News & Announcements
Grammar Summer Club | |
Friday, 06/05/2022 | |
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School Uniform | |
Monday, 27/09/2021 | |
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Interview Tips |
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In order to succeed at interviews it is vital to be very well prepared, rather like preparing to take an exam. To enhance your interview techniques, follow the tips below:
Before the interview:
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Plan and organise your preparation. Remember to focus on the details such as dress code
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Research the university. Browse the website and build up a very thorough and detailed knowledge of the course and the university
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Revise your A Level syllabi as you may be asked subject specific questions
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Keep up to date with current affairs by reading a well respected newspaper. You may be asked about new developments in your field of study or current areas of discussion
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Go through your Personal Statement and think of questions that arise from it. Be prepared to answer in detail and expand on any of the things you mention in it
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Ask for help at school. The Higher Education Advisory Team can provide a formal mock interview to help prepare you. Collect interview feedback forms from Mrs Stylianou’s office so that you read about other students’ experiences
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Speak to students who have already had an interview. Contact them via e-mail or Facebook for tips and advice
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Sell yourself!! Prepare a list of things which promote you well and introduce them if appropriate. Use the Skills Profile in the PDF section of this website to focus on your skills
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Research common interview questions and think about how you would answer them. Try YouTube to see what videos are available
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Make a list of questions you could ask in return about the course, the university. Take care that this information is not already available on the website!!!
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Plan your journey. Remember to leave enough time to allow for flight delays, rush hour traffic, locating the university and the building
The night before:
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Go to bed early. Don’t go out all night with friends before the big day, recharge your batteries with 8 hours of sleep
On the day:
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Set off early, allowing time for delays on public transport and for finding the interview room
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If you do get lost or run into difficulties, have your mobile and the number of the university with you so you can warn them in advance
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Dress formally but age appropriate and comfortable as you may be there all day
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Switch off your mobile
During the Interview:
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Make eye contact and present yourself positively by smiling and using positive body language
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Be focused in your answers and show your passion for the course and the university
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Pace yourself, don’t rush to say the first thing that comes into your head in response to a question. Give well thought out answers
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If you don’t understand something ask the interviewer to rephrase the question or to explain what they mean
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Give substantial answers but avoid waffle
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Listen carefully to the interviewer and the questions. Remember to answer what you are asked and not what you would like to be asked
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Relax and be yourself
After the interview:
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Don’t stress about what you have said and haven’t said
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Don’t immediately think because the interview was difficult you have done badly. Interviews are often designed to challenge
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Take advantage of being at the university and look around
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Reflect on what you have learnt. Write down tips for other students and things you will do differently next time
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Finally look ahead and prepare yourself for the next interview