University interviews can be nerve-wracking. Not all subjects require that graduates have an interview as part of the application process, generally excluding anyone working on their Bachelor’s degree.
Once you’re done with your studies and decide to go into a post-grad program (medicine, nursing, law, business), you are likely to have an interview before you’re accepted.
Instead of letting your nerves get the best of you, try out these tips to rock your interview.
1. Do a mock Q&A
Do you know the old saying, “practice makes perfect?” It is true for many things in life, including the interview process. One of the most common reasons why students freeze up is nerves, letting the jitters get the best of them.
That’s why, if you prepare, you’ll be more than ready to take on the challenge. Look to a research paper editing service to get help with well-written questions and practice answering them in the mirror, with your friends, or with a mentor.
Be sure to look up and practice typical questions for the master’s degree or program you’re applying for. You can find plenty of great content online, do a quick search, and practice answering the questions in random order before the big day comes.
2. Get comfy with your personal statement
Before ever stepping foot in the interview, you should know your personal statement perfectly. Be one with it, making it about something that you stand for and believe in.
If you’ve got startup ideas and are motivated to get things rolling, add them in. Your university program wants to know more about you as an individual and why you would be a great fit and become a great professional during and after the program.
3. Check your schedule
This tip may go without saying, but it is super important. Check your schedule. Before you set a date, make sure everything is clear for the day and possibly the day before. You want to be relaxed, well-rested, and sharp.
If you’re not the best with time management, you better learn to be, as this could be a make or break of your success. Remember, arriving on time is late. Get there at least 10 minutes early to calm down, breathe, and center yourself before you walk in.
4. Gather documents
The type of documents you’ll need to bring along depends on your program. You’ll most likely need to bring any significant studies, projects, or portfolios that you’ve worked on throughout your academic career.
If your teacher has given you a recommendation, you’ll want to bring that along too, showing yourself off a bit and having documentation prepared and ready in case they ask for it.
If you’re applying for schools that require lots of design, make sure to bring a portfolio that is full of your work so that your interviewer can take a look at it.
You want to show them your talents and capabilities along with your personality. Bring all the things you’re most proud of and practice describing them and the assignment goal so that they know how full of ideas you are.
And don’t forget to do thorough proofreading: the last thing you want the interviewer to think of you is that you’re careless and not serious about the position.
5. Dress to impress
First impressions are everything. While you may win them over with your personality, you still need to appear professional and clean. Some university students don’t really put too much effort into their appearance and style (we know because we’ve been there!).
While you don’t have to go out and buy the best of the best, you should think about looking your best. Put on those lucky socks, dress nice, put a smile on that face, and enter with your head held high, ready to show off your stunning personality.
6. Prepare for curve balls
Sometimes, interviewers put a twist on the good old face-to-face interview. Maybe they take you for a walk, a coffee, or even dinner. Plus, they always like to hit you with the question, “do you have any questions?”
Please don’t get caught off guard; come prepared with a few things to ask and gather some throughout the conversation to let them know that you were engaged and listening to them the entire time.
7. Relax and just be yourself
Last but not least, don’t forget just to be yourself. Your interviewer is human like you and also wants to have a conversation with a human being. If you’ve got a college side hustle, let them in on it, giving them details that set you apart from the rest of the pack.
Smile and be as relaxed or serious as you are in real life. If you walk into any interview nervous, your interviewer can typically pick up on it and sense it. Your tension will make them a bit jittery, giving them a different vibe about you and your preparedness.
Before the interview, if it helps, some smart techniques may come in handy: do a bit of meditation and deep breathing, calming your nerves and getting ready to dive in. There are tons of tips and tricks to calm your nerves, and you likely know what works best for you.
You Got This!
When you find out you have an interview, it’s pretty standard for the nerves to start kicking in. Let them linger, but don’t let them take control. You can push them aside by being the most prepared you can be by:
Studying questions
Remembering your personal statement
Arriving on time
Dressing the part
And just being yourself
If you have time, take a look around student forums and see what former interviewees say about the process. Did they throw any curveballs that you could prepare for?
Did they have an overall good experience? You can find many details online to get yourself ready and prepared for anything that might come your way.
Don’t let your nerves get the best of you and rock any interview to land a spot in the career of your dreams.
