Most alumni interviewers will have a short prepared speech about their background and experience at the school. Be sure to review our blog on how to prepare for your med school interviewfor the best strategies a… If your college offers alumni interviews, you should take advantage of the opportunity. It can also be helpful to review the essays or other materials you submitted when you applied because they will often be available to the interviewer and many interviewers leverage that to structure the conversation. In this article, you’ll find advice that’s tailored to new college graduates and early-career job seekers. a high ranking or high average salary of graduates), be sure to go beyond that. Practice maintaining eye contact, avoiding nervous tics, smiling frequently, and controlling non-verbal communication. I ask, "would you like to know about me personally or professionally?". If they haven’t had a chance to visit the college, take a virtual tour. 8. The same can be said for optional essays, demonstrated interest (for colleges that are into that), sending scores at test optional schools, declaring a major vs undecided, etc. Make sure it doesn't sound like a random choice. Some handled the questions well, while others floundered. Here is a great tell me about yourself interview answer example. Make sure you have contact info to send a follow up thank you email later that day or the next day. Shortly after that, their attention begins to wane. In the comments below, I've listed some common examples and some advice for how to approach each of these. Finally, if you're interested in an interview prep package, mock interview, or other help, PM me or find me at www.bettercollegeapps.com. Press J to jump to the feed. The secret for this is simple – just ask about things you actually want to know and make a brief effort to find out for yourself in advance. Although the “tell me about yourself” prompt may seem vague, there are specific things the interviewer wants to learn about you as a candidate, while other aspects of your life may be irrelevant and even inappropriate to mention. Usually these will be arranged individually between you and the alumnus at a local coffee shop, library, bookstore, or park. Alumni know what the college's culture and student body are like and they are generally well-equipped to make these assessments. They ask questions like this because they have no idea of how to gauge just who you are. At a minimum you should go through lists like these and think through what your answers will be. thanks! But it does make them less awkward and unnatural. You probably won't actually take any notes, but it makes you look invested and engaged. Answer by telling them relevant information about you as it pertains to the job you are being hired for. Don't give basic info about where you're from, what you do in school, or anything too directly related to your application. Think about this question as if a room of 30 students is being asked and you have to say something that will make you stand out. Real interviews also put a sort of pressure on you to unconsciously try to perform well that mock interviews do not. Start out strong. You can also search Google or online forums for advice or comments from students who have already been through the process. Selective colleges get many applications with high stats and reject many of them. As I mentioned at the beginning, some schools prefer to be very casual and conversational in their alumni interviews. Just make sure you actually follow through with it because a surprising number of students don't. r/AskReddit is the place to ask and answer thought-provoking questions. By Jeff Gillis. Know Yourself It sounds like a silly concept, but knowing yourself (or at least knowing the self that you want to present to an interviewer) is critical. I’m astonished at the amount of effort he puts in, without asking for publicity for a company or something. Keep in mind that it's fine to take some time to think before responding. Handwritten notes are ok too, but no matter what your grandma says emails are sufficient. Lead off with a few things you like about the school or what initially caught your eye. The admission rate for students who interview is often significantly higher. Same thing with these kinds of interview questions. Bring a professional looking folder or portfolio binder with some paper for taking notes if needed. Here's a really helpful link to their interviewer instructions. Your hobby, something you enjoy to do, anything interesting you done lately. Take advantage of the interview opportunity. Stanford). (I work at a coffee shop where I have an employee discount, and this will be where the interview is taking place). Different people put different weight on first impressions and etiquette, so it's best to make them count. And don’t worry if you lack relevant experience. A mock interview will give you a better feel for what it will be like to respond live. In place of "I don't know / I'm not sure", try "You know I've thought about that a lot and I'm hoping for an answer but I'm not sure right now.". Overall, when you practice your answer, you want to tell a great story about yourself that you can share in no more than two minutes. It's ok to mention unimpressive things like Fortnite or fantasy football, but don't dwell on those. Ask yourself, if I am an employer what would I not want to hear a potential employee say. Graduate school interviews allow university staff to evaluate your potential to succeed in their program. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. In this article, you’ll learn what this question is really about. 5. That's your answer. If you're a quality applicant (which most are), all of that will help you. Since admission to any one college is very nearly a zero sum game, any edge you don't gain is functionally equivalent to taking a penalty or disadvantage. This is the ideal time to ask one of the questions you've prepared. What makes you different/more outstanding than other applicants? may seem like one of the easier job interview questions you'll be asked. Instead, try to connect. Ask me about my time at college, but don't ask me about my profession, family life, etc. Some colleges extend offers for interviews to applicants while others require the applicant to request one or sign up to initiate the process. It can be simple and attainable, just make sure you are able to show how it will be meaningful to you and that you've put some thought into it. Tips to Answer “Tell me something that is not on your resume” Interview Question: When you are asked “tell us something that is not on your resume”, then the first thing that comes to your mind is –” now what else do you want to hear from me? The applicants were sets of twins (so the interviewer couldn't make judgements about looks). Go through the school's website, check out their Wikipedia page, and read some guides (e.g. I do not recommend eating anything (unless it's specifically a dinner or lunch interview) because that can be awkward and get in the way of conversation. Check out Yelp reviews of nearby attractions, local businesses, and restaurants. Is it okay to bring in a list of questions that I want to ask? Ultimately the story should conclude by explaining how you came to be applying for this job. She also didn’t demonstrate any specific knowledge of my college. You can’t change the amount of experience you have or which TEFL course you took (although you can make them stand out with a first-class CV), but you can control the light in which this experience is seen by an interviewer. However the college does it, be courteous and timely in responding - the pre-interview communication should be treated as part of the interview itself because first impressions are very important. We get a lot of high quality applications. Be confident and be relaxed. Everybody should be comfortable talking about themselves, and I don't want you stressing out so early in the interview. But for some strange reason, nearly every interviewer can agree that giving a good answer to the question “Tell Me About Yourself” during a job interview can be one of the toughest and most stressful things to do. Penn recommends wearing the sort of clothes you might wear to give a presentation at school while Stanford suggests you just wear what you normally wear to school. Try to remember that many interviewers are often as nervous as you are. The biggest question they seek to answer is "Will this student be a good fit at our school?" So, let’s get started. Show, don’t tell. Someone has linked to this thread from another place on reddit: [r/u_reallysickdud] Guide to Confident Alumni Interviews, If you follow any of the above links, please respect the rules of reddit and don't vote in the other threads. Often you will find out who your interviewer is beforehand. This report will be added to your admissions file and will be reviewed by your admissions officer or committee. When I'm negative in my reports it's because the candidate is either superficial in interests, full of crap, or problematic as a potential roommate (I had one candidate who was borderline racist). Prepare a list of questions about the interviewer's experience at the school and other personal details too. If you find yourself jittery, simply acknowledge it and move forward. Yet, job seekers will go into an interview without knowing anything about the company, the person they’re speaking with, and even the industry. For alumni interviews, this is mostly on the non-academic side. Share why it's your dream school or one of your top choices. (EDIT: Many of these may no longer be functioning), Penn Principles of Good Practice: https://www.alumni.upenn.edu/s/1587/gid2/16/interior.aspx?sid=1587&gid=2&pgid=1147&sitebuilder=1&contentbuilder=1, Penn Sample Interview Questions: https://www.alumni.upenn.edu/s/1587/gid2/16/interior.aspx?sid=1587&gid=2&pgid=8156&sitebuilder=1&contentbuilder=1, https://www.alumni.upenn.edu/s/1587/gid2/16/interior.aspx?sid=1587&gid=2&sitebuilder=1&pgid=13330, Penn Mock Interviews: https://www.alumni.upenn.edu/s/1587/gid2/16/interior.aspx?sid=1587&gid=2&pgid=8155, Penn Instructions for Interviewers: https://www.alumni.upenn.edu/s/1587/gid2/16/interior.aspx?sid=1587&gid=2&sitebuilder=1&pgid=13274#panel5, Stanford Interview Site: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/freshman/interviews.html, Business Insider Article on Harvard Interviews: https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-harvard-interviewer-shares-the-questions-she-typically-asked-in-the-interview-2016-10. How you respond to the “Tell me about yourself” question can set the tone for the rest of the interview. Tell me about yourself. And to extrapolate - never let the first thing out of your mouth be, "I don't know" or "I'm not sure", etc. Don't put other people down – stay positive and focused on what makes you great. This can go a long way in getting them to like you and think that you're a good fit for the college. Not just college apps, but also job interviews and club interviews (in college). 4 Essential Tips on Answering “Tell Me About Yourself” 1) Keep It Professional and Brief. June 2014 edited June 2014 in College Search & Selection. This is exactly what I'm looking for, although I tend to phrase it "So, tell me how you came to be sitting in front of me today.". And it should be one of the easiest questions to answer — because you can anticipate and prepare for it — but, just as commonly, it’s one of the most anxiety-provoking and confusing questions. If your clothing or eye contact suggests problems in dealing with others, I may note it but certain colleges may like uniqueness. But being friendly, open and charming will do wonders for you. Keep the answer to under 60 seconds and focus on how your skills and personality traits are … Look at the people and work out what they want to hear. Some good ideas for questions might include asking about: Their experiences in school and since graduating, Their favorite traditions or lesser known facts about the college, Their impression of the alumni network or their continued connection to their school, Things they wish someone had told them when they were applying. Start by talking about what makes you distinctive. Do a virtual campus tour or make your own on Google Earth. Attention! Being sincere and engaged is more important than being smooth or impressive. Show your personality, ask questions, and demonstrate that you are the kind of student they would have wanted to be friends with when they were in college. It should be evident that you've given some thought or exploration to this. This is not an interview designed to see how well you solve problems or to invoke a display of your academic and intellectual prowess. Why do colleges say that it won't hurt you to no take the interview, when it seems like it does though? Consider the applicant as a prospective Penn student, a fellow roommate, classmate, dining hall companion, and friend." That said, if you say you want to major in finance, or want to join the orchestra, make sure the school offers a finance major or has an orchestra. The answer to this should be customized person to person BUT I can tell you what not to say. Visit some of their affiliated pages on social media. Thanks for your cooperation and enjoy the discussion! At the end, tell us which one you'd most like to hire. For instance you might not want to say "In my free time my friends and I go out bar hoping” that could be a red flag that you are going to call in sick on me when you over do it some night. So make the interview enjoyable. Tell them you have a long term plan or that you are working towards something...they love people who make plans for the future. You can use fillers and non-verbal cues like "Hmmm…" to indicate that you understood the question and are contemplating a response. Sure, you won't be directly penalized if you don't do those. There is conflicting information on whether you should look them up on Facebook or LinkedIn to get a sense for their background and help focus the questions and conversation. You could fairly assume that this will be a mix of positives and negatives. These, too, are negatives. College Interview: Tell Me About Yourself. The other twin was the opposite. Learn college interview tips and strategies to crush your university interview. People on Reddit shared the toughest questions they've ever had to answer in an interview, from "Can you tell me a joke?" Check the college's interview site to see if they have a preference. “Tell me about yourself,” is one of the most frequently asked questions in an interview. the Fiske Guide to Colleges) to get a starting frame of reference. According to the experts at Yale University's Office of Career Strategy, the best answers to "Tell me about yourself" all follow a simple formula. If the thing that first brought the school to your attention is shallow (e.g. My take on this is: (1) I don't care much about what you wear (jeans are fine) or how firm your handshake is. We’ll show you a tried-and-tested formula for structuring your answer. Just be honest and tell the story. Want to see a trick?" they are not trying to make it hard for you and everyone who does interviews knows how hard it is. 6. She did no prior research. You want to show depth and passion but focusing on those seems cold and mercenary. Tell us what makes you unique. Some students have even been asked about a single word choice from one of their essays. It's can also be a good idea to go deeper by talking about why you have the interests you have or how you see your interests playing out later in life. What I really want to hear from you when I ask this question is more or less a brief overview of your professional life, and possibly anything you do in your personal life that can tie into what I'm interviewing you for. They may ask if you want anything to drink or eat. People pay strongest attention when first listening to a voice. Remember, the college interview is an opportunity for admissions officers to get to know you and see if you would truly be a good fit for their school. If you see others posting comments that violate this tag, please report them to the mods! Yep. I always mention how balance is a good thing. To get some more direction though, it can be helpful to dig deeper. And every year they will accept many students who didn't interview. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, Penn specifically requests that you DON'T so that the conversation is more natural. I would reach out now just to ask. Yep, that's totally fine. When the interview is done, shake hands firmly while maintaining eye contact, and thank them for taking the time to meet with you. Talk about how even though that's what first caught your eye, you were encouraged and affirmed by the additional research you've done. A few will be very negative and will result in a deferral or rejection. I can also see how well prepared you are with this question to, and I can gauge the rest of the interview based off of it. The most frequently asked “about you” interview questions include: 1. I may ask why you want to attend, or what you want to major in, but I'm more interested in your thought process and your interests than in your specific reasons. 1. Tarahific 111 replies 42 threads Junior Member. Answer wrong, and the interviewer thinks, next! That being the case... Let the absolute first group of sentences out of your mouth be about your positive qualities. But for many candidates it can be tricky—either they're too modest in their response or they don't highlight those strengths that most closely match the job requirements. You can offer if you want, but they will probably refuse. Talk instead about your personality, what you like to do, or something actually interesting about yourself. I start off with my school experience, internships, then work experience. As an overall approach to the interview, you should think about what makes you special (whether it's your accomplishments, your interests, or your personality), and make sure I leave the interview understanding your specialness. Choke, and someone else gets that fat job, 401k and flexible hours. Interview tomorrow. this is a blessing, How bad is it to buy the interviewer a cup of coffee? Today, we’ll prepare you for your interview by reviewing the most common interview questions and answers. In fact, it’s usually the first one. Quick video on how to answer the interview question, tell me about yourself? His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others. Don't be put off by this – go with the flow. Note that some colleges actually request that you NOT bring a resume or other application materials because they want the interview to be a natural and personal conversation (e.g. Start strong by looking them in the eye and giving them a firm handshake. After this, they will go through a list of questions. They will remember "this is a guy who thinks a lot", not "he doesn't know". As a general rule, your questions should be about things that can't be answered through a Google search or through the school's website. Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Prepare a “preview” of your accomplishments, achievements, interests and strengths, your “talking points”, the foundation for your campaign to get the offer. You can even say something about how you're really excited about the school and would love to have the opportunity to interview and meet an alumnus. Give them a feel for the kind of person you are. There's not a lot to this question and it's often used as build up to other questions or to get the conversation flowing. i have an interview tonight! Your interviewer does … Your answer should make the interviewer interested in going deeper, so don't respond like it's a boring documentary. Most of these forms will be very similar with little that actually differentiates one student from another. Beginning at the end of this month I'll start doing interviews at various colleges (mostly LACs). A student should read up on the literature of the college to which he or she is interviewing. Remember that alumni volunteer for these because they love their school, enjoy meeting prospective students, and want to contribute. I've done alumni interviews for several years. Indeed, the interviewer might simply say: “Tell me something about yourself.” These types of personal questions are often the most difficult to answer because you want to be able to share the positive aspects of your personality and your achievements without sounding like you are bragging. Similarly, don't fire off a bunch of impressive sounding test scores/GPA/class rank stats. If they offer to buy you a coffee, you can accept if you like but you don't have to. But like letters of recommendation, the vast majority will simply say that the student had a nice personality, seemed very accomplished and bright, and would be a pretty good fit for the school. Even introverts tend to have good experiences with these. Basically, give me a quick rehash of your resume, expound on a couple key points that you think I should be keying in on, and (this is most important) be enthusiastic. Don't wear jeans and a t-shirt or a business suit. Don’t go overboard with fragrances. Get answers to questions like: what to expect at a college interview, interview questions and answers, what to wear for a college interview, do interviews help college admissions, and more. You make excellent points and a lot of that rolls up into the fact that interviews are handled differently at different schools. Tell them your actual strengths, job experience, tell a story that shows your integrity and good points. Also don't care if you bring a portfolio/resume . It’s a teeth-chattering interview question. Review this before the interview so you're prepared to talk about it if asked. (2) Similarly, I don't care about thank you notes. In general, the more casual it is, the less preparation and such are necessary. That's a skill, and especially doing it in a verbal way. woo, this is a real hack I can use. The challenge, however, is that knowing yourself and articulating your identity in a … You can talk about ideas, movements, or beliefs that you're interested in if you want to, but don't be dogmatic, argumentative, or pushy. I don't care about the fact that you were on the JV track team, or that you're really interested in homebrewing beer (both of these have come up). What Colleges Look for in Alumni Interviews, New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the ApplyingToCollege community. Make sure you know where you're meeting and how to get there. And, in some ways, it is. Why should I go through the effort, time, and anxiety of an interview? Remember that interviewers go through training and have probably conducted many interviews so they're probably pretty good at guiding the conversation naturally. The easiest way to do this is to use an example from your background and experience. Whenever I ask this question I do it as a little bit of a warm up question, and also as a way to get you to relax. Talk instead about your personality, what you like to do, or something actually interesting about yourself. This could be an interest you have and how you pursued it, or a unique combination of interests you have, or an outstanding accomplishment. Where do you see yourself 5 or 10 years from now? Some job interview questions go far beyond the expected, "Why do you want to work here?" Introduce yourself and briefly thank them for meeting with you. Employers like to give jobs to people who will appreciate it. Now that we’ve covered the key steps to answering, “tell me about yourself,” let’s look at some full answer examples to this interview question. Check out our posts for helping students and counselors with the personal statement, supplemental essays, the UC Personal Insight Questions, the Common App, financial aid, & more. I've included some helpful links here. Tell me about a time you struggled or failed at something. What are the best ways to answer the question: Tell me about yourself? "What is your greatest strength?" It can be very helpful to do your own "mock interview" before the real thing. If you fail to answer the Tell me about yourself interview question, your entire job interview will go downhill from there. The hero we need, don’t deserve. They can only gain so much insight from your written application. Also bring a copy of your resume (including complete list of your accomplishments, activities, awards, etc) so you can give it to them if they ask or if you deem it would be helpful. And that’s not an encouraging thought. If you do submit a thank you note, I will feel free to quote from it in my report, so make sure what you say is on point. Talk about your interests, but don’t just regurgitate the EC section of your application because the interviewer probably has that in front of them. Most interviewers will be impressed with your preparation. So you’re telling me I shouldn’t whip out my JUUL even if the alumni looks like an absolute fiend? Why do you want to attend college here? Now that we’ve covered the basics on how to answer “tell me about yourself,” we’re going to cover several essential tips that can help you stand out even more. At the end, tell us which one you'd most like to hire. Questions about specific details of your ECs, Recs, awards, essays, or other application materials. Sometimes you will find common interests, acquaintances, or other connections you can mention in the interview. (6) I would never ask a question like "What makes you different/more outstanding than other applicants," but you should think about the answer.