College interview tips | Your university interview checklist!

The moment of the truth has arrived: you are about to be interviewed for your application to study at a foreign university. The thought of an interview makes most students feel incredibly nervous. Universities use platforms such as Skype, Google, or Whatsapp to conduct interviews with international students. Face-to-face interviews are by themselves something to be worried about, but when technology gets in the way, the challenges double. This can truly increase your levels of anxiety. Following these upcoming college interview tips will go a long way to help you ace your interview.

What’re the challenges I might face?

Sometimes during video or Skype calls, you can’t even see the face of the person asking you questions. So, you don’t fully understand the interviewer’s body language. And you’re unsure if what you are saying and the way you speak is playing for or against you.

At other times, your interview is actually a group discussion. The mediator from the university initiates conversations with a group of students and asks questions. Those who are more involved in the conversation and communicate well go forward. Being in this situation, speaking with your competitors, and knowing that everyone won’t get selected can make you nervous.

But the right preparation can solve those worries. If you get prepared with anticipation, you can manage your words and express your thoughts coherently. Your end goal is to convince your interviewer that you are a fitting candidate to study in the institution. In this article, we provide you with some fantastic tips to help you overcome your fears. Find out how to be confident while chatting with the interviewer across a computer or your phone!

Here’s your checklist of college interview tips:

Prepare your answers to the basic questions

Before the meeting, it is a good idea to ask yourself in advance what sort of questions you are likely to be asked. This will help you have better manage your emotions during the interview. Prepare your answers to some of these basic university interview questions.

These include-

• Tell me about yourself
• Why did you choose this course?
• What’re your favorite subjects?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What are your career plans?
• Why did you choose this university?
• Tell me why you are a good fit for this college?

Basically, you have to know who you are and why you’re doing what you’re doing.

Test your equipment

Have your phone/computer fully charged and ensure your camera and other equipment works in an optimal way. Technical interruptions during interviews tend to have a negative effect on the interviewer. So, don’t forget to test your speakers beforehand. Also, a good internet connection is recommended.

Set up your location

Fix a place where you will take your interview. Do practice sessions using the same place, chair, and table that you will be using at that time. This will program your mind and help reduce your stress. Also, ensure that nobody enters this room during your interview.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Have a friend (or someone you trust) rehearse the interview with you. Ask them to not only evaluate your responses but also your voice, tone, and expressions. The best way is to ask them to score you on a scale of 10 on your confidence, clarity, expressions, and overall thought process.

However, it’s better to have someone experienced take your practice interviews. So, if you can’t find someone, you can always try our Video Interview Analyser tool. It will ask you questions, monitor your responses, and even tell you what you need to work on!

Your Plan B

Keep your thoughts next to you on a small piece of paper. At some point during the interview, if you forget something, you can refer to that piece of paper. In this manner, you can be easily back on track with just a little nudge. Don’t worry, the interviewer will appreciate your preparedness and won’t judge you. Everyone’s been through this and I’m sure your interviewer had interview anxiety themselves at some point.

Also, I suggest you prepare your own list of college interview questions to ask. You can refer to it when they say “Do you have any questions for me?”

Dress appropriately

If the interview is conducted through Skype, get dressed for the occasion, as you would for any normal interview. Through the camera, the interviewer may notice more than you think. So, the way you look is very important. Don’t pair your college interview outfit with a tie (men) or a suit. It is good to show up in business casuals. If you need more help, you can try this link.

Hydrate and chill out

After all, you have nothing to lose. Take the interview with a pinch of salt. The interviewer is under as much pressure as you are. Friendlier casual conversations lead to better results. So, just be comfortable. Drink enough water and breathe deeply before you start your interview. Sitting in a power pose for a few minutes before the interview will also help you a lot!

Now, this one comes last, but it’s just as important as the other college interview tips – get a good amount of sleep the night before your interview. No caffeine. No binge-watching Netflix. Just relax, meditate, and go to bed.

We’re sure you will impress the interviewer if you follow these college interview tips. Do you want a more customized assessment for your interview? iSchoolConnect can make it happen!

 Our extensive platform, always updated with the newest offers, requirements, and procedures for students all over the world who want to study abroad has a user-friendly system that gets you in touch with the most prestigious universities, academies, and colleges and makes available for you an accurate and reliable first glance on what these institutions are and what they expect from their applicants. We provide you with all the information and assessment you need to be successful during your application and interview, so to increase exponentially your chances to be accepted. Allow yourself the opportunity to become a citizen of the world through us. Join us!

WRITTEN BY

Akanksha Vora

Study Abroad Expert

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