How to Ace Group and Panel Interviews in Healthcare

Group and panel interviews can feel intimidating, especially in healthcare where expectaions around professionalism, communication and values are high. 

Instead of one conversation, you may be facing multiple interviews, competing candidates, or both. It is not suprising many healthcare professionals find this format more challenging than a traditional one-to-one interview. 

The good news? With the right operations and mindset, group and panel interviwes can become an opportunity to stand out for all the right reasons. 

Here is how to approach them with confidence and clarity. 

 

1. Undersand Why Employers Use Group and Panel Interviews 

Healthcare organisations rarely choose these formats at random. They are designed to assess more than just technical expertise. 

Employers are often looking for:

• Communication and listening skills 
• Teamwork and collaboration 
• Leadership potential 
• Emotional intelligence 
• How you perform under pressure 

Panel interviews help reduce bias and ensure fair decision-making, while group interviews allow employers to observe how candidates interact with others. 

Reframing the format as an assessment of strengths, rather than a test to survive, can help nerves. 

 

2. Prepare as Thoroughly as You Would for Any Interview 

The fundamentals still apply. 

Beofre the interview:

• Research the organisation's values, services and patient population
• Understand the role and how it fits into the wider team 
• Prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
• Review your CV and be ready to discuss it confidently 

In panel interviews, questions may come from different angles, clinical operational and values based. Preparation helps you stay grounded regardless of who is asking. 

 

3. Communicate Clearly and Include Everyone

In panel interviews, it is natural to focus on the person asking the question. However, strong candidates engage the whole room. 

What to do: 

• Before your answer by acknowledging the questioner
• Make eye contact with other panel members as you speak 
• Keep your responses structured and concise 

In group interviews, listening matters just as much as speaking. Avoid interupting and build on others' contributions where appropriate. Collaboration is often more impressive than dominance. 

 

4. Show How You Work with Others, Not Against Them 

In group exercises or discussions, recruiters are not looking for the loudest voice. 

They are observing: 

• Respectful communication 
• Ability to encourage quieter participants 
• Willingness to compromise 
• Focus on patient outcomes and shared goals

Simple actions make a big difference: 

• Acknowledge others' ideas 
• Ask clarifying questions 
• Help steer the discussion if it loses focus 

Healthcare is inherently collaborative. Demonstrating that you can work well with others is often more valuable than showcasing individual brilliance. 

 

5. Bring Values and Patient-Centred Thinking into Your Answers 

Technical skills can be taught. Values are harder to develop. 

Employers want to see: 

• Compassion and empathy 
• Ethical decision-making 
• Awareness of patient safety and quality of care 
• Alignement with organisational values 

Where possible, link your answers back to patient outcomes, service improvement or team wellbeing. This singals that you understand the bigger picture of healthcare delivery. 

 

6. Manage Nerves Without Letting Them Take Over 

Feeling Nervous is completely normal, especially in a room full of observers or peers. 

Helpful strategies include: 

• Slowing your breathing before you speak 
• Pausing briefly to gather your thoughts 
• Asking for clarrification if a question is unclear 

Remember, panel members expect nerves. What matters more is how you respond and recover, not whether you appear perfectly polished. 

 

7. Ask Thoughtful Questions at the End 

The questions you ask can leave a lasting impression. 

Consider asking about: 

• Team culture and support 
• Training and development opportunities 
• How success is measured in the role 
• Challenges the team is currently facing 

Avoid questions that can easily be answered by the website. Show curiosity and genuine interest in contributing to the organisation. 

 

Final Thought 

Group and panel interviews are not designed to catch you out. They are a way for healthcare employers to understand how you think, communicate and collaborate in real-world scenarios. 

Prepare well, stay authentic and remember that your experience, perspective and values are exactly what the panel wants to see. 

If you are navigating the healthcare hiring process and want honest advice, insight and support, contact our specialist recruiters at Stroud Resourcing or simply call us on 01904 239910.

 

 

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