A few years ago, I went on a group interview in Los Angeles for Southwest Airlines for a Ticket/Gate Agent position. They had three interviewers and about 12 of us who were candidates. The interviewers gave an overview of the airline, talked about the job itself, showed us a video presentation and asked us questions.
The way they "interviewed" us was by posing a question to the entire group and then having everyone go around and give their response. For example, we were asked, "Tell us, why do you want to work for an airline?" Then, in turn, each person would answer. We were sat around a room and I just happened to be in the "middle". That was cool because, no matter which end of the room they started on, I never had to answer first. Other questions were things like, "Let's go around the room and I want each of you to tell us about your previous work experience with customer service - and describe a time when you demonstrated excellent customer service."
I think group interviews are kind of interesting. In the case of Southwest Airlines, it was very easy to identify which people out of the group would get a second interview. Some people gave awful answers and some gave great answers. I kind of liked seeing how my chances panned out.
At the end of the group interview, the three interviewers called us into a private room one at a time so we could hand in our forms and ask any questions that we didn't want to ask in the group. I thought that was a helpful touch.
However, Xylochick216 is right, you do have to find a way to stand out without looking like you're trying to steamroll the other candidates. I found that always being clear, upbeat and postive works great. Start out answering your question by looking at your interviewer(s), then pan around to the other candidates, and then finish the last part of your answer looking back at the interviewer.
If you sound like a brown noser, it will be obvious. I did a group interview with Cirque du Soleil to be on the VIP/Tapis Rouge team for the Varekai show. There were very few openings in the department and, during the interview, I felt like the other two guys in my group interview were trying to make it a competition. One guy in particular really seemed to be pressing the sale for himself. I countered by saying things like, "I agree with Jim Bob here, customers expect to see high quality service at Cirque du Soleil shows. I recall a time when I had a customer......" That way I got to show that I know my stuff too, but was doing it in a way which didn't make it sound like I was trying to one-up Jim Bob.
If you make eye contact, sound enthusiastic about your answer, and actually make sense in your answers (lol) you'll definitely stand out.
Good luck!
.....Kelly
PS - I ended up not working for Southwest Airlines. I had applied for a part-time job at John Wayne Airport and they called me in to interview for a full-time job at Los Angeles (but didn't tell me it was full-time until I got there). At the end of my interview, I told my interviewers I wished to withdraw my application as the expectations for full-time staff would conflict with my college studies. They looked deflated - I think they liked me. As for Cirque du Soleil, I got one of the jobs....the other two guys didn't.
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