Cultivate Your Student’s Confidence & Soothe the Interview Jitters

It’s likely that school interviews are the first time a private school really gets to dig deeper and begin to get acquainted with your student. We also like to think of these interviews as an opportunity for students to learn more about the school and ask questions they might not have asked during an Open House or a previous campus visit.

We help students “frame” these interviews as conversations, as that’s really what they are! Conversations where both sides of the metaphorical table can both get to know each other.

Here’s how students can calm their nerves, build their confidence and prepare to be their best selves:

Rest Up!

It probably goes without saying, but sleep matters! Don’t let your student lose sleep by worrying about the questions they might have to answer. The most productive use of their time is to rest the night before their interview! Never underestimate the power of rest, especially if your student has multiple school interviews scheduled in a week.

Easy on the Calendar

It may sound like a good idea to pack your calendar full of school interviews within a week or two, yet the reality is that these interviews are exhausting! Ask any parent or student who has been through the process–it’s a lot and it’s tiring at that! Allowing space and time between interviews will help your student to reassess their questions, from one school to the next, to see if there is anything else they would like to add to their list of curiosities and questions.

This time between interviews also allows your student the chance to reflect on their school visits and absorb all that they are seeing. Give pause and room for them to think about the schools they are seeing, as it’s a lot to take in.

Don’t Prepare Too Much

Your student might be set on committing to memorizing their interview answers. It’s naturally where most kids go, as let’s face it….they usually have to memorize a lot in school anyways, right? Well, this is a different task as a rote response is not a good idea. Help your student to see that memorized answers actually sound like they are canned and not genuine, and we are striving for authenticity and excellence, not perfection!

It’s best if your student spends time working through a few of the main bullet points of their answers. That will help the conversation flow more easily, and allow the student to leave room for any thoughts they want to add mid interview, or even questions they have.

Use Storytelling

Instead of giving yes or no answers, adding detail goes a long way. Elaborating on the questions asked and using personal examples can help the school get to know more about your student. I always tell my clients that I want them to “paint a picture” with their words, so that I can envision what they are thinking, sharing, and telling!

Encourage your student to remember the power of eye contact and smiling too. This helps your student present much naturally and smiling leads us to laughter and laughter helps relax the soul!

Express Your Interest

It’s likely that your student will only interview with schools they are really interested in. While that may be obvious to them, it’s not always clear to the school! For your student to show that they are interested in the school, make sure they come prepared. We recommend they have two to three school-specific questions ready for the interviewer. For example:

• Do the English classes include creative writing at your school?

• I know you have a theater program. Can sixth-graders participate as well?

• I’ve always wanted to learn lacrosse and your lax team is good! Can I start from scratch as a beginner player?

Thank you, thank you!

Sending a thank you is a must! This small act can really go a long way! As much as it’s tempting, resist writing it for your student. Encourage your child to add a few specific or personal touches from their interview or visit into their thank you note or email. This helps the school see that you are all interested in learning more about their community!

After running through this list, your student should be prepared to tackle any school interview that comes their way! What are we missing? What do you think we should add to the list?