Riverside Community Center
4498 NW High Drive
Riverside, Missouri 64150
Phone: (816) 741-4172
Fax: (816) 372-9170
Hart's Helpful Hints: Tips for Successful Interviews
The City of Riverside has partnered with Steph Hart of Essential Elements: Comprehensive College Planning to present a FREE college prep series for high school students and their parents. Our fifth session was on Sunday, October 23 and provided tips on preparing for successful admission, alumni, and/or scholarship interviews. After each session, Steph will provide a "Hart's Helpful Hint" with additional details about preparing for college!
First and foremost, BE YOURSELF – how you presented yourself in your application is why you earned an interview.
Everything below is meant to help you have an even better interview, but know that typically, unless you completely misstep during the meeting, these opportunities can only be an asset to your file. It is your chance to show yourself in person, not just on paper or a computer screen.
KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER
• Be confident in who you are and what you will bring to that particular campus community – both inside and outside of the classroom.
• Don’t approach the interview as making them like you…they already do or you would not have been given this opportunity.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
• Know the campus and the programs/majors that interest you.
• Be able to articulate why you are a good fit for that college/university and why you chose to apply for admission.
DRESS APPROPRIATELY
• Men should wear dress pants with a shirt and tie and young women should consider dress pants or a skirt (no shorter than just above the knee) with an suitable shirt (not low cut, not too tight, etc.).
• No jeans. Ever.
• Spend time in your outfit prior to the interview (sit, walk, etc.) to make sure you will be comfortable.
BRING A PORTFOLIO
• Pen and a pad of paper for notes (immediate thoughts before answering, a question you think to ask during the interview, etc.)
• Copy of your resume and the essay you submitted to that school, just in case (although most often already provided for the interviewer)
BE CAREFUL ABOUT HAVING TO USE YOUR HANDS TOO MUCH TO COMMUNICATE
PAY ATTENTION TO POSSIBLE FIDGETING (USUALLY A RESULT OF NERVES)
• Tucking hair behind your ears
• Moving the pendent on a necklace (don’t wear one if this is a known habit)
• Tapping your foot
• Clicking your pen (choose a different pen style if you know you do this)
MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT WITH THE INTERVIEWER
LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THE QUESTIONS POSED
• These two can sometimes be difficult when alumni interviews are conducted in a busy coffee shop, so try not to stray to people or conversations around you.
• This is also tricky in group interview situations. Listen thoughtfully to the answers of the other interviewees. Make sure not to appear disengaged while other students are speaking.
DON’T TALK TOO MUCH (OFTEN DUE TO NERVOUSNESS)
• Keep answers concise and focused.
• Talking too much allows you to ramble and easily lose focus.
CURB WORDS SUCH AS “LIKE” AND “UM”
HAVE AT LEAST ONE QUESTION PREPARED TO ASK THE INTERVIEWER(S)
• Make sure your inquiry is well researched, specific to that college/university, and not generic.
