I am in the process of preparing to submit a board package to go from an enlisted Sailor to an Officer. As part of the process there is an interview appraisal process. The interviews can be completed individually by 3-4 officers, but are often completed simultaneously by a board instead. Does anyone have any advice on how best to prepare for an interview with multiple interviewers?
I have some time until I have to schedule the interview, but this will be the most important step in my naval career to date, and don't want to leave anything to chance. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
Podcast
There is a podcast about this. Search for something like "multiple interviewers" or something like that it's been a while since I listened to it.
Interviews? Speak from the heart
I'll start with a disclaimer here that I'm not in the military so please pardon any inappropriate assumptions or suggestions on my part!
My interview preparation would be more or less the same for one interviewer as it would be for a hundred. In an interview you could be asked any question, so it doesn't matter who is asking. You need to know what makes you different, your strengths, what you can bring that others can't, your motivation and why you want the role, why you think you fit, and most importantly your principles. I think too many people rehearse answers to the questions they expect and get caught out when they lose their place, or get hit with a question they did not expect. I think the only preparation you should be doing is getting your facts and figures straight (achievements and hard data to back them up, where possible). Everything else, questions on behaviours, motivations, reacting to situational questions, should all come from the heart and be based on your principles. This will make questions much easier to answer, and has got me every role I've applied for since I left university 12 years ago.
The key difference is WHO is in the room with you. If you know then you should be able to figure out what it is they are looking for. This should not change the principles above, or your answers, but when answering the questions do consider the different angles and priorities that the different interviewers will have. If there are more senior people in the room show that you understand that you are part of a whole. It's also a good opportunity to ask questions of the other interviewers, so use it as an opportunity to look ahead, or more strategically, at the direction and future of the role.
Hope this helps!
Jonno.