In this guide
Interviews and salary conversations
How to stand out in a group interview
What happens when several candidates are interviewed together, what assessors watch for in introductions and team tasks, and how to contribute well.
Where group interviews are used
Group interviews are common when an employer hires many people for similar roles at once: shops before busy seasons, hotels and restaurants, call centres, events and some apprenticeships. A typical session lasts one to two hours and mixes a short talk about the company, an introductions round, a team task and sometimes short individual conversations.
The introductions round
You may be asked to introduce yourself, or the person next to you, in under a minute. Keep it simple: your name, what you do now, one thing that connects you to the role.
Illustrative example
A thirty-second introduction for a hotel front-of-house role
After
“I'm Daniel. I've worked weekends at a garden centre café for two years, mostly on the till and dealing with customers at busy times. I've applied because I'd like a role where looking after guests is the whole job, not just part of it.”
Listen to the others' introductions too. Remembering a name and using it later in the task is noticed.
Team tasks: what assessors watch
| Scores well | Scores badly |
|---|---|
| Suggesting an idea early, then listening | Saying nothing until the end |
| “Building on what Priya said…” | Repeating your own idea louder |
| Asking a quiet person what they think | Talking over others |
| Keeping an eye on time | Letting the group run out of time |
| Summarising where the group has got to | Arguing over small details |
You do not need to be the leader. Useful roles include timekeeper, note-taker or the person who checks the task brief has been answered. Choose one that suits you and do it well.
Before and after the formal parts
Small things that count
- Arrive a little early and talk to other candidates while you wait.
- Be polite to everyone, including the person on reception.
- Put your phone away for the whole session.
- If there is a chance to ask a question at the end, ask one about the role or training.
Common questions
Am I competing with the other people in the group?
Often the employer is hiring several people, so you are being assessed against what they need, not ranked within your group. Helping others is usually an advantage.
What if I'm naturally quiet?
Aim for two or three well-timed contributions and one moment of bringing someone else in. Quality is noticed more than volume.
Put it into practice
Prepare with interview practiceDrafted with AI assistance and checked against Luceria’s editorial standards. Examples are illustrative, not real people’s results. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.