Your 12-Week Pathway To Jobs Expo Galway Success: Week 10 – Acing Different Interview Formats – From Panel to Virtual Meetings

So far in our 12-Week Pathway to Jobs Expo Galway Success series, we’ve explored every stage of career readiness, from polishing your CV and tailoring applications, to mastering networking, building confidence, and preparing for interviews. Each step has been designed to equip you with practical strategies and insider tips that will give you a real edge when meeting employers at Jobs Expo Galway, which is taking place on on Saturday, 13th September (10am-4pm). This careers fair will be sponsored by Recruit.ie and will feature hundreds of active job opportunities. Jobs Expo is the only careers exhibition of its type to feature FREE ADMISSION.

Now, in Week 10, it’s time to focus on one of the most crucial elements of the journey: acing different interview formats.

Interviews today are not one-size-fits-all. Depending on the role and employer, candidates may face a panel of interviewers, a structured competency-based session, a virtual meeting, or even a full assessment centre with group exercises and presentations. The good news? With the right preparation, you can shine in every setting.

1. Panel Interviews – Show Confidence and Balance
Facing multiple interviewers at once can feel daunting. The key is to engage with everyone in the room, not just the person asking the question. Make eye contact with each panel member, listen carefully, and structure your answers clearly. Be prepared for follow-up questions from different angles and use evidence-based examples to show your adaptability and professionalism.

2. Virtual Interviews – Master the Digital First Impression
Remote interviews are now a standard part of the hiring process. To stand out, check your technology in advance, ensure good lighting, and remove background distractions. Speak clearly, maintain good posture, and look into the camera to simulate eye contact. Remember: your professionalism and enthusiasm need to come across as strongly online as they would in person.

3. Behavioural and Competency-Based Questions – STAR Power
Employers often use behavioural questions (“Tell me about a time when…”) to assess how you’ve handled situations in the past. Use the STAR method – Situation, Task, Action, Result – to structure your answers. This keeps your responses concise, focused, and results-driven. Prepare a bank of examples that showcase problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability.

4. Assessment Centres – Collaboration Counts
Assessment centres often include group activities, case studies, and presentations. Employers aren’t just looking at your performance, but also how you collaborate, listen, and contribute to a team. Be proactive without dominating, respectful while assertive, and always demonstrate professionalism. Balance is key. Show leadership when appropriate, but also highlight your ability to work well with others.

Mindset Matters
Whatever the format, approach each interview with confidence, curiosity, and resilience. Remember: interviews are not just about proving yourself, they’re also about assessing whether the organisation is the right fit for you. With preparation and adaptability, you’ll turn every interview format into an opportunity to shine.