Interview preparation
Plan questions for a panel interview
List each panelist with whatever the invitation or their own profile says they do, then write one question for each that fits that stated work. Leave space to record answers and a follow-up, and keep one general question for the full group.
A text to start with
I am interviewing for [role] with a panel. I know these people: [names, titles and any description of their responsibilities, with where I found it]. Draft one question per person based only on what is stated about their work. Add one question for the whole panel. Mark any question that depends on a guess about what someone does.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.Panel map
Interview date, time and format: [ ] Source of the panel list: [ ] Panelist 1 name: [ ] Stated role or responsibility and where I found it: [ ] My question for them: [ ] Follow-up notes: [ ] Panelist 2 name: [ ] Stated role or responsibility and where I found it: [ ] My question for them: [ ] Follow-up notes: [ ] Panelist 3 name: [ ] Stated role or responsibility and where I found it: [ ] My question for them: [ ] Follow-up notes: [ ] Question for the whole panel: [ ] Titles whose meaning I could not confirm: [ ]
Titles that mislead
A title does not reliably tell you what someone decides. Two people with the same title on different teams may have different duties. If you only know a title, ask a neutral question, or ask the recruiter what each person does in the process. Check that each name and title is worded as in the invitation or profile. Avoid questions that put a panelist on the spot about a topic outside their work. Make sure no panelist's section looks much thinner than the others.
Ask another agent to check the result
Check each question against what I wrote about that panelist. Do not infer a person's authority from a job title alone. Flag any question that assumes duties I have not sourced. Suggest a neutral wording for each flagged question.
Prepare for the room
Ask the coordinator for any panel details available before the interview. Choose which questions to ask first if time is short. Note who answers so you can attribute the information accurately in a follow-up. If the panel changes, ask new participants about their role before directing a specialized question to them.