<p>Hi, I was hoping I could get some help on my interview skill (or lack, thereof). I have been invited into a program that is quite selective, and I am quite afraid of the interviews that I will have to do. This is a description of parts of the 4 day event:
"in an interview with faculty, alums and current scholars; over meals with faculty; and in late-night chats with current students... opportunity to attend classes, dine and talk with current scholars and faculty, become acquainted with the campus, get to know the program through the always festive "Bonanza" as well as an engaging Ideas Conference, and attend a brunch on Saturday"
How can I improve my interviewing/personal interaction/communication/anything that might be helpful abilities? Thank you so much for reading! I really appreciate your help. Good luck to other applicants/worried parents =D</p>
<p>Here’s a radical suggestion … why not just be yourself? The program heads obviously thought enough of you to offer the invitation. Is it possible THEY see more in you than YOU see in yourself?</p>
<p>The whole point of a four-day interview, I would guess, would be to see what you’re like when you’re not interviewing - how you really interact with people once you get to know them a bit. I would think that basic politeness and friendliness is all you can worry about - don’t chew with your mouth open, do talk to people, don’t hog the conversation - the same things that are always important. Also, specific to interviews, are: have questions to ask them, answer their questions succinctly and thoroughly (there’s a fine balance which I rarely achieve), and show enthusiasm and interest.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Good advice here. Think about listening more than talking.</p>
<p>Love your screen name. What are you concerned about during the four day program? What do you think your weaknesses are? If you can give us a bit more information, we may be able to offer more helpful advice.</p>
<p>Get used to saying “Hi I’m Steve, I’m here because of xyz Scholarship. What can you tell me about your college?” And don’t forget the firm handshake. Really it’s not that bad, ask questions, remember conversations are two way, while you don’t want to be a shrinking violet people like it when they get to talk. Try to think of it as an opportunity for you to get the school better and not just for them to judge you.</p>
<p>Separate yourself by the type of question you ask. Research the organization/college thoroughly so you aren’t asking basic questions and then begin your questions with the professional interviewers standard openings:</p>
<p>“Tell me about”
"What do you think/like/about
"Why is
"Do you know the history/background of </p>
<p>Avoid things that can be answered by Yes or No, such as “Are you an alum?” The response is likely to be “Yes.” and then . . . awkward silence. A better interaction comes from “what interesting things have you seen in your time here?” – that lets the other take the conversation lots of directions, whether they are student, staff, alum or somebody’s mum. </p>
<p>You’re a “kid” so you get some smiles and happy interaction if you say “I’m nervous about . . .” Everyone loves handing out advice (self included). Have fun - and if you trip and land face full in the fruit punch, at least you’ll get a good misery story out of the weekend.</p>
<p>I think if you are an introvert how you feel is probably really normal! And even if not, it might seem stressful for a young person. </p>
<p>I honestly and completely think that you may stress until you get there but after the first meet and greet, you’ll see it’s totally just enjoyable and social and not at all intimidating or ‘interview like’ at all. </p>
<p>I also strongly believe that adults, knowing you are a young person in what could be a really stressful context will totally cut you slack! If you are quiet, or a bit ‘awkward’, it will seem really appropriate to them. </p>
<p>And as others have said, really be yourself (which I know is hard to do but it’s so true). They already like who you are, they just want to get to know you better. And better to try to find a way to just be the person you are than try to come across as someone you aren’t (which just won’t work anyways).</p>
<p>You might try to think of some basics to bring with you so you feel prepared and then try to relax and go with the flow beyond that. So for example, </p>
<ol>
<li>Have a nice way to introduce yourself. </li>
<li>In general, remember good eye contact, firm hand shake, smile. Be attentive, be positive. Be inquisitive and enthusiastic. </li>
<li>Think of some typical common questions you are likely to be asked and have some ready answers (e.g. no idea of these are appropriate but suppose you think they’ll likely ask about your idea for a major or how you got interested in X, what you would like to do with your time at college, your ECs in highschool). It’s not so that you should follow a script (you should go with the flow as needed), but by preparing like this, you’ll probably go in more confident and relaxed (and have a back up if you tend toward getting tongue-tied). </li>
<li>Also very valuable to have questions going into this four days too. Some are better at thinking up questions on the fly than others are and questions can always keep the conversation moving. So what kind of general questions might you have set up for when the opportunity presents itself? Again you can go with the flow but having good ‘back up questions’ is useful. And remember, it is perfectly okay to ask different people the same questions.</li>
</ol>
<p>Get some adults to help you role play all the situations you anticipate.</p>
<p>If the scholarship program sent you a questionnaire of any sort about your interests, get an adult to ask you questions about your answers there, and be sure you are comfortable with that discussion.</p>
<p>Try and find someone to help you role play who has experience with interview situations.</p>
<p>Good Luck!! :)</p>
<p>I highly recommend practicing your handshake. Get an adult whom you trust and practice it. Sooo many people do not know how to do an appropriate handshake.</p>
<p>As suggested, try to ask open ended questions … not closed that can be answered with yes or no, or one word answers. That encourages discussion and dialogue. </p>
<p>Avoid “why” questions - they sound judgmental.</p>
<p>Most of all - be yourself - you didn’t get this far in a highly selective program -without already being terrific. Remember that - you are terrific! Just have fun.</p>
<p>^ Not to sidetrack but interesting comment about ‘why questions’. It’s intrigued me but I’m not sure its true.</p>
<p>I think asking “why did you choose this school over others?” or “why are there all blues on one side of the wall and reds on the other?” or “why does X have such a high graduation rate?” sound perfectly reasonable to my ears. To me, “why” questions asked with genuine curiosity generally reflects intelligence and inquisitiveness (and maybe a sign of critical thinking). </p>
<p>Maybe it depends on the exact questions or tone we are both imagining? Or even a regional/cultural norm thing? Feel free to correct me as I’m an academic (our whole reason for existing is to ask why), and in my neck of the woods it seems we like to be more direct and not so polite or with the same social niceties you see in other regions.</p>
<p>Probably not up for a debate on this topic, just offering some advice that “why” questions can often sound judgmental to the recipient and yes I would imagine some of it depends on the exact questions asked and the tone.</p>
<p>“Why did you choose this school over that school?” versus “Explain to me the reasons you chose this school over others?” That’s all.</p>
<p>When I’m in a new place/program/city that might become my own, my favorite question to ask others in place is, "What surprised you most (about this location, this program…)? That’s not an ice-breaker, but a little further into a conversation with someone.</p>
<p>Their answers are always candid, original and helpful. It’s a question that’s professional and personal, all at the same time. It always elicits a smile, too.</p>
<p>Just be yourself. If this is the program I think it may be (Olin), you will be with many other students in the group review that is a key part of their final admissions process. If it is another school or a scholarship interview process, I couldn’t say if you will be solo, with a small group or a larger group. In any case, take the advice alredy posted here about being who you are, not hogging conversations, avoiding yes and no questions, and so on.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you all for your help! I really appreciate it!
I am mainly concerned that I might be too introverted and just be forgotten in the midst of all the competition (the scholarship is based on leadership/community service). Also, are there anyways to improve general interviewing skills. If anyone has any further insights on these factors in particular, please share. Thank you!</p>
<p>DS found several lists of interview questions online and also made a point of reading the paper to make sure he was updated on world and community affairs. In one interview sesion, DS found that I had prepped him for 90% of the questions. Start to think through stories that you can discuss-success, failure, working with others, overcoming adversity, organizing others, lessons learned. Have a few examples ready and they will come off as natural and unrehearsed. My own DS is quite a class cloen around his peers, but can come off as a little shy to strangers.</p>
<p>Sounds like this 4-day session is as much for you to decide if you like the school as it is for them to decide to like you. Your time there should be about you and your interests and how the school fits into that picture. The best kind of interview won’t be question / answer, but a dialogue. </p>
<p>It is always helpful to have questions in mind, but be sure your questions are not something that you can find about the school online, through your research. And you don’t need an invitation to ask those querstions; it’s best if they come up naturally within your conversation instead of, “Do you have any questions?”</p>
<p>And about your worry that you’ll come off as shy or introverted: think of this experience as if you are an actor, playing a role. Step outside of yourself and see how HonorAmongSteves is coming across. This may take lots of practice, but it’ll come easier the more you do this. And finally, admit stuff like, “I haven’t interviewed often.” which may ease your nerves if you get it out in the open.</p>