At some point in the next few months lots of you are going to be going to interviews at University or for jobs. Well, I thought it about time I put in one place my ten top tips for getting through that interview. So, here we go...
1. Expect the obvious questions - Why do you want to do...? Why do you want to study here? Expect a question on your practical expertise and your subject knowledge in both of these questions. They have to be open ended as all students have different experiences. So when they ask you something like "What are you studying at the moment?" or "Talk about a practical you have done that you really enjoyed". Make sure that whichever answer you give you can expand on it. Don't take them down an alley that you realise you know nothing about. So prepare to talk about a study topic and a prac and be prepared to talk about it.
2. Research the interviewer - If you know who is interviewing you find out what they are into and read up about that so you can ask some knowledgeable questions of them. There is nothing an interviewer likes more than talking about his own pet subject so google them and find out what they do and find out a little bit about it.
3. Relax - The last thing you want to do is to clam up and say nothing, So try and relax, be yourself and show them how good you can be.
4. Don't relax too much - Don't forget you are being assessed from the moment you step in through the door so don't relax too much and let slip to someone that you don't like this Uni and it is only your fifth choice anyway (in case that person happens to be in on an interview later). Look interested (although not scarily so - don't come across as a psycho) on all the tours and ask questions when given a chance.
Also, curb the attempts at humour, when the interviewer says "Please, take seat" the response "Where shall I take it?" is not going to go down well, they are looking for a student not a stand up act. Be funny, if appropriate, but err, on the side of, this is not a time for one liners.
5. Read the newspapers - Find out what is in the news for your subject area, nothing worse than knowing nothing about a big story in the news.
6. Think about what they are looking for (and what they are not) - Think of the five things you think they are looking for in a student and think about how you are going to get across those attributes on the day. Also, think about the worst attributes of a student (especially the ones you know you can be guilty of) and try your best not to demonstrate them. e.g. avoid stories about getting so drunk you missed a whole morning of lessons or how once you forgot your homework so copied your friends. This may sound obvious but I have heard people do it when they relax during coffee with some of the team doing the interviewing.
7. Dress appropriately - Everybody has their own style but now is not the time to show them your most outlandish outfit. Read what they say in the letter (formal? smart casual?). If they don't say anything, be conservative and go in what you consider smart but not over the top. Shirt, trousers (no trainers, football tops or jeans) does the job for blokes, smart skirt or trousers and a top (again no trainers, denim or anything too "Saturday night in Mold"!) for the ladies.
8. Don't be late - If you are travelling a long way consider staying overnight the night before, gbet there with plenty of time to park, find your way in and have a look around. Don't run in 10 mins late with a heart of 120BPM, sweating and making excuses about the traffic or train punctuality.
9. Do you want the place? - These interviews are often about you finding out about them as well as them finding out about you, so give it some though, can you see yourself there?
10. Make a good first impression - There is a psychological fact along the lines of "...most interviewers decide who they in the first 5 seconds of meeting them". So don't shuffle into a room, staring at your feet, with your hands in your pockets.
Walk tall, be calm and be the person they want at their Uni. If they decide you aren't that person it's their loss.
Good Luck.
