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:

• Plan and organise your preparation.  Remember to focus on the details such as dress code
• Research the university.  Browse the website and build up a very thorough and detailed knowledge of the course and the university
• Revise your A Level syllabi as you may be asked subject specific questions
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Speak to students who have already had an interview.  Contact them via e-mail or Facebook for tips and advice
• 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
• Research common interview questions and think about how you would answer them.  Try YouTube to see what videos are available
• 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!!!
• Plan your journey.  Remember to leave enough time to allow for flight delays, rush hour traffic, locating the university and the building

• Go to bed early.  Don’t go out all night with friends before the big day, recharge your batteries with 8 hours of sleep

• Set off early, allowing time for delays on public transport and for finding the interview room
• 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
• Dress formally but age appropriate and comfortable as you may be there all day
• Switch off your mobile

• Make eye contact and present yourself positively by smiling and using positive body language
• Be focused in your answers and show your passion for the course and the university
• 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
• If you don’t understand something ask the interviewer to rephrase the question or to explain what they mean
• Give substantial answers but avoid waffle
• Listen carefully to the interviewer and the questions. Remember to answer what you are asked and not what you would like to be asked
• Relax and be yourself

• Don’t stress about what you have said and haven’t said
• Don’t immediately think because the interview was difficult you have done badly.  Interviews are often designed to challenge
• Take advantage of being at the university and look around
• Reflect on what you have learnt. Write down tips for other students and things you will do differently next time
• Finally look ahead and prepare yourself for the next interview