Adapted with permission from Roger C. Effron 1. Your interview is the time to sell yourself to a potential college.  Prior to even stepping foot in the building that houses your interview, remember to: A. Study you.  You must know yourself.  If you are really going to sell yourself you have to know what to offer.  Review your resume.  What are your strengths?  What knowledge do you have?  What are the skills that you possess?  What abilities do you have?  How do you characterize your work record?  If you really know your "product", you will go into the interview with greater confidence. B. Know something about your potential school/scholarship/employer.  Visit the library.  Ask a friend.  Make an attempt to know something about the college that may want to accept you.  List the key components of the school.  What do you think they are looking for?  Now match these key components with your knowledge, skills, and abilities. Take a dry run to the interview location is you are unfamiliar with the area and its parking arrangements.  Take extra copies of your resume with you.  It is advisable to take along something to do in the event that your interviewer is running late.  Sitting in the waiting room only leads to further anxiety. 2. Be honest, convincing and believable.  Attempt to provide a response within a 90 second period, highlighting specific accomplishments. 3. Listen to the question.  Listening is essential throughout the interview.  If necessary, have the interviewer repeat or rephrase the question. 4. Demonstrate the human side...smile, voice inflection, sense of humor, and a warm handshake.   5. Put your whole body into the answer.  If you indicate that one of your key qualities is enthusiasm, show it! 6. Know your strengths as well as areas that could stand some improvement.  If you are asked for a weakness, focus on an area that could stand some improvement.  However, indicate what your improvement plan has been or will be (i.e. taking additional courses, training, etc.) 7. Don't be thrown off by a "poker face" interviewer.  Maintain your positive, confidence attitude throughout the interview. 8. Attempt to use concrete examples as much as possible.  Help the interviewer visualize what you have done. 9. Make your opening statement very impacting.  It will probably be in response to "Tell me about your background."  Rehearse your answer in front of a mirror.  Take the interviewer through a chronology of your work/school/volunteer record, focusing on key qualifications. 10. Just as important, be prepared to respond to "Why should we accept you (to this college) (for this scholarship)(for this position)?"  Again, focus your answer on your key qualifications.  This should be your summary answer, tying in much of what you have said throughout the interview. 11. Many colleges are using team interviews, do don't be surprised to see from 2-6 people.  Give good eye contact to all people.  Expect a variety of non-verbal responses.  Some will smile; some will be stoned faced; some will write a great deal. 12. If you have questions ask them...but make them sincere.  If you really want to know about the school environment, ask them. 13. You should walk away knowing the next step in the process.  If it is not indicated, ask what it is. 14. Write a follow-up note to the interviewer.  If you omitted a key point during the interview, include it with the note. 15.  You can only make one first impression...so make it count!  Remember the following to help make a good lasting impression on your interviewer: A firm handshake Eye contact Appropriate appearance Introduction Building a rapport with your interviewer Speak clearly Use appropriate non-verbal gestures Shows interest and enthusiasm in questions Has a knowledge of the school/scholarship/position Thanks interviewer Sends a thank you letter