Tips For Interviews

The following tips can be used to help you convince the interviewer that he wants you in his department!

• Prepare the sort of things you would like to say at some stage in the interview, but not as a strict script.
• Ensure that you are entirely familiar with contents of the prospectus and subject leaflets, particularly about the course you have applied for. Have a good reason for wanting to be admitted to that particular course.
• If you know anyone who has gone to the university (and the department in particular), try and get in touch and get useful tips.
• Dress tidily, but comfortably. Avoid excessively formal dress (you may well be spending all day at the university), but also avoid scruffy clothing. It may be acceptable, but why take the risk?
• Plan to arrive early; you may be delayed on the way, and you may find it hard to find the right place.
• Remember that you are applying for an academic course and conduct yourself accordingly. Nothing wrong with a bit of humour from time to time, but an interview is not the place to be flippant.
• Maintain eye contact and avoid irritating or distracting mannerisms. Watch for clues from your interviewer - is he giving you an encouraging nod or looking at his watch. Learn about positive body language - for example, don't cross your legs or slide down in your chair.
• Avoid monosyllabic answers and all negative comments - especially about school, teachers, work and other subjects.
• Show that you have a mind of your own, but avoid aggressive or arrogant answers.
• You may well have to justify or talk intelligently about anything that you put on the personal statement in your UCAS form. Make sure you have studied a copy of it to remind yourself what you put in it.
• Read a quality newspaper for at least a week before the interview so that you can show an intelligent interest in current affairs.
• Don't waffle or attempt to bluff. If you don't know the answer to a question, admit it openly. Try at all times to be honest, thoughtful (there is no problem with a pause before answering a question whilst you collect your thoughts), unpretentious and enthusiastic.
• And finally... switch off your mobile phone!