Group interviews are held for several reasons -- sometimes it's simply an issue of coordinating schedules while in other instances it may be to evaluate how an applicant handles different interview styles or challenging situations.

Group interviews can seem intimidating because there are more people to impress. However, there are benefits to you as a job seeker. This type of meeting can be a valuable opportunity to speak with and learn more about a firm's management-staff. The arrangement will also allow you to demonstrate your communication skills, an increasingly important attribute for today's accountant.

Your objective in this meeting is no different than in a typical one-on-one interview: to communicate your qualifications and enthusiasm for the job. Before the interview, write down the key points you'd like to make regarding your accomplishments, skills and interests.

Throughout the interview, try to get a sense of each person's personality and objectives. Don't make the mistake of thinking that the entire group has the same agenda. Each member of the panel may be looking for something different. Try to assess individual concerns and address them.

Be sure to make eye contact with each participant in the course of discussion, and refer to the members by name when possible. It's also important that you try to determine who is the senior decision-maker in the group. This is not necessarily the most vocal person. Don't discount anyone, even if someone is there to simply observe the interview.

Group interviews often serve the same purposes as traditional one-on-one interviews. If you take the same positive, professional approach you would with other interviews you'll maximize your chances of making the right impression during these meetings.