I'm going to go interview for college tomorrow

hwpaintballer

hwpaintballer

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Jun 12, 2008
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I'm pretty excited tomorrow I am going to Carson-Newman to interview with an Army recruiter. Hopefully by Christmas I can earn a military scholarship :D. Anyone got any tips for interviews? (:o I know this is kind of last minute, but better late than never)
 
Congrats! The best advice I have is to be yourself!!! People can sense insincerity in others pretty well, especially interviewers. Don't search for the yearbook answer. And try to verbally underline past experiences that set you apart from others.

Other than that, dress cleanly and appropriately, use the most proper etiquette you know without being uncomfortable, and keep good eye contact/body language.

But relax, by yourself, and it'll go fine!
 
My most important interview tip: stop talking.

When you've answered the question, stop talking. There'll be a slightly ackward silent pause, but you don't need to fill it.

I'm not saying be curt, but when you've adequately answered a question, stop. Your answer to a question should rarely exceed one minute.

Be prepared for open-ended and vague questions such as, "Tell me something about yourself?" Your answer is to be one minute long. "I was born in U, grew up in V, and graduated from W High School. Since then, I've been doing X. I really want to go to college because Y and I want to do so on a military scholarship because of Z." One minute.

One of my favorite interview questions to ask is, "What is your favorite pizza topping?" I don't really care. It doesn't matter what the answer is. Everyone has a favorite. Just say what it is. What I don't want is, "Oh... I don't know. Sometimes I like sausage. Sometime I like peppers. Mushrooms can be nice... I'm sure I like whatever you like." Don't be wishy-washy and don't try to please me. That's not the question. Just say, "I really love X on my pizza."

And, as Mr. SpookyPistolero wisely advised, dress and act well and watch your language.
 
I've been on both sides of the interview table a few times. Take notice of the advice from the guys above, all good stuff.

One thing, relax, don't get so relaxed you seem like you don't care, but don't get so tense you can't answer the questions. They guy isn't going to shoot you.

Like Gollnick I have a couple of favourite questions, ones I like to ask, but not answer.

1. Why do you want to attend X college and what do you think you will get out of it?

2. Why do you think we should let you attend our college?

You may, or may not, get asked these. Might be a plan to at least consider the possibility and think about the answers before you go in there.

Good luck!
 
Don't lie.
If your answer is going to have to be an exaggeration because you think you aren't rich enough in a particular way, talk about something else that you don't have to lie about or embellish.

If you need a few seconds to think about an answer, take them. Just sit quietly and if you feel nervous just lift your head a little bit like you're showing someone you're thinking; that head movement is not for the interviewer despite what you might think, it's for you to feel comfortable. Just think it through and then talk. Don't take five minutes, but a few seconds of thought is far better than putting your foot in your mouth and babbling.

Speaking of which, if at any point you feel that you have said something stupid or that things are going sideways, hit a mental reset and keep going. Ultimately you will always have another chance if you want one, don't freak out.
 
One I always told students is never admit a weakness. If somebody asks you "What do you consider your biggest weakness?" you should think they're asking you "Give me a reason to not admit/hire/accept you."

IF you hear that question, pause a bit and then say something along the lines of: "I tend to focus on strengths, so it's a tough question for me." followed by a reasonable response like: "Maybe I have too much enthusiasm and energy sometimes." or "I'm a rookie at this, but I'm a quick learner."

I've actually NOT hired people because of the weaknesses they told me. Generally because, as Gollnick points out, many tend to talk too much since they're nervous and actually talk themselves out of what they're interviewing for.
 
Gargs said:
One I always told students is never admit a weakness. If somebody asks you "What do you consider your biggest weakness?" you should think they're asking you "Give me a reason to not admit/hire/accept you."
Click to expand...

I can't completely agree with that one or completely agree that it's good advice. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.

Some employers, admissions staff, etc. are looking for someone that has a realistic sense of self and self appraisal of strengths and weaknesses. They don't want everybody to come in pretending to be Superman, because obviously everybody has at least a few flaws. Too many people have the American Idol sense of self, where they do not have an honest self image and think that they are the best of the best when in reality they are probably just average; it relates to the old line about how 80% of drivers think they are above average.

Obviously a candidate wants to put themselves in the best light to get the position, and just like on a date the natural tendency will be to embellish; accomplished interviewers and savvy women will tend to be able to zero in through the B.S. and find a core that is lacking. Far better to play up real strengths and be honest but spin positively about weaknesses. The downsides to not bringing up minor deficiencies can be a lack of meaningful self improvement (afterall if you can't admit it you'll never fix it), disappointment when that flaw comes out (and it always will, like a ticking time bomb), and a betrayal of the sense of honest trust.

No, I wouldn't suggest wearing your failures on your sleeve and yelling about them from the rooftops, but to hide them at all costs is I think a great mistake. Ultimately it depends on the circumstance and the people you talk to, and it can be a really hard skill to learn when you should be truly honest and when you should obfuscate. If you're interviewing for a position as dike builder you probably don't need to bring up your fear of heights for example.
 
:D Well toady was less stressful and more fun than I thought it would be. While waiting on my interview I talked to another army recruiter who let me shoot a simulation M4, it was said to have the same kick as an M4 but it wasn't nearly as loud considering it was only firing compressed air. Also the interview went pretty well; I was relaxed, well dressed, and polite/courteous.
 
Gargs said:
One I always told students is never admit a weakness. If somebody asks you "What do you consider your biggest weakness?" you should think they're asking you "Give me a reason to not admit/hire/accept you."
Click to expand...

I can never answer that. I always come up with "I have several..." one of which being that I'm too honest. :D
 
hwpaintballer said:
:D Well toady was less stressful and more fun than I thought it would be. While waiting on my interview I talked to another army recruiter who let me shoot a simulation M4, it was said to have the same kick as an M4 but it wasn't nearly as loud considering it was only firing compressed air. Also the interview went pretty well; I was relaxed, well dressed, and polite/courteous.
Click to expand...

Good luck, hope you get that scholarship. :thumbup:
 
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