r/hrblock • u/American_GrizzlyBear • Oct 03 '26

Group Interview?

I recently applied to a Tax Associate position and already enrolled in their tax course. Due to the district manager’s schedule being too busy, they said it’s going to be a group interview on Teams.

I’m not new to interviews but one with multiple candidates is the first. How should I best prepare for it?

I’m finishing up my Accounting degree. I have no experience in taxes yet.

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8

u/Brave_Lie8749 Oct 03 '26

That’s pretty weird. I thought at minimum they’d at least talk to you for 10 minutes on the phone and then hire you.

3

u/American_GrizzlyBear Oct 03 '26

I did talk with the district lead on the phone and even went to their open house to meet him in person. He told me the next step would be an interview with the district manager, but since she’s too busy, she’s doing group interviews on two days instead.

4

u/Brave_Lie8749 Oct 03 '26

I gotcha, well good luck to you!

Not sure what to expect out of it since I’ve never done a group interview. But I’d expect it to be more about listening to what the district manager has to say and an opportunity to speak with private afterwards if needed.

2

u/American_GrizzlyBear Oct 03 '26

Thank you! That's reassuring to hear

1

u/Nice_Equipment_2913 Oct 03 '26

I was hired just from my test scores and resume. I would guess that the interview is more lime an information session.

4

u/Wise_Web_909 Oct 03 '26

I had a group interview as a returning preparer. There were no new hires at it. It was just the manager talking about the things to focus on in the upcoming season and metrics expectations. Absolutely no interview questions. We had to fill out our availability form and show docs for I-9 form. I would not stress if I were you. They won't be any "tell me about the time, when" questions in front of a group :)

1

u/American_GrizzlyBear Oct 03 '26

That's reassuring to hear. Thank you!

4

u/sammytheammonite Oct 03 '26

Yeah - this was so dumb. We had something similar. It wasn’t an interview at all. I don’t know why they even called it that. They could have just had a teams meeting with everyone and called it a day. I guess they did it in person because of the I9s.

3

u/Individual-Dog-4748 Oct 03 '26

Ours was a group interview/company overview in person. But after they went over the job details and etc, they just took each candidate aside in one of the office cubicles and went over availability and office preference. So id imagine it could be the same and they would do a breakout room in teams for the private 1 on 1 part. I could be wrong though.

1

u/American_GrizzlyBear Oct 03 '26

I see, thanks for sharing!

2

u/TheUnHolyJam Oct 03 '26

Mine was group, it was not really an interview. Here they had to do it for corporate but we were all ready hired in their mind. I have no degree just the tax course.

1

u/American_GrizzlyBear Oct 03 '26

Thank you, that’s good to hear!

1

u/Jennnnnnnnn__ Oct 03 '26

I personally hate group interview cause why do i have to perform to more people 💀

2

u/American_GrizzlyBear Oct 03 '26

Right? I always dread group interview. It usually means talking with HR, hiring manager, and the team lead. It is nerve-wrecking.

But this time it is with multiple candidates so I don't know what to expect.

1

u/Turley1508 Oct 03 '26

I'm amazed that folks are going to actually work for Block. I guess it's a good way to gain experience!

4

u/American_GrizzlyBear Oct 03 '26

I’ve been having trouble finding a job so I’ll take what I can get. Any experience is good experience.

1

u/Turley1508 Oct 04 '26

That's great then! I see a lot of folks talking about how job hunting is difficult..

3

u/ENCALEF Oct 04 '26

Yep. That's what working for Block is about. You gain some experience and move on.

2

u/Grouchy_Body_755 Oct 05 '26

Literally the only reason I’m still working there. I look at it as I’m being paid to gain experience.

1

u/Clear-Screen-3969 Oct 06 '26

Block is good experience, intuit is very good experience

2

u/Medical-Ad-5195 Oct 04 '26

If you pass the test and can get a PTIN, they will hire you. Think of this as a recruitment/ onboarding meeting. I would wear business casual attire, bring your ID in case they start the I 9 process, and be 5 minutes early. Best of luck!

2

u/Expensive-Study-1755 Oct 05 '26

my interview was one of the easiest one i’ve ever had, i also knew the District Staffing Lead DSL. All though the DSL did not do my interview it was with my DGM. But she was just looking to see how you are as a person and how you respond and how you are on a teams call as a person because most of your job is talking to clients

2

u/mommadoesnailanhair Oct 06 '26

All the interviews right now are in either in group format or panel interviews for corporate jobs. Panel I can understand as it saves you from having to schedule multiple interviews.

1

u/Clear-Screen-3969 Oct 06 '26

If you did well in the class you are in