributes suit one of the roles on offer.

Being active gives you an opportunity to gain attention. If you hang back, you will not provide the recruiters with anything to assess you on. Employers are looking for people who are outgoing and proactive but there is also a catch in this. Being dominating and outrageous will guarantee you attention but sometimes of the WRONG kind. Try to be as natural as possible because you are more likely to end up in a role that is truly suited to you if you act yourself.

How to prepare:

When you are contacted about your selection for a group interview, you should know the job description. You might as well pose any other questions you want answered regarding what is going to happen and what you should bring. Many companies will not disclose any information pertaining to group interview but there is nothing wrong with asking and that the more information you gain, the better prepared you will be.

Doing some research about the company will always make you fell comfortable. Visit their website and also pick up brochures or an annual report from the company's office.

Prepare a short piece about yourself. Even if you are never asked to speak about yourself, doing this exercise will help you focus on what skills and attributes you possess and how these will relate to the job or jobs on offer.

Rehearse with a family member or friend. Use your short piece about yourself and do some role-playing using the angry customer and problem-solving staff member as characters. It doesn't matter that the scenarios will differ when you do the real thing on the day. Rehearsal gets you thinking and helps you practice skills that will make you stand out such as speaking clearly, maintaining good eye contact and remaining calm no matter how angry a customer gets. It is also recommended to practice a firm handshake, good eye contact, listening skills and speaking clearly and loudly enough for a group to hear and to maintain a positive body language.

It's important you make a contribution to the group. Even if another member of the group is the first to provide an answer to a question, if you agree with that answer, then express your support. However, be genuine as you might be asked to explain why you agree with a particular answer.

Group interview is an opportunity for candidates to market themselves. "Market yourself like you were a product. Pay attention to your personal presentation, know your strengths and make sure you have spent some time researching the company".