How To Do Well in a Meeting the Team Interview

When being considered for a position, you may have to complete a series of interviews. One of these interviews may include a meeting the team session. During this interview, you will have the opportunity to meet with your potential coworkers. In this article, we discuss what to expect from a meeting the team interview, as well as steps you can take to prepare.

What is a meeting the team interview?

A meeting the team interview is an interview in which you meet with your potential coworkers. This could include a formal or informal meeting with other employees in the office or even your own team members. The hiring manager may schedule this type of meeting to measure certain skills, while also determining how well a potential candidate works with the current team.

Whereas traditional interviews tend to focus on the skills and experience of potential candidates, meeting the team interviews are designed more to measure the candidate's teamwork and collaboration skills. Meeting the team interviews can be the final step in the hiring process, or they can be used as a way to narrow down qualified candidates.

The hiring manager will usually meet with the team members following the interview and request feedback about potential candidates. This information and feedback may then be used in their hiring decision.

Related: How to Win the Interview

Why do employers use meeting the team interviews?

Employers use meeting the team interviews because it gives them, as well as their team, the opportunity to determine how well a potential candidate will fit in with the rest of the team. It gives both the team that the candidate will be working with if hired, as well as the candidate themselves, the chance to evaluate the dynamics of the group.

Team interviews can also be used to measure certain skills in candidates, including interpersonal and communication skills, as well as teamwork. Meeting the team interviews are especially useful in industries or organizations in which teamwork is crucial for success, like IT or creative agencies. A meeting the team interview can also help a hiring manager measure a potential candidate's ability to sell themselves in a high-pressure environment, a desirable skill in sales.

This type of interview also benefits potential candidates, because it gives you the chance to meet the people you may be hired to work with.

Learn more: 20 Questions to Ask Your Interviewer During Your Next Sales Interview

How to handle a meeting the team interview

If you are scheduled for a meeting the team interview, you can prepare with the following steps:

1. Research the company

It is always a good idea to research a company before attending an interview. While you might have already looked into the company before your initial interview, it can be helpful to learn additional details about other teams and departments that may be involved in the team interview. Further your research to better understand how each department contributes to the overall goals of the company.

2. Consider the structure of the interview

Meeting the team interviews can be structured differently, depending on the organization. Finding out the structure of the interview ahead of time can help you prepare. This can help you practice your responses, as well as come up with a list of relevant questions. Find out who you will meet with, including what team or department they work with. It can also be helpful to find out if it is a formal or informal team interview.

A panel interview is an interview in which there are multiple interviewers who meet with and interview the candidate at the same time. This panel is usually made up of people like the hiring manager, the position's direct supervisor and in some cases, team members. A panel interview may also include other potential candidates, depending on the structure.

In an informal interview, the hiring manager may have the potential candidates move from office to office for a quick, informal meeting with each team member. An informal meet and greet could also be scheduled. In this type of meeting, multiple candidates may be present. It is up to you to greet and communicate with different team members. Some hiring managers may also assign a test assignment to get a better idea of how each candidate works with the team.

Learn more: Types of Interview Formats and Styles

3. Practice potential interview questions

Practicing your responses ahead of time to commonly asked questions can also help you prepare for a meeting the team interview. You can review a list of the top questions that may be a part of your interview. Consider what team members will attend the interview and the types of questions they may ask. For example, a team leader may be more focused on your teamwork skills, whereas a coworker may ask more questions related to your specific skills and experience.

Learn more: 5 Group Interview Activities (With Question Ideas and Examples)

4. Practice in a group setting

Interviewing in a team, or group setting can take some getting used to. It can be helpful to also practice in a group setting with friends or family members. Be sure to divide your time equally and answer each person's questions. The purpose of a meeting the team interview is usually to determine how you will fit in with the rest of the team.

Focus on demonstrating your teamwork skills, including respect, attention-to-detail and verbal and nonverbal communication. Take time to listen to each team member and understand their questions.

5. Prepare a list of questions you want to ask

Asking questions at the end of the interview not only gives you the chance to learn more about the position and the team that you could be working with, but it also demonstrates your interest in the position. Prepare your list of questions ahead of time.

You might ask a mix of questions related to the position, as well as the culture of the company. You can learn more about the day-to-day of each team member to evaluate if you will be a good fit. You might also ask team members what they like most, and least, about the company.

6. Thank the team and follow up after the interview

Always end the interview by thanking the team for their time. A follow-up thank you letter to the hiring manager can further demonstrate your interest in the position while highlighting a few key points you want them to remember when considering each candidate. If you have the contact information of team members, you might also send them a thank you follow-up via email.