I had a panel interview recently for a comms position. I felt like it went well, it lasted slightly over an hour and I was getting good vibes from 3/4 panelists. One really seems sold on me and I got good vibes from the other two.
There was a fourth that was difficult to read. I felt I clearly had some weaknesses as I'm more of a digital strategist than a PR professional. I received a compliment on my writing assessment and one person commented that I was very similar to the senior communications person I would be working under. Near the end of the interview I asked if having more PR experience was a deal-breaker and the person who would be my direct supervisor assured me that it was ok, that she was self-taught in comms and there would be an orientation to help familiarize me with the org's PR strategies and templates.
The panelist I couldn't get a read on is also in communications. She didn't seem as impressed as the other panelists and barely offered any feedback on my writing assessment. She threw a lot of curveball questions at me, I answered the best I could and admitted when I wasn't as familiar with something. I think I saved it a bit by mentioning the relationships I maintained with media-based sponsors/donors in a previous position and media based projects I worked on in collaboration with organizational partners. At the end of the interview, the person who would be my supervisor announced that it was ok for staff to leave and attend other meetings while I asked questions. The person I couldn't read abruptly left without saying anything.
The general vibe was warm and friendly with lots of smiles.
I got a timeline on when I would be hearing back "one way or another" and potential next steps would be meeting with the executive director and president.
I sent a follow up email thanking everyone for their time and sent additional materials and work examples of things I talked about in my interview or materials related to questions I struggled with.
I'm nervous about some of the reactions and I'm not entirely sure how to read how I did. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. I'll know for sure if I made it in the next day or two.