The Weekly Update #4

Know something about who you will be meeting with.

• Research the company or organization. If you are applying for a scholarship, know who is offering it and what they stand for. You would be surprised what you can find on the internet.

• Try to choose something with more conservative colors and patterns and assure everything fits well. Your outfit should make you feel confident and professional.
  

Arrive on time. 'On time' means five minutes BEFORE your interview.

• Make sure you know where you are going prior to the interview. Research where to park and know the exact location of the interview (what building, floor, office number, etc.)
• Know how long it will take you to arrive at your destination. Factor traffic time of day into your schedule and give yourself extra time to get where you are going. If you are early, a few minutes of waiting in your car allows you to focus on the upcoming interview.

Appear professional while waiting.

• Whether staff at the front desk or someone walking by while you wait, someone may comment on your behavior. Remember to be polite and gracious to everyone.
• Stay off your phone while waiting for your interview and make sure your phone is off or silenced during your interview. Set a reminder on your phone to do this so you don't forget.

• If they extended their hand, shake hands firmly. Handshakes would typically happen at the beginning or end of an in-person interview. (COVID has changed some things. Some people prefer not to shake hands. Be ready for a fist bump if that is their preference. Let THEM initiate any hand-to-hand contact.)
  
• A good handshake demonstrates confidence in what you are doing and shows that you want to be there.

Make a good first impression.

• Enter the room with a smile.
• Wait until they direct/invite you to sit.
• Have good posture and body language. Practice this at home! It will feel a little awkward. Practice can help you become more comfortable.

Maintain eye contact with the interviewer.

• If being interviewed by a group, move your face around periodically to each of them. You will start answering the person who asked the question but then glance around at others.
• If attending the meeting virtually, be sure your background is free of distractions and that you are in a quiet location.

• BREATHE, smile, talk slowly, and maintain eye contact.

Have a positive attitude.

• Have a mindset of hope, optimism, courage, and kindness. Avoid negativity and hopelessness.

• Being honest shows you are comfortable with who you are and have nothing to hide. If you do not speak clearly, your interviewer might not understand or may misinterpret what you say.
• If you do not understand the question, it is okay to ask for clarification.

• A thank you can create a deeper connection with the interviewer and show appreciation.
• Plus, it doesn't hurt to remind them who you are and that you are considerate!

Don’t chew gum.

• Gum will prevent you from articulating your information nicely and make it seem like you do not care.

Don’t criticize others.

• This could make you look like someone who does not take proactive steps to resolve a situation and make you look like a negative person or not a team player.

Don’t exaggerate.

• You want to come across as a confident person who understands their skill set and experience. However, you need to do this in a way that is not overly exaggerated and possibly untrue.

Don’t put down a previous employer, boss, teacher, or coach.

• Simply put, it raises too many questions and leaves a negative impression.

Don’t wring your hands or display other nervous habits.

• This can be distracting during your interview. Breathe during your interview to avoid nervous habits.

Don't say um or like.

• Yes, it is normal and often habit to use these words. Just try to keep it to a minimum.

Don't have your phone, food or drink.

• You want the interview to be your primary focus.
• The only exception to food or drink is if this is an interview over a meal. Yes, these are rare but they sometimes happen. If your interview takes place during a meal, do some table manners and meal etiquette research to prepare. Also, be prepared for general small talk as well.

Don't dress inappropriate.

• Dressing professionally shows you want to make a good impression and that you take the interview process seriously.
  

Preparation is POWER!

• Research the scholarship/school you are apply to.
  
• Practice possible interview question answers with a friend or family member.
  
• Arrive early and know where you are going.
  
• Bring a copy of your resume.
  
• Have some question answers prepared in advance.
  
• Focus on your breathing and pause before you speak.
  
• Remember that you are simply having a conversation.
• Eat a light meal in advance.

Try the STOP Method

• Stop what your doing and focus on what you're thinking.
• Take a few deep breaths, as many as you need.
• Observe what is happening inside your body. Observe your emotions, what thoughts are in your mind, and why you are feeling these things.
• Proceed with the intention of incorporate your observations into your following actions.

You might be wondering how to prepare for scholarship interview questions in order to impress your interviewer. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for scholarship interview questions:

1. Go through your submitted application details and review your answers multiple times before attending the interview. It is likely that is all they know about you so they will likely ask about it.
2. Do not forget to read everything carefully about your program and the organization offering the scholarship. Typically they will give you a chance to ask questions at the end. Well researched questions (Don't ask something they already answered online.) leave a good impression and can provide you with valuable information.
3. Start reading newspapers and general knowledge books seven days before your interview day.
4. Focus on your body language and the way you are presenting yourself. Lock that bathroom door and practice in the mirror!
5. If you do not understand any interview questions, then please ask the interviewer to clarify them instead of going blank. Always make eye contact.

PRO TIP: Speak slowly, mindfully, be yourself, and prepare well!

Tell us about yourself.

• Spotlight your achievements, personality traits, skills, and experiences.

Were you involved in any activities at school or in your community?

• This is a great opportunity to talk about your experiences and involvement in clubs, sports, or the community.

Tell us about your greatest strength and greatest weakness.

• This question allows them to judge your self-awareness, honesty, and interest in personal growth.

How would you describe yourself?

• This question allows the interviewer to get to know you better as a person, understand how you perceive yourself, and gain further insight into your personality. Highlight your traits that are relevant to what you are applying for.

What are your biggest accomplishments?

• This question allows interviewers to learn about your achievements while also gaining insight into your ability to set goals and achieve them.

Describe a mistake you have made.

• How you respond to this question informs interviewers about your ability to take responsibility for your actions and how you learn from your mistakes.

Tell us about your leadership experience.

• Use this question to gauge how you build and maintain relationships and how you work with others.

What is your favorite book and why?

• This question is asking you to show your personality and interest.

What is your favorite subject in school?

• This is another question where you show your personality. Choose a subject that relates to the scholarship/school and one you are passionate about.

What is your dream job?

• This allows the interviewer to understand your goals and ambitions.

What is a meaningful experience or class you’ve had in school?

• This question intends to learn how coursework has shaped your interest and shown you new perspectives on certain topics.

• This is how they learn the qualities you admire, what inspires you, and who has shaped your interests or helped you become who you are today.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

• The goal of this question is to learn about your aspirations and goals.

How do you define failure?

• This question is meant to see how you respond when faced with a challenge and gain insight into your problem-solving skills.

How do you manage stress?

• They are seeking to determine how you deal with difficult situations. Hint: Don’t focus on the present moment. A better way to answer would be by mentioning a specific skill or habit that you have developed over time. Example: Last fall I was feeling particularly taxed—I was taking two AP courses, studying for the SAT, playing varsity soccer, and preparing to apply to college. I felt a lot of pressure to get everything done and it was overwhelming. I’m a very organized person. When I have a lot of work to do, I break it down into manageable tasks. Seeing everything that needs to be done in one sitting can be exasperating for me. But if I give myself smaller goals to meet each day, then it all becomes more manageable.

Tell me about a time you overcame adversity.

• Interviewers ask this question for a variety of reasons, including learning about your problem-solving, creative thinking, and resourcefulness.

What motivates you?

• This question is usually asked to see what motivates you to do your best, but more importantly, provides you with a chance to show off the positive aspects of your personality. Your answers should focus on something that aligns with the scholarship

Tell me about a time when you didn’t agree with an authority’s decision.

• This question aims to gain insight into how you think through tough situations and is a test of your maturity.

Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond on a task.

• This question is meant to see your dedication, motivation, and work ethic. A good answer will highlight a specific attribute you want to call attention to and use an example of a time you went beyond what was required to convey that attribute.

How would you describe a good school environment?

• This is a question that allows you to visualize your ideal environment, and what your priorities would be if you were in charge.

Tell me about a personal achievement that makes you proud.

• Answering this question provides an excellent opportunity to brag about a big accomplishment and spotlight scholarship-related qualities, like perseverance and problem-solving. Make sure to credit those who helped you along the way and share what you learned from the experience.

Describe your personality in three words.

• The interviewer is looking for a glimpse of your personality, to understand how you view yourself, and to see if you’re a good fit for the scholarship. Make sure to concentrate on your unique talents and skills in your response and avoid jargon along with irrelevant and pretentious words.

How do you start a project?

• This question is meant to determine your process for getting something done. The interviewer wants to know if you are organized or just jumping into things.

How did you choose your major?

• Interviewers use this question to learn about your passions and interests. When answering, try to align your major to the scholarship. Highlight the attributes of the major you’re excited about but steer clear of talking about money. For example, engineering might be a lucrative major, but talking about it isn’t likely to score you any points. As always, specific examples and stories are more compelling than generalizations.

Why did you choose to apply for this scholarship?

• This question is designed to gauge your interest in the scholarship and your fit with it. Share specifics of what excites you about the scholarship and how it aligns with your college and future goals. Keep your answer positive and focus on the best aspects of the scholarship.

Why should you be the one to receive this scholarship?

• This is your chance to make a case for yourself and show the interviewer why you’re the right person for the award; link it to your passions, tie it to your skills, and show the positive effect the funds will have.

How will you use the scholarship money?

• Have a budget prepared and highlight how you’ll use the funds to further your education. If you don’t have a plan, it will be difficult for the scholarship to believe that this scholarship will be beneficial to either party.

What questions do you have for me?

• The interviewer is looking for you to display interest in the program by asking questions. Your response should be tailored to your particular interests and any concerns that you may have had throughout this interview. This is also a great chance to engage your interviewer with questions focused on their experience with the scholarship.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

• It is crucial to show the interviewer that you are serious about this program. This question allows you to make any additional points or highlight anything that you may have not covered in your earlier responses. If you have something relevant to share that didn’t come up naturally in the interview, this is the time to mention it.

OTHER TIPS

It is okay to say, "I don't think I understand the question."

It is okay, to ask or need more information to formulate your answer.

( Mrs. Koester’s daughter, Kayleigh, serves on Drake University’s National Alumni Scholarship selection team. She has a few tips for you to augment the information below.)

What qualifications do you have for this job?

• Explain how current grades and activities would positively impact your job position.

Tell us about yourself.

• Talk about things you have done in relation to the position.

What job experience do you have?

• Describe past positions (i.e. babysitting, taking care of a pet, mowing; anything that shows responsibility) and relate them to the current position.

Why do you think you would do well in this job/internship/college?

• Give reasons that include your experience, skills, or interests.

Do you consider yourself successful?

• Answer yes confidently and then convince them why by explaining at least one goal set, how you’ve achieved it, and describe one goal you want to achieve. Kayleigh: Consider what your definition of ‘success’ is. That may be relevant to your answer.

What motivates you to do your best work?

• Share a personal motivator, such as challenge, achievement or recognition.

What are your strengths?

• List and explain at least two strengths. All strengths should be positive and it is best if they relate to what you are interviewing for or about.

What are your weakest points or growing edges (things you can improve on)?

• Do not make a long laundry list. Instead, pick one or two things that you struggled with and explain how you have grown or improved in that area.

What would classmates say about you?

• Give a specific, positive attribute a classmate would say about you. Some examples would be helpful, loyal, determined, considerate, and outgoing. Give an example of why.

Why do you want to work for this organization (or attend this college)?

• Be sure your answer is related to long-term goals, such as the type of career you want to go into or just a general desire to learn skills that will be helpful in the future.

• Explain your initial career plans and any additional plans in the first five years or so. Are you hoping to advance in your career or pursue additional education?

What do you expect to gain from our program?

• Kayleigh: If you are interviewing, then you want something. You don’t want to kiss up too much but you also can take this opportunity to praise them. Does this program have a great reputation for preparing people for a certain career or degree? Tie this question back into your larger, long-term goal so they realize you are aware of the bigger picture.

Are you a team player?

• Yes - again, answer convincingly and give a specific example of a time you were a team player.

Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

• Keep in mind the context of your interview. You want them to take you seriously for the position or scholarship but don’t make unrealistic expectations. If this is an entry-level position, you can let them know that you expect to gain experience and advance.

How do you want to be remembered?

• A good friend, a hard worker, a great athlete… Kayleigh: These are very superficial answers. Dig deeper. What do you truly value? That should give you a good idea of the legacy you want to leave behind.

Share a struggle you have experienced.

• Kayleigh: You wouldn't believe how many people try and pitch having to go to football practice every day as a struggle. Go deeper and be more thoughtful than that.

What lesson is the most important one that you have learned and why?

• Kayleigh: This is an insightful question so give it thought. Some things to consider: Is it the value of hard work? The importance of honesty? That each individual have significance and value? How important it is to have the courage to be yourself?

What do you have to offer our program/college?

• Think very specifically about what they need/expect and then match it to your specific skills and abilities. Sell them on yourself but, more importantly, let them know that you have done your research and you know what they need.