Part 3 of 4: Scholarships - How to Win in the Interview

Interviews are inevitable. We all have to face them. You will have interviews for scholarships, clubs, organizations, internships, and ultimately permanent jobs.
You should review potential, common questions you may be asked in an interview. Consider the questions and formulate a brief answer. Write a few bullet points for each question. Before you go to an interview, review your answers as practice. You can also have a friend ask you these questions as practice.

INTERVIEWING BASICS
• Dress appropriately
Boys should wear a suit with a reasonable tie. The tie should just cover the buckle of the belt. The belt should match the color of the shoes. Shoes should be brown or black. Do not wear white socks. Pants should completely cover your socks and the back of the pant leg should reach the heel of your shoe. A black, gray, or dark blue suit is recommended. A well pressed white or light blue shirt is recommended as well. You should also consider wearing a T-shirt under your dress shirt especially if the dress shirt is thin. Select a shirt with a comfortable collar. You do not want to be tugging at the neck of your shirt during an interview.
Girls should wear a business attire such as a dress or pant suit. The suit should be a dark solid color, although this is not absolutely necessary. Avoid flashy or revealing clothes. Skirts should not be too short or too long. An inch or two on either side of the knee is acceptable. Be cautious of the skirt appearing too short when you are sitting. Make sure no undergarments can be seen in any way. Avoid clothes that easily wrinkle as you may be in them for a long period of time. Avoid elaborate jewelry. You want the interviewer to focus on your answers, not on your jewelry. A small purse with a shoulder strap is acceptable. Make sure the color of the purse matches your shoes.
• Ask questions
Prepare good questions to ask at the end of the interview. Asking a question such as "When can I expect to hear something?" is appropriate.
• Research
Do as much research about the company, scholarship, organization, etc. as possible prior to the interview. If you can find out who is going to be interviewing you, learn as much as you can about him/her and his/her position/title/responsibilities as well.

Common questions might include the following:

1. Tell me a little about yourself.
2. What are your strengths?
3. What is your biggest weakness? (Turn this into a positive. Answer with something like "I think I can accomplish anything; therefore, I tend to overwork because I will finish anything I start regardless of the difficulty.")
4. What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
5. Who do you most admire and why?
6. Identify a conflict you have encountered and how you handled that conflict?
7. Identify a situation where you have taken a leadership role and how you handled that position?
8. Do you view yourself as a leader or a follower? Why?
9. Why should we select you?
10. What do you not like about yourself?
11. Who is your role model?
12. What type of decisions do you struggle making?
13. Describe yourself 20 years from now?
14. What is your anticipated major? Why?
15. What could you have done better in high school?
16. How would you respond if I said that your interview was not very good?
17. Identify a time that you had to take a chance and how you handled the situation.
18. Tell me why we should select you.
19. Name one thing that best describes you.
20. Name one cartoon character that best describes you and tell why.
21. Name one adjective that best describes you.
22. Do others try to be like you? Why?
23. Have you ever "stretched the truth" in an interview or on a resume?