Job Description
There was this one time when I found myself in a tricky situation with one of my candidates for a role we were recruiting for. It happened that one of the candidates was someone I knew too well and they knew me too.
Well, I was confident on their behalf because I knew they were good at what they do, and when shortlisting, she had what it took for that role. But the moment she walked into that room for the interview, everything changed.
It was a panel interview and of course she knew that I used to work there, but she didn’t expect me to be in that room with her.
Well unfortunately for my friend, she didn’t eventually get the job. Why? I know many would expect her to have it easy, but that wasn’t the case.
The moment she sat down, she became too comfortable. The professionalism slowly disappeared and she started responding casually, almost like we were catching up over lunch instead of being in an interview room.
That interview taught me that knowing the hiring manager can either help your confidence or completely ruin your professionalism.
And surprisingly, many candidates don’t know how to balance the two.
1. Don’t Walk In Too Comfortable
This is the biggest mistake people make. The moment you realize you know someone in the panel, you relax a little too much. Your posture changes, tone changes and in some cases even your language changes.
Always remember that an interview is still professional, regardless of who is in the room. The hiring manager may know you personally, but during that interview, they are evaluating you as a candidate, not as a friend, former colleague, cousin, classmate, or acquaintance.
Treat the interview with the same seriousness you would give strangers.
2. Don’t Focus Only On the Person You Know
To many candidates, the moment they see someone familiar in the panel, all their attention shifts there. They maintain eye contact mostly with that one person, direct most answers to them, laugh more with them, and almost forget the rest of the panel exists.
And trust me, the other interviewers notice it immediately. A panel interview means everyone in that room matters. Even if one person knows you well, you still need to treat them with equal attention and professionalism.
When you focus too much on the familiar face, it can come across as favoritism, nervousness, or lack of confidence with the rest of the panel.
3. Avoid Inside Jokes or Over-Familiar Conversations
Some candidates unknowingly turn interviews into casual conversations. They start saying things like, “You already know how I work.”
And immediately, it creates discomfort for the rest of the panel. Why? Because now it looks like favoritism may be involved.
A good hiring manager will actually become more careful when interviewing someone they know, just to avoid appearing biased.
4. Don’t Assume You Already Have the Job
Just because someone in the company knows you does not mean the interview is a formality. In fact, sometimes people you know expect more from you because they already understand your potential.
That’s why you should still prepare properly. It’s good to have the confidence but you shouldn’t be entitled.
5. Let Your Skills Speak For You
The best thing you can do in that room is to make the panel forget you know someone there. When your answers are sharp, your confidence is balanced, and your professionalism is visible, people focus on your capability, not your connections.
That’s what truly leaves a lasting impression.
6. Handle Rejection Maturely
A few days later, she reached out to me asking for feedback. She was genuinely confused because in her mind, knowing someone in the panel should have made things easier. And that’s when I explained it to her honestly.
I told her the issue was never her qualifications. She actually had the skills and experience needed for the role. The problem was how she handled herself in the room.
She became too relaxed, focused too much on the familiar face in the panel, and forgot that the interview was still professional. Unfortunately, the rest of the panel picked that up very quickly.
That conversation opened her eyes. And my advice to her was simple: “You need proper interview coaching.”
Because interviews require a certain level of professionalism, awareness, communication, and confidence that many candidates underestimate.
Sometimes, knowing the hiring manager actually puts you under more pressure. People expect you to perform better. The panel watches your professionalism more closely. And any small mistake becomes more noticeable. That’s why how you carry yourself matters so much.
If you struggle answering questions professionally, handling panel interviews, or presenting yourself the right way during interviews, then it’s time to prepare properly. Book an interview coaching session with us today.
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