Tuesday's Workshops

DYW LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOPS: INTERVIEW

Over the course of our lives most of us interview for all kinds of things – summer jobs, college admissions, scholarships, internships and careers. It’s important to understand all the components that go into a good interview so you’ll be comfortable and confident no matter who you are interviewing with.

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GETTING PREPARED

• Before you arrive, you first need to be ready for any kind of question they may ask. Ask yourself:

• Why do I want this job or honor?

• Why am I qualified?

• What makes me unique and different from my peers? Why am I the best choice?

• What are your overall goals?

Also do your homework on the job or organization. That way you know how your personal assets might best fit the position. And know your resume and/or application.

 

WHAT TO WEAR

No matter the interview, dress to look polished. Even if the interview is for a part-time summer job, wearing clothes that make you look put together shows that you’re taking yourself and the position seriously. You can still show your personal style but don’t wear anything too trendy and definitely not something provocative – you don’t want your clothes to overpower what you’re saying.

A suit, dress shirt and slacks or a skirt, a dress – something you would wear to a special dinner, graduation or to church would work.

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BODY LANGUAGE

Body language is a way of speaking without using words. How you handle yourself physically says a lot to the people you meet. Your confidence in yourself and your abilities – something you want to project in an interview – can be said just by how you carry yourself.

In most interviews you will be meeting your interviewer for the first time and will shake their hand. This may sound strange, but practice a handshake if you haven’t done it much. Grasp the whole hand firmly and shake about two or three times. Look them in the eyes as you do.

You’ll probably be shown where to either sit or stand for the interview. If you are asked to sit and are wearing pants, you should sit with both feet on the ground and knees a little apart or, and particularly if you are wearing a skirt, sit close to the front edge of the chair with your knees together and ankles crossed. In both cases it just keeps your legs tucked away – no nervous legs to worry about.

If you’re asked to stand, keep your legs together but don’t lock your knees. And don’t be afraid to take some steps – just be sure you don’t rock on your heels. Whether you sit or stand, definitely use good posture – no slouching.

And always keep good eye contact. If you are in an interview with more than one person, be sure to look at everyone. Maybe start an answer looking at the person who asked it and then scan the rest of the panel.

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One last tip, let all your nervous energy flow up out of your legs and through your hands and face – you don’t want a lot of movement in your feet or legs distracting anyone. You can and should move your hands during an interview – especially if that’s natural for you – and small gestures in front of your body keep the interviewer focused on you.

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INTERVIEW YOUR INTERVIEWER

Com in prepared to ask questions of the person interviewing you. This shows that you have a high level of interest in the position and would make an engaged student/intern/employee.

Have questions about:

• the position (hours, pay, expectations, clothing requirements, etc)

• the organization (it’s history, why it made a recent change or announcement, etc)

• the interviewer (how long they’ve been there, why they like it, anything they don’t like, etc)

 

 

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

And just like with anything, practice is the only way to get better. Have a friend or family member ask you sample questions. Give them your resume or application and have them talk to you about all the items on it. A great interview starts with you being comfortable talking about yourself – so practice.

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GENERAL INTERVIEWING TIPS

• Walk in with 2 or 3 things about you that make you the best candidate or that you want the interviewer to know about you.

• Go in with a positive attitude.

• Keep in mind the difference between confident and cocky.

• When you enter, the Judge’s Chairman will introduce you to the entire panel; do not introduce yourself to each judge and/or shake their hand

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THE DYW INTERVIEW

If you are participating in a Distinguished Young Women program, here is some additional information specific to the interview category.

CRITERIA

Mental Alertness - Ability to think and reason rather than recite
Perception - Awareness of the world around her
Personality - Confidence, Sincerity, Kindness and a sense of respect
Sense of Values - Areas of interest and aspirations; Goals in life
Clarity of Expression - Correct grammar and proper word usage; Avoid teen speak: “I was like, ya’ know...” Other Factors - Personal presentation/Choice of clothing

 

HOW DOES THE INTERVIEW WORK?

• The judges will begin the questions. At the end of 10 minutes, the Judges Chairman will stop the interview even if someone is speaking.

AREAS OF QUESTIONING

• All subject matter presented in the registration forms - career, future, activities, hobbies & interests

• Current events

• Overall outlook and view of society and its future

**But questions aren’t limited to these areas. Judges are encouraged to develop thought provoking questions.

 

EXPECT FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS

Judges sometimes will ask other questions based upon the answer you gave.

 

WHO JUDGES AND WHY

• Judges are people too and come from all walks of life, with varying professional and personal backgrounds

• All judges believe in the value of Distinguished Young Women and want to see participants do their best

  TIPS

• Be yourself; how you act with friends and family.

• Don’t try to tell judges what you think they want to hear.

• Be honest if you have no opinion or knowledge.

• If asked a current event question and you don’t know the answer, say so, don’t bluff.

• Be knowledgeable of your online forms. You wrote it!

• Be comfortable expressing your personal beliefs and opinions. They are yours, not the judges’ or

  other adults’.

• Don’t discuss your interview with anyone who hasn’t had theirs yet. Wait until everyone is finished

  before comparing notes.