tips for interview

Nervous for your first interview? Worried that you can’t get a scholarship?

Well here are a few tips that I can share with you on how to go through your interview- as easy as cheesecake!

Here, I’ll explain what type of interviews are being held out there- and tips on how to go through them, with style!

Group Interviews

• Usually not more than 5 per interview, and usually more than 1 interviewer (maybe 3)

• Usually they will all ask you the same questions, but they will start giving random questions as well.

• These type interviews are held to test out how you handle yourself in a group, at the same time see whether you can hold your own and be eye-catching enough for the interviewers to like you.

• The most common mistake that people make in a group interview is either be too aggressive and impolite or be too passive

• If you rush in to answer all the questions, and don’t let the interviewers hear answers from other members of your group, you’re not giving room for the interviewers to compare. You’ll also annoy them.

• If you let people take advantage of you, and don’t try to strike hard enough to make a good enough impression. The interviewers might just think that you’re not really interested.

Important Tips : Be friendly. Stand out as a nice person, NOT as an arrogant person. Answer the questions, and when your friends are talking, look at them and try to add on a response. Take turns, and also appreciate others talking. So you still give your idea, and still become nice!

Task Interview

• This is the kind of interview, where your sponsors give you a ‘task’ usually as a group, or in pairs.

• For example, they put you in a group of ten and ask you to solve a company problem relating environmental problems.

• First of all, you have to understand, they don’t want to see who’s the smartest. They just want to know how good you are, working with a team. Being a team player. So that’s what you have to prove.

• A good team player, always PASSES the ball. This means, you give your ideas, and also listen to hear people’s ideas. Your good at making people like you. Know how to push away other people’s ideas nicely, and how to forward your own.

Important Tips: Don’t try to stress yourself out on winning, or getting your point across. (though it’s bonus marks). Because when your too stressed out, you’ll look like you can’t handle pressure and are very sloppy.

Single One-To-One Interviews

• These kind of interviews are one of the most feared ones, but it’s one of the easiest! The interviewer has his attention totally preoccupied on you for ten to thirty solid minutes, and it’s up to you to blow his mind away!

• Usually there are one or two interviewers (sometimes three), and you enter a room to be interviewed.

They Will Ask You Two Types Of Questions

• Self-Description

Questions you can prepare. Like how to describe yourself. What do you know about the sponsor/ company. What do you want to do in your future. Why do you want to study law. Usually direct questions. But don’t be fooled. Sometimes these questions look easy, but giving an unimpressive answer will hurt your chances.

Example: Why do you want to study law?

A bad answer: “Because I don’t know what else to study.”

A good answer: “Because I’m good at comparing and I believe in justice for everyone.”

You can prepare this at home and ask your friends to ask you questions. Then you answer. And they comment afterwards for you to improve.

• Problem Solving Questions

Like how to solve the Accident crisis in Malaysia. Or issues about students studying abroad. Usually these questions are closely related to you. They ask this question to test your sense of maturity and critical thinking. They will give you a hard situation to solve. Don’t panic, just think.

Essays

• There are some sponsors who will ask you to submit essays before interviewing. Use this advantage to write a spectacular piece and really impress them!

Generally What You Should Prepare Before Every Interview?

• Your Clothes

What you where to an interview is what gives the interviewer a window to who you are. Are you sloppy? Professional? Most people wear blazers to interviews. You can also where other formal dresses that are appropriate- like vest, baju kurung, nice collar shirt.

Don’t try to overdo it though (with too much make up, or overly groomed hair) - wearing too much will make you look fake, and not genuine.

• Your Resume.

Yes, your resume. Some students who are active in extra co-curriculum activities, have this tendency to put every certificate in their files.

CHOOSE. Which certificate gives you the better edge in the interview. (Example: First prize in public speaking. Second in International essay writing contest, etc)

Make a simple resume, and over view of what you’ve joined, what position you once held. And put it in the front page. This will help interviewers know important things about you, easily.

• Your Schedule- BE ON TIME

The worst mistake you could do is coming late to an interview. Check your schedule, the date of the interview, and be sure to be on time.

• Have Self-Confidence

Practice in front of a mirror. This will help you get used to the idea of talking about yourself. Self-confidence isn’t a gift, it’s a practiced skill. Look for tips on gaining self confidence.

• Know Your Support

It really helps to have your own support group, who gives you the motivation to continued in the interview. That’s why it’s important to have your parent’s blessings. At least when you’re having a nervous block during the interview- their words of encouragement will help you. Truly.

Last of all, BE YOURSELF. I always suggest to people to try out every interview you can- for the sake of experience at least. But in the end, you have to really think whether or not you want to study in a particular course or not. Because in the end, you can get a scholarship- but it will be a challenge for you to fully benefit from it.

My best wishes to you anyway.

credits to:PERMAI

Khusus untuk adik2 yang bakal melanjutkan pelajaran dan ingin mendapatkan biasiswa seperti MARA dan JPA.ALL THE BEST =)