What Do I Do While Sitting Outside the Interview Panel Room?

 

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but what you do while waiting outside the panel room can significantly impact your performance. Over time, I’ve developed a few strategies that help me stay composed and confident, ensuring I step into the room with a decent, wide smile—regardless of whether it turns out to be a grilling session or a casual conversation.

1. Engaging in Light Conversations with Fellow Candidates

If I find someone interesting to talk to, I engage in a lighthearted conversation. This small interaction helps ease any pressure I might otherwise feel before the interview. It keeps my mind from overthinking potential questions and allows me to stay relaxed.

2. Scrolling Through Informative Content

If there’s an informative article, news update, or research content available on my phone, I make sure to read it. Keeping myself engaged with relevant content not only distracts me from nervousness but can also provide a great talking point in the interview.

For instance, on the same day as one of my interviews, I read about an Ethereum theft case while waiting outside the panel room. Later, I naturally inserted it into the discussion during my interview, making it look unintentional yet insightful. That small hook led to an engaging 2-3 minute conversation, entirely driven by content I had just consumed.

My Top 3 Go-To Sources for Quick Insights:

• Nikhil Kamath's Instagram or LinkedIn posts – His posts often carry thought-provoking insights that spark curiosity.
• Inshorts App – A quick way to stay updated on current affairs without spending too much time.
• Dailyepaper Website – Perfect for catching up on important business and economic news headlines before an interview.

3. Revisiting My Key Pointers

Another effective strategy is mentally going through my key responses to basic questions like Tell Me About Yourself and Why MBA? Structuring my thoughts beforehand helps me minimize recall effort later when answering these common yet crucial questions.

I also arrange my talking points in an optimal order, ensuring that I highlight my strengths effectively without rambling or losing coherence.

4. Performing a Self-Awareness Check

Before stepping into the panel room, I take a moment to remind myself of my shortcomings. Being mentally aware of my potential pitfalls allows me to consciously avoid them during the conversation.

For example, I acknowledge that I sometimes tend to over-explain or deviate from the main point when I get excited about a topic. By reminding myself of this tendency beforehand, I can stay mindful and ensure I communicate concisely.

5. Practicing the 5-10 Second Rule

A simple yet effective rule I follow is to pause for 5-10 seconds before answering any question. Even if I am well-prepared for a particular question, I make it a point to pause and collect my thoughts before responding.

This small habit helps in multiple ways:

• It prevents me from speaking too fast due to nervousness.

• It ensures that I don’t unintentionally overlap with the panelists while they are still processing my previous answer.

• It gives me time to refine my response and ensure I am addressing the question effectively.

Although 10 seconds may sound long, in reality, training myself to take even a 5-second pause has significantly improved the clarity and confidence in my responses.

Final Thoughts

Interviews are not just about what you say inside the panel room; they are also about how you manage yourself before stepping in. Keeping your mind relaxed, staying engaged with relevant content, structuring your thoughts, and being self-aware can help create a positive and confident mindset.

Next time you’re sitting outside the panel room, try some of these techniques and observe how they impact your performance.

What are your pre-interview rituals? Drop your thoughts below!