I have two interviews tomorrow, and am extremely nervous for both. One of them is at a local cafe and the other is at the alumni’s house. I would like some tips of how I can be less nervous when I talk to the interviewers and also have a few other questions:
-Is it okay if I wear dark wash jeans and a nice shirt to both interviews, or do I have to wear a skirt or dress? Both of the interviews are in a cafe and the person’s house so I feel like it would look strange to dress up but let me know what you think
-For the cafe interview, would it be good to arrive early and buy myself my drink before my interviewer arrives?
-Can I have some ideas for some questions I could ask to the interviewers at the end?
You might want to state from the outset that you’re a little bit nervous. Chances are, they will want to put you at your ease.
Wear clothing that is comfortable for you, as long as it is tasteful.
Questions - well, what do you want to know that you haven’t been able to discover on the website? Start there.
Good luck!!!
@mamaedefamilia but my interview is an older man, so times have changed and maybe he won’t be able to answer that many questions if they’re that specific. shouldn’t i tailor my questions to be more relevant to his experience?
Wear something presentable and conservative. Doesn’t have to be a skirt or dress. For the cafe interview, I would go 15 minutes early and buy a drink. Some questions you might want to ask include the social scene, questions about the interviewer’s time at that school, things that the interviewer liked about the school, things he didn’t like, etc
I’d ask questions about the interviewer’s experiences at school and what they’ve done professionally since then. Many people love to talk about themselves, plus it’s always interesting to hear about how going to X college helped them later in life. My MIT interviewer talked for a good 10 minutes straight when I asked him about his occupation. It was really interesting to hear how his degree helped him, plus I didn’t have to talk for 10 minutes 
I’m really shy too, but I’ve gotten through 4 interviews now(!) My advice would be just to breathe. My mentality is that unless you outright insult the interviewer, it can only help your case for acceptance. Once the interview is over, you’ll never see them again so you just have to get through the next however many minutes.
Good Luck!
Notice the neighborhood as you drive to the house, so you can comment on the beautiful older trees or the architectural style of the homes. Inside the person’s home, look for something on display, whether it is a collection of art prints or gathering of old family photos in the hallway. Ask a question of your host about the items so that they can carry some of the conversation.
For the person in the cafe, practice saying an opening sentence that includes thanking them for meeting you and make some comment that is either a compliment of that particular cafe, how much you enjoy coffee/tea, or something about the neighborhood/area the coffee shop is located in.
For either interview, weather is always an easy topic of conversation. “We got 6 inches of snow last week, did you see much snow in your neighborhood?” Ask how they ended up attending X college. That is called an open-ended question, and it is more likely to have a longer response. If you just ask “did you enjoy your time at X college?” they might just say “yes” and stare back at you. You should have 2 or 3 meaningful questions ready to ask each interviewer.
Do not use words like “X is my dream school” in any interview. But do be prepared for the question “Why do you want to attend X college?” Have some concrete words, or describe the experiences you had that drew you into the academic field you want to pursue at X college. If you have visited X college, mention some specific things you saw on your visit that appealed to you. If you are asked a question that you don’t have an immediate answer to, try take a sip of your drink and give yourself a chance to think.
General Interview Tips…Turn off your cell phone before you get out of the car, and keep the phone completely out of sight. Try to smile and make eye contact. Shake hands and thank them for their time at the end of the interview.
Good luck to you!
For the older interviewer, how about “what attracted you to this school when you were applying and what do you see as the main changes, if any, since then?” If he serves as an alumni interviewer, chances are he has kept up with what is happening at the school.
And good luck! You’ll do fine. Getting started is the hardest part.