Purpose of an Scholarship Interview Workshop

To prepare students on how to present themselves effectively and in a professional manner during an interview and allow them

to practice with their peers

Voices of Experience

– Who are you?– What type of students were you?– What type of scholarships and aid packets we got

• How?

3 Types of Interviews

One on One Interview• The most common interview format. • Traditionally conducted by a direct supervisor. • The interviewer may be directly following a clear agenda, or relying on you

to lead the discussion as you answer open-ended questions.

Panel Interview

• A panel interview is conducted by two or more interviewers and is designed to reduce individual interviewer bias. One member of the panel may ask all of the questions or individual panel member may take turns.

• Popular with Scholarship interviews

Group Interview

• A group interview is when several candidates for a position are interviewed simultaneously.

• Offer employers a sense of your leadership potential and style, and provide a glimpse of what you may actually be like as an employee and how you would fit into the team.

Do’s and Don’ts

DO• Be over than under dressed

• Research the organization

• Prepare for A Good Handshake or a good greeting

• Prepare a List of Questions

• Arrive ten to fifteen minutes before your interview

• Be Yourself

• Send a thank you card/email after your interview

Don’t• Don’t think so fashionable, think

more conservative

• DON'T Let Your Clothes Be a Distraction

• DON'T Pile on the Labels and the Flash

• NO Jeans of any kind

• Don't: Check the time or appear in a hurry

• Do not Swear or use slang words

• Wear too much perfume or makeup

Attire

Some Topics of Discussion

MotivationCommitment

Passion and spark! Initiative

Ability to work with peopleWillingness to take responsibility

Be articulateBe well informed

Sell yourself strongly but not obnoxiouslyConclude graciously

TIPS• RESEARCH the company/org• Be EARLY• FIRM handshake• Eye contact with

EVERYONE • Be Enthusiastic (SMILE)• No UM’s, LIKE’s or “YOU KNOW”• Be SPECIFIC (Tell a story, make them

laugh!)• Ask QUESTIONS• Be CONFIDENT • Give a CONCLUDING STATEMENT OF

APPRETIATION (even if its just a thank you)

Sample Questions• Tell us a little bit about your self ?

– This question is often used as an ice-breaker– Don’t restate your resume, they already know that– Don’t be generic. The best answer is when you have told them something

that only you can say and is unique to you• Don’t just mention your credentials • Talk about your hobbies, interests outside the classroom. • Paint a picture of the day in the life of you.

• What makes you an ideal candidate for our scholarship?– Mentions skills you have and use your resume to back them up.

• Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?– Its ok to say you don’t know, but emphasize why investing in you is worth it

• Why did you select Mason?– Buzz words include location, diversity, degrees, faculty, but think

of something unique to you!

• Why should we consider you for our program?

• Who inspires you?– For many it is your parents because they work hard, but be

specific!– Tell them examples, stories, descriptions, moments of when they

were inspirational to you

• Give us an example of a time you overcame adversity– Details, details, details! Its story time not one sentence!– Focus more on the outcome, how you grew from it, and how you

overcame it

Be Yourself!Break the ice!

Smile, laugh, and be engaging even if on the inside you feel like….