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Friday, December 27, 2013

Tips on Interviewing.


As a Student Ambassador, one of the things I’ve picked up on is that prospective students get some serious butterflies for their interviews. I suppose there’s good reason for the nervousness right? It’s not like your whole future might depend on the interview process! So I decided to write this blog to give prospective students tips for conquering the interview so that when you leave, you’ll be happily thinking, “I killed it!”

1. Dress to Impress

First impressions are always important. When you walk into the interview room, the first thing everyone is going to notice is your appearance. Guys, you should wear dress slacks, a coat, and a tie to look your best. Ladies, consider black pants and a nice shirt with a coat, or anything that fits the business attire descriptions. Also, make sure you get a good night’s rest before the interview to ensure alertness and to avoid those pesky yawns.

2. Take A Deep Breath

Don’t worry, everyone gets nervous before interviews. I think the important thing to remember here is that the people interviewing you want you to succeed. They want to get to know you. They want you to be comfortable. So relax, take a big deep breath before you go in and maintain a positive attitude. When you go in, offer a firm handshake to your interviewers and introduce yourself.

3. The Interview

Now it’s time to get things started. Take a few more breaths if you still feel a little nervous. Sit up straight and be a good listener. When speaking, try to be clear and concise and speak in complete sentences. Don’t forget about eye contact! It’s the key to effective speaking. Answer questions presented to you with necessary information but don’t ramble. Speak from the heart and be honest in your responses. If you can’t think of an answer to a question immediately, don’t panic! Just take another breath and think about it for a few seconds. The interview is not a race so remember to take your time. Throughout the interview, be courteous and use good manners, be friendly but not too casual, and organize your thoughts.

4. Don’t…

Chew gum, speak in slang, play with your hair or clothes, act like you know everything, interrupt, smell like cigarettes, speak negatively, slouch, lie, discuss controversial topics, argue, and never ever ever ever answer your cell phone or text messages (unless its an emergency)!

5. Wrapping In Up

Upon the conclusion of the interview, thank the interviewers for their time. If you have any questions about the application process or the school in general, now is a good time to ask. And what may have seemed like an eternity is now over! You did it and you’re done! Follow these tips and I guarantee you will leave feeling confident and excited to get that acceptance letter.

 
I wish everyone applying good luck and hope you found these tips helpful!

Written by Zack, P1 Student





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