HELPFUL TIPS

SCHOLARSHIP INTERVIEW TIPS PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW 

• Know the exact place and time of the interview, the names of the interviewers, eg. full name and correct pronunciation and their titles.

• Learn pertinent facts about the scholarship.

• Determine how the opportunity will impact your career development.

• An interview is a "two-way street." Know what questions to ask during the interview. Your questions allow the representative to evaluate your professional and personal needs. Insightful questions help both of you determine if your relationship will be mutually rewarding. Lastly, the better you understand the opportunity, the more you will be able to communicate your interest in the scholarship.

• Wear proper attire and greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and an enthusiastic smile.

• Practice with peers, teachers and family members to improve your confidence in talking about yourself and what the scholarship will mean to you if chosen as a recipient.

• For the interviewer, the "right match" means the scholarship providers have identified individuals capable of performing the immediate challenges. More importantly, they hope the individuals have the potential to be future resources and assets to the institution offering the scholarship.

• You are being interviewed by the interviewer to determine whether you have the qualifications necessary to undertake the scholarship and whether a mutually rewarding professional relationship can be formed.

• Similarly, you must determine whether you can be successful in the scholarship and whether this opportunity will enable growth and development. EXAMPLE QUESTIONS

YOU MAY BE ASKED

• Tell me a little about yourself?

• Tell me about your background and your accomplishments?

• What do you see as your strengths?

• What do you see as your weaknesses?

• What interests you about the scholarship?

• What activities are most important to your personal development?

• What interested you in choosing this field?

• What other student financial resources do you have available? CLOSING THE INTERVIEW

• If you are interested in the scholarship, let the interviewer know. If you feel the scholarship is attractive and you want it, ask about the next step in the process.

• If you get the impression that the interview is not going well and that you have already been rejected, don't let your discouragement show.

• Thank the interviewer for his or her time and consideration. DOs and DON’Ts

• Do plan to arrive a few minutes early. Late arrival for an interview is never excusable. • If presented with an application, fill it out neatly and completely. Don't rely on your application or resume to do all the selling for you.

• Do greet the interviewer by last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. If not, ask the interviewer to repeat it.

• Give the appearance of energy as you walk. Smile! Shake hands firmly. Be genuinely glad to meet the interviewers.

• Do wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright, look alert and interested at all times. Be a good listener as well as a good communicator. • Do look the interviewer in the eye while speaking.

• Do follow the interviewer's leads, but try to get the interviewer to describe the scholarship to you early in the interview so that you can apply your background, skills and accomplishments to the scholarship.

• Do make sure that your good points come across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner. Stress academic and personal achievements.

• Do always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the scholarship you are discussing. Never close the door on an opportunity.

• Do show enthusiasm. If you are interested in the opportunity, enthusiastic feedback can enhance your chances of being furthered considered. If you are not interested, your responsiveness will still demonstrate your professionalism.

• Do ask the interviewer questions of your own.

• Don't forget to bring a copy of your student resume.

• Don't answer with a simple "yes" or "no." Describe those things about yourself which relate to the situation.

• Don't lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly.

• Don't make unnecessary derogatory remarks about your present or former employers, teachers or students.

• Don't over-answer questions by rambling on and on. AVOID MAKING A NEGATIVE IMPRESSION

• Personal appearance which is less than professional.

• Overbearing, over-aggressive or egotistical behavior.

• Lack of tact, maturity and courtesy.

• No positive purpose.

• Lack of confidence and poise.

• Lack of interest and enthusiasm.

• Evasiveness; making excuses for unfavorable factors in academic history.

• Inability to maintain an intelligent conversation.

• Lack of commitment to fill the scholarship requirements.

• Failure to ask questions about the scholarship.

• Lack of preparation for interview -- failure to get information about the organization, resulting in inability to ask intelligent questions.

SUMMARY

• Adapt Listen and adapt. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewers. Pay attention to those details of dress, office furniture, and general décor that will afford helpful clues to assist you in tailoring your presentation.

• Relate Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and the organization. Focus on achievements relevant to the scholarship.

• Encourage Encourage the interviewer to share information about the organization to demonstrate your interest.