Interview Tips
Before the Interview
Prepare in advance.
Consider the purpose of the interview. Review your essay(s) and presentation materials. Create mock questions you think might be asked. When formulating your answers, remember to emphasize your strengths. Frequently, you will be asked one of the following open-ended questions: “Tell me about yourself”, "Why should you receive this scholarship?" or "What have you learned from this experience ?" Be prepared Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses, your skills and talents, your ambitions, your experiences, and your values. You need to have confidence in yourself (but NEVER be over confident).
Practice your interview skills with a friend.
Review your interview skills aloud with someone and brainstorm hypothetical situations the interview may encompass. Ask your friend to count the number of times you say "like" and "you know" to make sure you aren’t overusing such filler phrases.
Organize your presentation materials.
Make sure you have everything that you need to bring with you. Practice carrying everything at once so you can make a graceful entrance. If using one, practice operating your music or DVD player. Make sure that you have charged batteries. Know how to quickly set up the easel, if you are bringing one.
The Interview
Dress appropriately.
Present yourself professionally. Dress comfortably for your interview, but not too casually. Your appearance is an expression of your inner state of mind. Being poorly dressed shows lack of good taste and an apathetic attitude. In other words, "dress for success". Interviewers will size you up within 30 seconds. You only get one chance to make a first impression.
Arrive on time.
In fact, be early. Fifteen minutes early is a good rule. This will allow you to present yourself in a relaxed and composed manner.
Greet the judges.
Be pleasant and engaging. Show energy, enthusiasm, and excitement. Good eye contact, a strong handshake (only if a hand is offered), and a confident smile will get everything off to a good start. Introduce yourself and remember the names of those to whom you are introduced. If you don’t catch a name, ask the person to repeat it. Don't use the interviewer’s first name unless specifically asked to do so.
Monitor your body language.
Give the appearance of energy as you walk. Good posture gives a confident impression. Unless you are offered a seat, remain standing. Sit or stand erectly; do not slouch. Keep your arms at your side rather than touching your hair and face or adjusting your clothing. Be certain that your body language is natural. Leaning back could give the impression of a lax attitude. A defensive person will be closed off (i.e. folded arms across the chest). Leaning slightly forward shows that
you are interested and engaged. Don’t chew gum, yawn, look at your watch, appear bored, or fidget. It is natural to be nervous in anticipation of an interview. Interviewers are sometimes stern without intending to be. Don’t take things personally.
Monitor your speech.
Answer in complete sentences when possible, avoiding interjections of "uhm", "like", and "you know". When asked a yes/no question, follow up with a brief, interesting detail that the interviewer might remember. If you don’t understand a question, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask the interviewer to rephrase or repeat the question.
Make eye contact.
Make eye contact throughout the interview. Avoid looking at the floor or ceiling while listening and speaking. Be a good listener as well as a good communicator.
Volunteer information.
When offering information during an interview, remember that it’s the interviewer’s job to decide what’s to ask. It’s your job to "flesh out" your answers with details that will convince the interviewer of your strengths. Phrase what you say about yourself positively and highlight desirable qualities or accomplishments. If you are asked why you performed poorly on something in the past, emphasize your current achievements instead of enumerating excuses. If you get the impression that the interview is not going well, don’t let your discouragement show. Don’t ever lie! Answer questions truthfully, frankly, and succinctly. Don’t repeat yourself or “over-answer”.. Be prepared with a good close. You can ask a question, add information that you prepared before the interview, or follow up on a topic covered during the interview itself. Good closure shows that you have been engaged in the exchange. Thank the interviewer for giving you the opportunity and make a gracious exit, i.e. avoid running out, but also refrain from lingering.
Possible Negative Factors an interviewer May Notice
Personal appearance that is less than professional Overbearing, over-aggressive, or egotistical behavior Lack of purpose Lack of interest and enthusiasm; passive and indifferent Lack of confidence and poise; nervousness Evasiveness; making excuses for unfavorable factors in academic history Lack of tact, maturity, or courtesy Inability to maintain a conversation Lack of preparation for the interview Compiled and edited from the following sources:
UC Berkeley Financial Aid Office Website http://www.rumahbeasiswa.com/scholarship-217.html JDG Associates, Ltd. website http://www.jdgsearch.com/interview.shtml Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney Australia http://www.ncs.usyd.edu.au/press/includes/pdfs/Scholarship%20Interview%20Tips1.pdf