Open interviews in psychology: How to excel among many candidates

As a psychology graduate or new professional, you might encounter open interviews when seeking roles in the field. While these group-based assessments can appear daunting initially, they present a chance to display your abilities and potential with the right approach.

This article will provide strategies to help you perform well in open interviews, enabling you to distinguish yourself from other applicants and create a strong impression on potential employers.

What are open interviews and why?

Open interviews, also known as group interviews or assessment days, are becoming more common in the psychology sector. Unlike one-on-one interviews, it involves assessing multiple candidates at the same time and often includes group tasks, presentations and networking opportunities.

They also allow you to:

• Show a wider skill set

The interview style allows you to show a broader skill set beyond just technical knowledge, such as teamwork, problem solving, communication and leadership. In addition, many of the exercises involves imitation real-world situations that allow you to display your skills.

• Get a deeper understanding of the role and organisation

Participants at group interviews typically get to interact with potential colleagues and representatives of the organisation who can offer insight into existing culture and values, and you can gain a clearer understanding of the job expectations and responsibilities.

• Have an improved interviewing experience

Because it includes more activities – which are typically hands-on – and have more people involvement, the interview style is usually more interactive and engaging than traditional one-to-one interviews.

Creating an effective self-presentation

Open interviews involve different activities, which usually includes introducing yourself to the interviewers and other candidates. To stand out, clearly and briefly expressing your experiences and goals is important. Here are some suggestions:

1. Develop a brief self-introduction: Create a 30-60 second overview of your background, skills and career objectives. Practice until your pitch sounds natural and you feel confident.

2. Emphasise relevant experience: Talk about any psychology work experience, internships or assistant roles you've had.

3. Share your unique qualities: Consider what makes you different from other candidates – maybe you've done independent research, volunteered in a related area or developed special skills.

Effective networking

Part of the idea behind open interviews is to see how well candidates interact and communicate with others and so they often include networking sessions. These allow you to show your interpersonal skills and genuine interest in the field. Consider these approaches:

1. Research attendees: If possible, learn who will be present, familiarise yourself with their work or recent publications and prepare thoughtful questions for key individuals.

2. Have meaningful conversations: Show interest in others' work and experiences. Building rapport quickly is highly valued in many psychology roles.

3. Follow up: After the event, connect with people you've met on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn.

4. Stay informed: Keep current with psychology issues. The BPS publishes regular blog posts as well as publications such as The Psychologist, which can help you stay updated about developments in the field.

Showing relevant experience

Even as an undergraduate or recent graduate, you likely have valuable experience to share.

Consider:

1. Academic projects: Discuss any relevant research or dissertations you've completed. If you've presented at conferences or published papers, highlight these achievements.

2. Volunteer work: Many psychology skills can be developed through volunteer roles. The NHS Volunteer Responders programme offers opportunities to gain experience in supporting mental health. The BPS also offers volunteering opportunities and provides a list of organisations that offer opportunities that can improve your CV.

3. Internships and assistant positions: Mention any psychology assistant jobs or internships you've had. These roles show your practical understanding of the field, and you can find some of these roles on the BPS jobs page.

4. Transferable skills: Recognise the value of skills gained from part-time jobs or extracurricular activities. Problem-solving, communication and teamwork are all relevant to psychology roles.

5. Professional development: Show your commitment to growth by mentioning any extra courses, events or workshops you've attended or participated in. The BPS offers many CPD opportunities, events and workshops that can enhance your profile.

Handling group activities

With many people being assessed together, you may be involved in group tasks or discussions.

Here's how to perform well:

1. Participate actively: Share ideas and encourage others to contribute.

2. Show leadership: Take initiative when appropriate but avoid dominating the conversation.

3. Demonstrate collaboration: Psychology often involves teamwork. Show your skills in this area during group activities.

4. Remain composed under pressure: Open interviews can be stressful, and employers look for candidates who can stay calm in challenging situations. Consider using psychological techniques like mindfulness to manage stress.

5. Use psychological knowledge: When appropriate, show your understanding of psychological concepts in group discussions. This could include mentioning relevant theories or research findings.

Preparing for specific psychology roles

Different psychology roles may focus on different skills during open interviews. For example, in Clinical Psychology roles, be ready to discuss your understanding of various therapeutic approaches and your experience with diverse client groups. For Educational Psychology, you can highlight your knowledge of child development and educational systems, and show your understanding of workplace dynamics and organisational behaviour for Occupational Psychology roles.

The BPS provides insights on current practices in these fields as well as and publications and careers guides to help you improve your understanding. You can find resources on the Division of Clinical Psychology, Division of Educational and Child Psychology and Division of Occupational Psychology pages.

Although open interviews present a unique challenge, they also allow you to showcase your skills and potential as a psychology professional. By preparing well, engaging effectively with others, and highlighting your relevant experiences, you can stand out and progress toward starting your psychology career.

The key to success in open interviews is being genuine, engaged and prepared – the BPS provides many resources to support your career development, from interview preparation tips to ongoing professional development opportunities. These strategies will help you navigate the open interview process confidently. And as you set out on your psychology career, you may also want to consider becoming a BPS member to access exclusive resources, networking opportunities and stay current with psychological practice and research in the UK.