Any tips for interview?

Mrs Garth Brooks

I applied to go back to college this year and i have been on their website and the interviews will be held in the last week of may. So i am guessing i will receive a time and date within the first 2 weeks of may. So just out of boredom waiting, i want to start preparing now.

By the time i get around, i am guessing alot of people on boards will have their interview over with and i would love to know the questions asked?

Any tips for the interview? What do i wear? Do i give the interviewers a handshake when i come in? What do i do?

looksee

It depends a bit on what sort of course you are applying for. If you are going for an art type course it will be more acceptable to be less formally dressed. However a smart version of your normal wear would be ok. Go for clean, tidy and have obviously taken a bit of care.

Again the questions will depend on the course, however you need to know:
why you want to do the course,
what it is about,
where you want your career to go
anything about yourself that shows you are suited to the course - experience, previous studies, hobby interests.

Genuine social interests/sports that show what kind of personality you have - don't invent interests, and try and get beyond 'socialising and listening to music'. If you say reading, be ready to discuss a book, music should mean you are prepared to discuss types of music, and so on.
If it is a computer related course the phrase 'I have always been interested in computers' could mean that you could build one from parts, or write a program. It usually means the person spends a lot of time on Facebook or Boards :rolleyes:

Mostly just be yourself, shake hands, be open and pleasant, make sure you have any paperwork with you - have originals and also photocopies of qualifications and cv so you can leave them.

Good luck.

Oh and read Larrianne's sticky at the top of the forum about applying as a mature student, masses of info there.

Mrs Garth Brooks

looksee wrote: »

It depends a bit on what sort of course you are applying for. If you are going for an art type course it will be more acceptable to be less formally dressed. However a smart version of your normal wear would be ok. Go for clean, tidy and have obviously taken a bit of care.

Again the questions will depend on the course, however you need to know:
why you want to do the course,
what it is about,
where you want your career to go
anything about yourself that shows you are suited to the course - experience, previous studies, hobby interests.

Genuine social interests/sports that show what kind of personality you have - don't invent interests, and try and get beyond 'socialising and listening to music'. If you say reading, be ready to discuss a book, music should mean you are prepared to discuss types of music, and so on.
If it is a computer related course the phrase 'I have always been interested in computers' could mean that you could build one from parts, or write a program. It usually means the person spends a lot of time on Facebook or Boards :rolleyes:

Mostly just be yourself, shake hands, be open and pleasant, make sure you have any paperwork with you - have originals and also photocopies of qualifications and cv so you can leave them.

Good luck.

Oh and read Larrianne's sticky at the top of the forum about applying as a mature student, masses of info there.

That is great. I have a list of questions prepared already. You mention i should bring copies of qualifications and cv with me also. Should i also include copies of non-accredited courses e.g. distance learning course (it is kind of relevant). Should i bring references also?

farfromthegrave

I applied as a mature student this year and sat a couple of interviews already...

I went dressed quite formally but not over the top. Shake hands and SMILE . They can see that people are nervous but they will take it into account.

One of the most important things is to know the course inside out, they were very impressed with my knowledge of the course I applied for and I think (I hope) this made a lasting impression!

Just read Larianne's tips and make sure you tie everything you need to say into your answers!

Also, in all my interviews I was asked did I want to tell them anything that they hadn't asked me, be prepared for this one


Good Luck!

looksee

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

That is great. I have a list of questions prepared already. You mention i should bring copies of qualifications and cv with me also. Should i also include copies of non-accredited courses e.g. distance learning course (it is kind of relevant). Should i bring references also?

Yes, bring relevant information. Does the course require references? If it does then be prepared, but if there is no mention of them then you don't need them. If you have some of the letter type (open) references no harm to have them in your folder, but only for if you are asked for them.

El Horseboxo

I had mine last week for International Relations in DCU and got accepted today. The interview was very relaxed and came off more like a chat about the course and myself. First question was just to tell them a bit about myself. Didn't give them a life story and went quickly into directing my answer towards how i'm the type of person that would like the course. Such as i liked to read, always had a fascination with the world around me, etc. I was asked what aspect of the course i liked and if there was anything i may find difficult. Also why i picked DCU and the course. Also asked if i thought there were any points from my previous degree or work experience that would benefit on this course. That was pretty much it from their end. The remainder was spent on my questions which were about the time table, book or reading list, the library, when will i find out if successful etc. No need to worry too much about it and just try to relax and smile. I wore slacks and a shirt but no tie. They were pretty casual in their dress.

A bit of advice i'd give is don't try script replies off. Because if you forget mid sentence you will feel lost and they will know. Happened a friend of mine who blew his interview because he tried to anticipate what he'd be asked and wrote out answers for them. But slight variation in the questions threw him. Just read up about the course and know why you want to do it. They'll expect you to be a bit nervous but once you can answer those 2 questions well your interview should be on its way to being a really good attempt.

Larianne

Be yourself and use your own words.

Good Luck!

Mrs Garth Brooks

Have been preparing and rang the college about the interviews. Il be getting a letter the week after next. A week before the interview. Not alot of time really, but been preparing and i think im ok with everything except im not sure how to answer a couple of questions.

When they ask about the workload, would it be ok to throw in something about distance learning course i did and how it helped me with time management and what not.

Another question is do i know how much science is involved? I applied for an animal care course and there is anatomy and physiology module involved. I didn't do a science subject in school, so is it ok to say that you've been reading up on it, which i have. I have a book already!

Larianne

Yes yes yes to all your questions!!

Definitely mention the distance learning course. That in itself speaks volumes on how you can self motivate to learn and time manage! Excellent!

Also, definitely mention the book you're reading about Science. It shows you have an interest and you are doing your research about the course. You could tell them about any areas you are finding interesting in the book.

Tell them anything that shows you are taking a great interest in the course and that you've researched the course really well and know what you are applying for.

Sounds all good to me.

Mrs Garth Brooks

Woohoo, got an interview. In 2 weeks time. Getting nervous even thinking about it, now.

They didn't ask me to bring qualifications. Should i bring them anyway?

Larianne

Nope. You won't need them. They might ask you for them when you get the place. They'll have all the info they need.

Best of luck!!