For the Job Seeker, there are often good and bad surprises. Surprises fluster the ill-prepared job seeker but open doors for the prepared seeker. The panel interview, a job interview with more than one interviewer, poses special challenges. You must prepare for the dynamics of the panel as a whole, as well as the individual issues of each panel member. Let us see how this can be done. 

Most every job involves some type of planning. The less experience a person has, the more he or she should plan and practice. Practice involves thinking or visualization, and doing i.e. vocalization. Visualize situations where you were put on the spot in front of a group where you knew absolutely no one, and everybody else there knew each other and wanted to know and judge you. How about the first time you met (or will meet) your in-laws to be at a formal dinner? Would you feel nervous? That would depend on a number of factors, wouldn't it?

How would you answer the first question, with the entire family looking on and listening? This challenge is analogous to a panel job interview. You seem to answer the entire group when you answer the question of one person. Would you answer differently if the same first question were asked by the same person in a one-to-one interview? Now other people watch you. 

We are talking about a different type of preparation here, emotional and behavioral preparation. We are preparing your attitude and actions, in concert with the content of your responses. Here are certain invaluable techniques that help with such a challenge:

Immediately, when you sit down get the name of each interviewer down on paper, ergonomically, in a way that shows exactly who is where. They all have one name to remember, yours. You have two, three, four or five names to deal with, theirs. Knowing the name of each interviewer is a great advantage. Knowing their titles within an organization is an enormous one. Use the name of each person once, when you shake hands at the end of the interview:

"Thank you,  Mr. Kapoor, Sir,  for your time."
"Mrs. D’Souza. Nice meeting you, Madam" 

Use the automatic sprinkler technique when answering questions. Start the answer to each question through eye contact and response with the person that asks the question. Like a sprinkler, rotate in a progressive way to "meet eyes" with each interviewer consecutively, before "rotating" to the next person. Start and finish your answer with the person that asked the question. 

Sell Yourself, Smile a lot. Show enthusiasm. This goes for most any first meeting, right?

Anticipate the issues and agendas of each interviewer, based on his or her position within the company. Ask questions that involve positive answers by all parties. Ask questions that create positive consensus. Ask questions that challenge the imagination of each person.

How do you deal with the one member of the panel that wants to put you on the spot, test you or challenge your credentials? This person just got pulled from an important meeting, just saw your resume, and, feels threatened by the fact that you have more education, and less experience. With everybody watching, he asks:

"How can you provide specifications and negotiate prices with vendors when you've never dealt with our lines of tools before?"

The room falls silent. The panel awaits your answer. Never mind the fact that it is a minor part of the job, you have to answer the question.

For the prepared interviewer, this is an opportunity.

Use the sandwich technique:

Bread on the bottom. Meet eyes respectfully with your accuser. "Certainly there is a lot to learn and know with your complex tool lines. Particularly pricing on timing differentials, gears, and bulk purchase agreements."

Vegetable in the middle. "Wouldn't it help if a person had experience negotiating prices for tools, performing specs and negotiating with vendors that carry similar product lines. (Introduce a new spin). In fact, I may be able to source vendors from my previous position that offer lower prices on some of your key components."

Bread on top (Close off the sandwich): Eye contact with your accuser: "Nonetheless, your point is well taken. Knowing pricing on tool components is critical. You must negotiate from strength, and, with your guidance (smile at your accuser), I will be up to speed in short order."

The sandwich technique works well in many confrontational situations where you want to win points, without alienating your accuser.